KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Mark Gordon grew up on the family ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming, where he learned the values of hard work, integrity, and the importance of working together. As Governor, he brings those values to the table, maintaining his commitment to a Wyoming where her citizens can pursue their dreams while the state retains her unique character. He strongly believes that Wyoming must chart its own course and is a steadfast defender of its interests to do so.

    As a conservative, Governor Gordon has worked tirelessly to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path. He is committed to making government more transparent, accessible, productive, and efficient. He believes government is best when it is closest to the people and is committed to giving local communities the tools they need to thrive. He is a staunch advocate of quality education in all modes, public and private, and for all children.

    Governor Gordon served as Wyoming State Treasurer from October 2012 until January 2019, when he was sworn in as Governor. During his time in office, he was ranked in the top 100 "most significant and impactful public investor executives." In addition, under his guidance, Wyoming's sovereign funds earned a No.1 ranking for the United States and No.3 in the world for transparency by the Peterson Institute.

    First elected Governor in 2018, he successfully led Wyoming through some historically difficult times. Consistently rated as one of the top ten governors in the country, he has spearheaded efforts to diversify Wyoming's economy from technology and finance to agriculture, energy, research, and tourism. He and his wife, Jennie, are dedicated to making Wyoming the best place to raise a family.

    Shortly after becoming First Lady, Jennie called on her upbringing and management acumen as a rancher and mother to establish the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, which has meant so much for many in Wyoming suffering from food insecurity.

    Governor Gordon and Jennie have four grown children - Aaron; Anne; Bea with husband Austen and their son Crawford; and Spencer with wife Sarah, their son Everett, and twin daughters Violet and Eloise.

  • Chief Jason Caughey is the chair of the Laramie County Planning Commission and has over 20 years of experience as a Fire Chief and over 30 years in emergency services. For the past 14 years, Chief Caughey has served as the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire Authority in Cheyenne, Wyoming. LCFA is a combination fire department consisting of 120 members and 7 fire stations.

    Chief Caughey is a published author and international speaker who focuses on honoring our traditions but leading change. Chief Caughey has a bachelor’s degree in fire science and has his Chief Officer designation through CPSE and his Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.

    Chief Caughey previously served as an executive leader with a regional business where he developed his leadership and vision skills with an emphasis on service, ownership, and vision.

    Chief Caughey has presented on leadership, culture, vision and change in over 25 states and 7 countries.

  • Patrick Collins was sworn in as Cheyenne's Mayor on January 4, 2021. Prior to that, Collins found a calling in civil service and was elected to the Cheyenne City Council in 2000. During that time, he served three terms and was elected as council president four times.

    Since 1991, Collins has owned and operated the Bicycle Station on Dell Range Boulevard, where he put his roots down in the small business community.

    From there, Collins went on to serve on boards for the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce and Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming, on top of his involvement with the Cheyenne Greenway, Cheyenne Soccer Association and Leadership Cheyenne, where he received the National Distinguished Leadership Award in 1999.

    Having grown up in Wyoming, Collins attended Carey Junior High, East High School, and the University of Wyoming.

  • Planning Program Manager, Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office

    Dillon Hoyt is the Resource Management Plan Program Manager at Utah’s Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO). Over the past decade, he has managed state parks operations in Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. Immediately prior to working for PLPCO, he was the Park Manager at iconic Dead Horse Point State Park. Dillon enjoys working with diverse groups of stakeholders to find common ground and sustainable solutions that promote access to public lands and that facilitate responsible stewardship of public land resources.

Presenting the Karen B. Smith Symposium for Environmental Issues in Rural & Small Town Planning