The Board of Directors include a representative appointed by the Town of Wheatland, a member of the Platte County Commissioners, corporate members and those elected by the general membership of PCED. Individually and collectively, they oversee and support our efforts. Our mission is to promote quality growth by mobilizing human, physical, natural and capital resources to produce marketable goods and services in a way that makes Platte County a desirable place to live. We are the primary resource in our region for business information and for those wishing to start, expand or relocate a business in the Platte County area.
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to develop strong partnerships locally and statewide. The board and staff continue to work cooperatively with the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Rural Development Council, Small Business Development Center, Wyoming Workforce Development Center, Manufacturing Works, Wyoming Economic Development Association, Wyoming Community Development Authority, and the Platte County Chamber of Commerce. In addition we have a working relationship with the University of Wyoming, Eastern Wyoming Community College, and Laramie County Community College.
Jeff Brown is the Chief Credit Officer of First State Bank in Wheatland, WY where he has been employed since moving to Wheatland 18 years ago. He also serves on the bank’s board of directors. Jeff has been in the banking business in Wyoming for 23 years. He has served on the Platte County Chamber of Commerce board as well as the Wheatland Jaycees. He is a member of Kiwanis and the Covenant Lutheran Church. Jeff is married and has two children. He enjoys golf, camping and spending time with his family.
Thane Ashenhurst is a lifelong Platte County native. Thane grew up working on his father's and grandfather's farms and ranches in and around Platte County. Thane graduated from Wheatland High School in 1983 and graduated with degrees in business and political science from Oral Roberts University in 1988. Keri was talked into marrying Thane in 1989 and the two of them farmed for a year before taking over Drube Manufacturing. Thane and Keri grew the welding and machine business into a regional manufacturing business that produced equipment for the prison industry. The manufacturing business was sold in 2001 and Thane and Keri started a hardware store in Wheatland in 2001 which they currently operate. Thane and Keri have three children: 18, 15, and 13. They enjoy keeping up with the children's activities which include barrel racing, basketball, and lots of music.
Claudia Teeters has served as the Camp Guernsey Quality Assurance Officer and community liaison for the past five years, working closely with the town of Guernsey, and Platte County residents. Prior to accepting the position with the Wyoming Military Department, Claudia served as the editor of the Platte County Record-Times and the Guernsey Gazette. Living and raising a family in Wyoming with a diversified background that also includes ranching, engineering and surveying, work with Habitat for Humanity and even spending a few years as a municipal judge, Claudia believes in the quality of life offered in rural America. Also believing that all things must evolve or become extinct - even a way of life - she maintains the only way to preserve the best of Wyoming’s unique lifestyle is for local businesses, the agricultural community and individuals to be actively involved in creating their own future.
Mona Sherard is the Broker/Owner of Sherard Realty, Inc. She has been in the Real Estate Industry for 27 years with the majority of it being in Cheyenne. She has served as President of the Cheyenne Board of Realtors, and served on numerous other Boards. Mona and her husband Steve have four grown children, and enjoy fly fishing, hiking, golf and traveling.
Chuck and Lori Ruwart moved to Wheatland in April 1994 to take over ownership of Laramie Peak Motors. They have five children ranging in age from 19 to 12. Chuck was on the board of directors for the Platte County Chamber of Commerce for nine years, and served as president in 1998-1999. He has served on the Platte County School District #1 School Board since 2004, and is currently on the board of directors for the Wyoming Auto Dealers Association. He also serves on the State of Wyoming Insurance Examiners Board. Locally, Chuck is president of the board of directors for the American Legion Post 10, Wheatland Lobos, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus in Wheatland and a high school catechism teacher. Chuck feels that economic development for Wheatland is very important if it is to sustain itself into the future. In their spare time Chuck and Lori enjoy attending the unending activities and sports that their kids participate in.
Eric McVicker is the Chief Executive Officer for Platte County Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home and formerly served as the Chief Financial Officer. Eric has been with Banner Health for the past 17 years. He served 16 years in Phoenix encompassing positions with Patient Financial Services, Central Accounting, Financial Reporting, and the Research Institute. “With our fantastic medical staff, leaders, and employees we will provide excellent patient care to the community we serve.” said McVicker.
