Contacts

Don Clonch, Basin Radio Network

Don Clonch is the General Manager at Basin Radio Network, a group of four radio stations located in Gillette offering a broad range of programming including Adult Contemporary, Classic Hits, Country and News-Talk.

Prior to working at Basin Radio Network, Mr. Clonch was a regional manager at Midwest Messenger in Tekamah, Neb.

Josh McGrath, ERA Boardwalk Real Estate, Inc.

Josh McGrath is a Sales Associate at ERA Boardwalk Real Estate, a company with more than 30 years of experience in Gillette real estate.

Mr. McGrath has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Mary. He also attended Trinidad State Junior College for two years on a basketball scholarship.

Mr. McGrath is a past chair of the Chamber’s Board, and a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). He currently serves as president of the YES House Foundation Board, is a member of Gillette Energy Rotary and is the past president for the Campbell County Board of Realtors.

Past Chair: Daryl Meyer, Farmers Cooperative Association

Daryl Meyer is the General Manager of Farmers Cooperative Association, a business owned by 4,000 local ranchers and customers in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. As the general manager, Mr. Meyer is the CEO of the $30 million sales business with nearly 50 employees. He oversees all operations including the FCA Country Store, the grain and feed operation, bulk fuel and propane delivery, and the Cenex service station. Mr. Meyer reports to a board of directors, consisting of nine local ranchers.

Prior to joining FCA, Mr. Meyer has spent a career managing cooperatives in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. He spent two years as a technical advisor in Africa on a USAID project in the late 90’s, and has done several short term projects for Agricultural Cooperative Development International in Africa and the Middle East.

Mr. Meyer has a bachelor’s degree in feed science and management from Kansas State University.

Mr. Meyer has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for six years, has been a Chamber Energizer for seven years and is a member of the Retail Committee. He is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). He currently serves on the Campbell County Economic Development Retail Task Force and is an active member of the Wyoming/Montana Cooperative Managers Association.

Cary W. Martin, Cloud Peak Energy

Cary W. Martin is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., the third largest U.S. coal producer and the only pure-play Powder River Basin coal company headquartered in Gillette.

He is a former corporate officer of a publicly traded $4 billion energy company. He has successfully led both national and international human resource organizations within not only the energy industry, but also manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and telecommunications. Mr. Martin has more than 20 years of human resources experience and has successfully aligned HR strategies with overall business plans.

Beyond his master in management science and bachelor in business administration, Mr. Martin has also completed recent training in executive compensation, employee value proposition modeling, and lean manufacturing / enterprise techniques.

Patrick Davidson, Daly, Davidson & Sorenson, LLC.

Patrick Davidson is a Partner at Daly, Davidson & Sorenson, LLC., a four attorney law firm which represents clients in various legal matters such as complex civil litigation, business transactions, oil and gas ventures, real estate transactions, and contracts.

Prior to working at Daly, Davidson & Sorenson, Mr. Davidson was an associate attorney at Daly Law Associates, P.C.

Mr. Davidson has bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Wyoming, as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming, College of Law.

Mr. Davidson is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). He currently serves as secretary to the United Way of Campbell County, has been a member of the National Eagle Scout Association since 1989, a committee member of the Powder River Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is the den leader to the Boy Scouts of America Gillette Pack No. 99 and is a member of the Campbell County Emergency Response Team. He formerly served on the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Sixth Judicial District.  

Liz Hunter, Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc.

Liz Hunter is the Chief Engineer and Gillette Office Manager for Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc., a regional engineering, surveying, planning and development firm with 16 offices in five states and a national client base.

Ms. Hunter has both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming. She has her Professional Engineering License. Ms. Hunter also has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with majors in biology and mathematics.

Ms. Hunter is a 2009 graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). She currently serves as President of the Powder River Chapter of the Wyoming Society of Professional Engineers.

Treasurer: Toni L. Bell, CPA, Above the Line Certified Public Accountants, PC

Toni L. Bell, CPA, is the Vice President and Treasurer of Above the Line Certified Public Accountants, PC. Ms. Bell provides full-service consulting and tax services for small businesses, their owners, and individuals. She is also very active in managing Above the Line and the Pronghorn Estates Professional Center.

Prior to joining Above the Line, Ms. Bell was a staff accountant at Ivey Jacobson & Stone in Portland, Oregon.

Ms. Bell has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration with a concentration in general business from Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Ms. Bell is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI) and is member of the Chamber Energizers. She currently serves as a Wolf Leader for Cub Scouts, and is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants member since 2001, Wyoming Society of CPAs since 2001, and American Society of Pension Professional and Actuaries member since 2005.

Chair: Barry Hayden, First National Bank

Barry Hayden is the Assistant Vice President at First National Bank of Gillette, a community oriented and people first financial institution committed to the growth of Campbell County. As assistant vice president, Mr. Hayden is responsible for underwriting new loan requests and managing commercial banking relationships.

Prior to joining First National Bank, he served as a commercial loan officer at First Interstate Bank for seven years.

Mr. Hayden has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Wyoming and is a graduate of the Western School of Commercial Lending.

Mr. Hayden is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). He is currently the vice president to the Youth Emergency Services (YES) House Foundation Board, where he has served for four years.

Chair-Elect: Alisa Engler, Bank of Gillette

Alisa Engler is the Branch President of the Bank of Gillette. She also serves as the retail manager for the Banks of Buffalo, Casper, Gillette and Sheridan, which focuses on developing a sales culture to help deepen customer relationships. The Banks of Buffalo, Gillette, Sheridan and Casper have more than $148 million in assets and employ 74 people.

