It’s Here

The Kemmerer family’s reverence for Wyoming is shaping what comes next.

Wyoming is a marvel. The final stronghold of the untamed West. One of the nation’s best-kept secrets.

Here, we have it all.

Each year, people from around the world feel called to Yellowstone National Park, to the Tetons, to Devils Tower. Some are beckoned by the unbridled wilderness — most return for our Western hospitality. Even in the spaces between our landmarks, in the vast stretches of rural nothingness, one is privy to some of the darkest skies in the country. There’s nothing quite like stargazing in the Forever West. Here is where true adventure begins.

It comes as no surprise that tourism is Wyoming’s second-largest industry. The sector’s success as an economic cornerstone can, in large measure, be traced back to the vision and investment of one family whose roots run deep into the red soil of the Equality State.

Beginning in the 1890s, Mahlon S. Kemmerer, having previously been involved in his family’s mining operations back East, made the decision to expand his efforts westward. Mahlon established mines in southwest Wyoming, and in 1897, the town of Kemmerer was founded.

Jay Kemmerer, great-grandson of Mahlon, always believed he would one day take the reins of the family mines, just as his father, John L. Kemmerer Jr. had before him. However, in the early 1980s, John announced that it was time to sell, ending the family’s 90-year history in the Wyoming coal industry.

“I felt in my heart I should find a way for our family to make a reinvestment in Wyoming because of the success Wyoming had created for us in the coal business,” Jay says.

Jay became a board member of First Wyoming Bank, the largest banking institution in the state at the time, and chaired the investments committee, leading him to travel across Wyoming and deepen his knowledge of the state and its needs.

“As a board member, I was made aware of the financial situation that the Jackson Hole Ski Corp. was in and that they were looking for a buyer,” Jay says. “I was able to make the purchase in 1992. My goal was to build a successful business from it — a business that would contribute to Wyoming as well. Since buying, our family has continued to invest, growing the business and creating an important success for Wyoming.”

The Jackson Hole Ski Corp. was transformed into the world-renowned Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR), reshaping Wyoming’s economy and solidifying its status as a premier ski destination. Today, the Kemmerer family has invested more than $350 million into Wyoming’s tourism sector. Alongside the investment in JHMR, the family purchased the CM Ranch in 1997 — one of Wyoming’s oldest dude ranches and a frequent vacation spot for the Kemmerer family — with the goal of preserving its legacy and upholding Western hospitality traditions. Karen Kemmerer, Jay’s wife and an equally passionate advocate for Wyoming’s legacy, has played a key role in their family’s commitment to preserving the state’s traditions and investing in its future.

 “We meet so many people who say, ‘Jackson Hole is on my bucket list,’ or ‘I came here once and never wanted to leave.’ That’s what Wyoming does — it draws you in and becomes a part of you,” Karen says. “One of our guests at the CM Ranch once told me, ‘This is the only place I feel like I’m truly in America.’ That’s because Wyoming holds onto values that matter — family, freedom and a respect for the land.”

The Kemmerers’ relationship with the University of Wyoming began in 1992, with the John L. Kemmerer Jr. Scholarship — a program aimed at supporting top high school graduates from Kemmerer, Cokeville and Dubois through full-ride scholarships. Their hope was that these students would build their careers and raise their families within the state.

“We feel that the culture of Wyoming as the Equality State where we embrace the Code of the West allows the university to have a unique culture in attracting students not just from Wyoming but from across the country,” the Kemmerers say. “We could become a leading university in the country, not just because of the strong curricula we offer but because we embrace important values such as a strong work ethic and a love of country and of each other.”

The Kemmerer family also has established the Kemmerer Fellowship at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, providing vital support for UW graduate students as they work toward their professional aspirations. Additionally, Karen has made a significant impact through her service to the university. She has played an active role on the Haub School Advisory Board, contributed to the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Advisory Committee and participated in the working group on freedom of expression.

Most recently, the Kemmerers have made a groundbreaking $5 million gift to the WORTH Initiative, transforming it into the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. Their vision is to enhance, expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy by fostering growth in outdoor recreation, tourism and the hospitality industries. This gift will help ensure that tourism continues as a vital industry in Wyoming.

“This is a historic milestone for WORTH and the university,” says Dan McCoy, director of the WORTH Institute. “Thanks to the Kemmerer family’s generosity, we now have the resources to elevate our programs and services, empower students and deliver even more tangible benefits to the state’s visitor economy.”

At the heart of the Kemmerers’ vision is a commitment to education and workforce development. The institute will provide internships, career counseling and global learning opportunities to give students real-world experience in Wyoming’s expanding tourism sector. Faculty will benefit from fellowships, visiting professorships and professional training — ensuring that the university remains a leader in outdoor and hospitality education. Additionally, the institute will advance research and innovation, exploring new ways to enhance Wyoming’s status as a premier destination for outdoor recreation.

UW President Ed Seidel acknowledges the profound impact of the Kemmerers’ generosity, calling it a game-changer for the university and the state: “The Kemmerers are remarkable stewards of Wyoming’s economy and legacy. Their vision and leadership ensure that UW will continue to play a pivotal role in preparing students and professionals to excel in the tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation industries, which are critical to our state’s future.”

For the Kemmerers, Wyoming’s beauty, values and opportunities have guided their family’s journey for generations. Their investment in education, outdoor recreation and tourism is more than just a commitment — it’s a way of ensuring that future generations can experience the same Wyoming that shaped them. It’s here where their gratitude took root and grew into a monumental legacy.

“Wyoming isn’t just a place — it’s a way of life — and we want to see it thrive for generations to come,” the Kemmerers say. “Wyoming gave so much to our family, and we want to give back. It’s that simple.”