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Alan Madsen and his wife Stephani opened Premier Title Company in Wheatland, in 2003. Alan is a Councilman for the Town of Wheatland and is active with youth activities including coaching little league and basketball. He also enjoys hunting and fishing. Alan and his wife have three children. Staying active in the community for youth and for business growth has and will always be a goal for them.
Cindy Kahler is the Clerk Treasurer for the Town of Wheatland. She is a lifelong resident of Wheatland and has worked for the Town of Wheatland for thirty-five years. She became the Clerk Treasurer in 1997 after serving as Deputy Clerk Treasurer and the Projects Coordinator. Some of Cindy's major accomplishments while serving the Town of Wheatland include the Downtown Pocket Park project, the band shell, extending the airport runway, construction of the Little Leauge Baseball Complex, and the lighting project on the Legion Field. She was also instrumental in obtaining funds for the waste water project and the Black Mountain water project. Cindy also serves on the Resource Conservation and Development Board. In her free time, she and her husband, Phil, operate a cattle ranch west of Wheatland.
Keith Geis is the President of Platte Valley Bank in Wheatland, a position he has held since 2002. He is a Wyoming native and spent his early years in the Wheatland area, graduating from Laramie High School in 1970. Keith graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1975 with a degree in Ag. Economics. Keith worked with the USDA in Torrington after graduation before spending two years in Alabama with the USDA. He returned to Wyoming where he worked with the Federal Land Bank before moving to Iowa for two years to further his career with Farm Credit Services, returning to Wyoming as Vice President of Marketing for Farm Credit Services of America. In 2002 Keith was selected as President of Platte Valley Bank Wheatland where he works today. Keith serves on numerous committees and boards, including many associated with the banking industry. He is also active with the University of Wyoming, numerous agricultural committees, and many community boards and committees. However, one of the most rewarding of Keith and Marie’s endeavors was providing a safe haven for foster children for eight years; “one of the greatest legacies one can leave.”
Jennifer moved to Wheatland in 1990 with her parents, Tim and Kathie Hoffman. She graduated from Wheatland High School in 1993. In 1995 she started working for Norwest Bank as a Teller. Norwest and Wells Fargo Merged in November of 1998, and in 2004 she was promoted to branch manager of the Wells Fargo Bank in Wheatland. In 2005, she transferred to Bainbridge Island, WA as the branch manager, and today she is back at the Wheatland branch as manager. She has served on the PCED Board of Directors, PCED finance committee, Peak Wellness Center’s Board of Directors, and has been a part of Wheatland Merchants Association. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Terry Stevenson is a Platte County Commissioner, serving in that position since 2009. He is a 1967 graduate of Wheatland High School. He also graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College with a BA, and Denver Baptist Theological Seminary with a MDiv. Terry returned to Platte County with his wife Margaret in 1986. Since that time, he has volunteered his service for various endeavors, including being a 4-H leader, a board member of the Fletcher Park Baptist Youth Foundation, a board member of Wheatland Christian Academy, a member of several local and state political committees, and an active member of First Baptist Church. He wants Platte County to be a place of opportunity for the next generation and recognizes that a thriving local economy is a key element to that goal.
Stuart Nelson has been the Superintendent of Schools for Platte County School District Number 1 since 2002. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children including two daughters and a son. Stuart has a Bachelor of Arts degree in education, a Masters degree in Business Administration and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Wyoming. He enjoys the outdoors and tinkering around the yard with his Labradors.
Tom Johnson is the Southeast Regional Director for the Wyoming Business Council, where he serves communities and businesses in Albany, Goshen, Platte, and Laramie Counties. Tom holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Regis University, and as an Accredited Valuation Analyst (AVA) member of the National Association of Certified Valuation analysts, he specializes in the area of business valuation, finance, and financial analysis. Tom is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. Additional certifications include “Certified Small Business Counselor” achieved through the Wyoming Small Business Development Center, and “Certified Economic Development Finance Professional” (EDFP), through the National Development Council. Previously, as Vice-President of the Laramie Economic Development Corporation, Tom helped establish two business parks and a local revolving loan fund, which continues to finance company expansions today. Since joining the WBC in 2000, he has established several “Business Challenge” programs across the state which have enabled startup businesses to win cash grants and services. Tom has also been at the forefront of other nationally recognized and innovative programs, including the Wyoming Market Research Center. Tom has also worked in the areas of local currency, community owned clothing stores, new market tax credits, and entrepreneurship development.