Ms. Engler’s professional career includes 21 years of banking experience throughout banking institutions in Connecticut, Georgia, Washington and Wyoming. She was a former business development officer at Bank of the West. Her responsibilities included branch management, business development, cash management, commercial lending, human resources, marketing and public relations.

Ms. Engler has two bachelor's degrees in accounting and business administration from Brenau University in Georgia.

Ms. Engler is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). She currently serves as treasurer for the Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation (GARF) and is a steering committee member for the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). She is a past treasurer for the Gillette Extension Salvation Army and a past president and treasurer for the Kingsbay Chapter American Business Women’s Association.

Karen Clarke, Campbell County Memorial Hospital

Karen Clarke is the Manager of Community Relations and Marketing at Campbell County Memorial Hospital, a healthcare system consisting of a 90-bed acute care hospital, 150-bed long-term care facility, two primary care clinics, urgent care clinic, ENT clinic, OB/GYN clinic and Orthopedic clinic.

Prior to joining CCMH, Ms. Clarke worked as a graphic artist at Arrow Printing in Gillette.

Ms. Clarke has a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Denver.

Ms. Clarke is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). She currently serves on the Campbell County Healthcare Foundation Board and is the president of the Gillette Chamber Singers. She formerly served on the board of directors for the United Way.

Terry Pettigrew, Peabody Energy Corporation

Terry Pettigrew is the Manager of Accounting and Finance for Peabody Powder River Operations, under Peabody Energy Corp., the world’s largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in clean coal solutions.

Mr. Pettigrew has worked for Peabody Energy Corp. for 24 years. Previous work assignments have taken him to various parts of the US, including Missouri and Colorado

Mr. Pettigrew holds a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from Black Hills State University. 

Mr. Pettigrew was raised in Gillette and returned to the area six years ago.  He has coached youth sports for many years, served as president of the Gillette Hockey Association and has served two terms on the Trinity Lutheran Church Board of Elders.

Jason Tystad, S&S Builders, LLC

Jason Tystad is a Project Manager and Estimator for S & S Builders, LLC, an employee owned General Contractor that employs 175 people seasonally.  S & S Builders, LLC was established in Gillette in 1981 and opened a second office in Cheyenne in 1998.

His management duties include coordinating with owners and engineers, tracking budgets and scheduling labor, equipment and materials for projects ranging from $250,000 to $16,000,000. In addition to Project Management, Mr. Tystad is also an estimator for S & S Builders, LLC, bidding projects up to $20 million in value.

Prior to joining S & S Builders, LLC in 2005, Mr. Tystad was earning his degree in construction management with a minor in business from South Dakota State University.

Gail Lofing, Vice President of Finance

Gail Lofing, IOM, is the Chamber’s Vice President of Finance. She has been with the Chamber since 2003. As vice president of finance, she is responsible for all financial aspects for the Chamber including invoicing, accounts payable, human resources and financial reporting. She is staff liaison to the Gillette Area Leadership Institute’s steering committee and plan administrator for the Wyoming Chambers Health Benefit Association.

Previously Ms. Lofing was employed by the accounting firm of Galusha, Higgins and Galusha as a para-professional.

Ms. Lofing is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.

She is the Treasurer for the American Legion Post 42 Baseball team, a position she has held for the past four years. She is also a member of the local and national Society for Human Resource Managers.

Contact her at gaill@gillettechamber.com.

Katie Alo, Communications Coordinator

Katie Alo is the Chamber’s Communications Coordinator. She serves as the staff liaison for the North East Wyoming Contractors Association (NEWCA).

Ms. Alo moved to the Gillette area in 2006, from Flagstaff, Arizona where she was employed as the community relations manager for the Coconino County Humane Association.

Ms. Alo is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI).

Contact her at katiea@gillettechamber.com.

Felicia J. Messimer, Business Information Specialist

Felicia J. Messimer is the Chamber’s Business Information Specialist. She is responsible for the marketing and public relations for the organization, and is the administrator for the Chamber’s popular Facebook page,www.facebook.com/CCCCWyo. She is the staff liaison for the Public Policy Committee.

Before taking the position with the Chamber, she handled media relations and corporate communications at the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. in New York City.

Ms. Messimer has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wyoming and an associate degree in communications from Laramie County Community College.

Contact her at feliciam@gillettechamber.com.

Julie Simon, President and CEO

Julie Simon, IOM, is the Chamber’s president and CEO. Before her appointment as president, she served as the director of sales and marketing. Simon has been with the Chamber since 2003.

Ms. Simon has a master’s degree in communications from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations and marketing from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. She is a 2009 graduate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management.

Ms. Simon is a graduate of the Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI). She currently serves as president for the Wyoming Chambers of Commerce Executives and is president of the board for the Wyoming Chambers of Commerce Welfare Benefit Association. She also is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Energy, Clean Air and Natural Resources Committee.

Contact her at julies@gillettechamber.com.

P.J. Burns, Investor Relations Manager

P.J. Burns, IOM is the Chamber’s Investor Relations Manager. Ms. Burns is responsible for the retention of existing members, as well as attracting new members to the Chamber. She is the staff liaison to the Energizers Committee and Retail Committee.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Ms. Burns was the executive director of the Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce for eight years.

Ms. Burns has a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She is a 2002 graduate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management.

Ms. Burns is a long-time member of Daughters of the Nile and a member of the Gillette Women in Business.

She currently serves on the Board of the Campbell County Boys and Girls Club.

Contact her at pjburns@gillettechamber.com.

Darlene Robertson, Business Sales Associate

Darlene Roberson is the Chamber’s business sales associate. She is responsible for securing sponsorships for the majority of the Chamber’s events and publications, as well as planning the annual NEWCA Home Show.

Contact her at darlener@gillettechamber.com or (307) 680-1192.