CHEYENNE – Wyoming Business Council Chief Executive Officer Shawn Reese recently announced a restructuring of executive team roles and responsibilities. The changes are designed to improve internal and external communication, advance innovation and deliver increased outcomes for business, community and rural development.
“The Wyoming Business Council is a state agency that is meant to act like a business. These changes reflect my desire for the Business Council to be the best of both,” Reese said.
Reese promoted longtime Southeast Region Director Tom Johnson to the newly created chief performance officer (CPO) position.
“Tom is responsible for increasing the level of performance of our programs and services,” Reese said. “He will spearhead development, implementation and monitoring of the Business Council’s strategic plan.”
The CPO’s duties include economic development policy, outcome-based performance management and economic impact analysis of Business Council programs and services.
Johnson joined the Business Council in August 2000 as southeast region director. As CPO, he will report directly to Reese and work closely with key leadership team members.
Reese also announced Chief Financial Officer Diane Joyce now has the title of chief financial and administration officer. She will continue to prepare and oversee the agency’s budget as well as internal operations, services and administration.
Joyce joined the Business Council as comptroller in June 1999. She became director of accounting and compliance in 2004 and CFO in 2007.
Reese additionally said Human Resources Manager Chava Case and Communications Director Ron Gullberg will report directly to him.
“The Business Council has accomplished many great things over its relatively short history,” Reese said. “Looking ahead, I’m excited about this team and taking economic development in Wyoming to a new level.”
The changes address the Jan. 30, 2015 retirement of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Willis. Willis worked for the Business Council for 10 years. He served as director of the Business and Industry Division prior to becoming COO in 2007.
“The Business Council family is grateful to Mark for his tireless work during a period of tremendous growth for the agency in terms of the scope and complexity of projects,” Reese said. “Mark helped lay the foundation for the agency’s continued efforts to increase Wyoming’s prosperity.”
About the Wyoming Business Council
The Council’s mission is to increase Wyoming’s prosperity. We envision a Wyoming where industries are strong, diverse and expanding. Small business is a big deal. Communities have the highest quality of life. Wyoming is the technology center of the High Plains. Wyoming knows no boundaries. Please go to www.wyomingbusiness.org for more information.
