Meet the Board Members Guiding WEDA Into the Future

The Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA) is governed by five directors who help set initiatives and offer advice throughout the year. These directors have decades of experience in economic development and are experts across various Wyoming communities and regions. They ensure every Wyoming resident has a voice and is represented as WEDA strives to grow the state.

“Our board of directors meets regularly to discuss the operations of WEDA and how the staff should use its time and resources,” says Ashley Harpstreith, WEDA Administrator. “Board members are intentionally selected from both large and small communities across all of Wyoming to maximize representation and allow for diverse insights and voices. We wouldn’t be nearly as effective without them.”

Meet the board members guiding WEDA and helping it act more effectively. See why they are passionate about Wyoming and how they hope to see it grow. 

Samuel Weinstein - Wyoming Smart Capital Network

President-Elect

Samuel Weinstein is the development loan officer with Wyoming Smart Capital Network, where his commitment to community partnership and economic growth takes center stage.

An engaged professional in the greater Cheyenne community, Weinstein has been making impactful contributions for over 15 years. Since graduating from the University of Wyoming with degrees in Communication and Sociology, Weinstein's journey has been driven by a passion for education, social understanding, and enhancing the lives of those around him.

Weinstein began his career in Wyoming at a local credit union, where he skillfully balanced commercial loan responsibilities with community outreach, setting a precedent for his future endeavors. Transitioning to roles at Pinnacle Bank, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, and CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, Weinstein consistently demonstrated a unique ability to build relationships within the real estate community while excelling in mortgage operations. This blend of financial expertise and community advocacy has become the cornerstone of his professional approach.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sam's extensive community involvement underscores his dedication to positive societal impact. He has held leadership positions in organizations like the Wyoming Mortgage Lender's Association, the Laramie County Community College Foundation, and the Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne, and has served in educational mentorship roles.

His commitment extends even to the military realm, as evidenced by his role as the Honorary Commander of the 321 Missile Squadron. At Wyoming Smart Capital Network, Sam continues to inspire individuals and organizations to create a more connected, empowered, and vibrant State of Wyoming. His blend of lending experience and tireless community leadership exemplifies his ongoing investment in Wyoming's well-being and development.

Betsey L. Hale - Cheyenne LEADS

Secretary- Legislative Committee Chair

Betsey Hale has worked in economic development since 1993. Her roles have ranged from the Director of the Catskill Alternative Agriculture Program at SUNY Delhi in New York State to CEO of Cheyenne LEADS in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she has worked since 2020.

Hale earned her CEcD in 2020, when she realized that economic development is a profession not for the faint of heart. Throughout her career, she embraced the concept that there is always money for what is important – and for communities and taxpayers, there should be nothing more important than economic development. Successful economic development programs deliberately and strategically enhance a community’s prosperity and quality of life by fostering a resilient, growth-oriented tax base and a diverse economy.

Hale’s “economic developer” journey has taken her from rural communities to mid-size metros. She has over 40 years of business ownership, leadership, management, and public sector experience, which includes over 30 years of employment in economic development and entrepreneurship training, seventeen years owning two landscape construction companies, and operating a family ranch, nine years of municipal government leadership in Loveland, Colorado, and service for three years as a County Commissioner in Montrose County, CO.

Hale’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, project implementation and management, relationship building, budget oversight, communications, branding, marketing, campaigning, and government legislative affairs. She is recognized by peers as a data-driven innovator, collaborator, and committed citizen leader, with boundless energy and a passion for results.

Why do you choose to serve on the WEDA board?

There has never been a better time to be an economic development professional! That is especially true in Wyoming. I want to share my experience with others and learn how my colleagues get things done in their communities. 

Why is Wyoming a great place to do business? 

How much time do you have?

Kevin Kershirsnik - IDEA Inc. in Fremont County 

Treasurer

Kershirsnik has lived in Wyoming since 1995, but his relatives have lived here for generations.  He has an MBA from the University of Wyoming, two engineering degrees, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Wyoming. He has been successfully working for and managing manufacturing companies for more than two decades and is now focused on helping others succeed in business and expanding Wyoming’s economy.  

Currently, Kershirsnik has multiple jobs, including the Executive Director of IDEA (Improve and Develop Economic Activity) Inc., a 501(c)4 non-profit economic development organization (EDO) in Riverton since 2014. As the Economic Development Director, Kershirsnik has written several grant proposals and manages economic development projects for local companies to provide additional infrastructure, facilities, and employment.

He is also the Regional Project and Account Manager for Manufacturing Works (MW), serving Fremont County and the surrounding areas. MW is part of the Wyoming Business Resource Network, a valuable resource for all Wyoming businesses. Kershirsnik assists local manufacturers in increasing revenue, decreasing costs, and improving profitability.

Finally, Kershirsnik is President and Chairman of the Board of Pertech Resources Inc. (PRI), a Wyoming company formed in 2003 through a buyout with assistance from multiple economic development entities. PRI designs, develops, and manufactures printing solutions for the North American financial market.

Kershirsnik has served on multiple boards and has experience as chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Board positions include:

• The Wyoming Workforce Development Council for 15 years, where he chaired the Strategic Planning and Communications committees.
• IDEA Inc. and Depot Foundation boards since 2005. 
• St. Margaret’s Parish finance chairman and member for 10 years.
• Riverton Rotary member and Foundation co-chair since 2005.
• SEAC Banche/Pertech Industries Inc. board for 5 years.  

Kershirsnik’s wife, Kelly, has several degrees in political science and has worked for U.S. Senators Wallup, Thomas, and Barrasso. Kevin’s daughter, Jocelin, is working for a start-up in New Mexico.

Kershirsnik is a graduate of Leadership Wyoming class of 2017, has been a WEDA member since 2014, is a former youth soccer coach, a confessed golf addict, and a volunteer for multiple projects in Central Wyoming. He received the Entrepreneur Award for Central Wyoming, the 40 Under Forty Award, and several other achievement awards in business and economic development.

Kershirsnik and a group of committed community members got the ½% sales tax for economic development on the ballot during the pandemic, which passed by a narrow margin and is currently being used to improve economic development for the citizens of Fremont County.

William J. Hayes - Big Horn County Citizens for Economic Development 

Leadership Training Services Committee Chair

William Hayes was born in Laramie, Wyoming, where his parents attended the University of Wyoming. His dad was a petroleum geologist, so he lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas throughout his childhood. Hayes graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970 and started as a Management Trainee with JCPenney. He eventually rose to the store manager level at another retailer, SRI. Hayes worked in retail management for 23 years, then changed careers to become a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones for 21 years.

Hayes has been President of the Frisco, Texas, Rotary Club and President of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Foundation Board of NWC in Powell, Wyoming, and the Advisory Board of the McCracken Research Library at the Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.  

Hayes has experience with Economic Development Corporations in Frisco, Texas, and in Shell, Wyoming. His group, the Big Horn County Citizens for Economic Development, has been in existence since 2019 and sponsored a Mental Health Fair in Shell. His team is currently developing a Conservation Guide for Big Horn County. The group also sponsored a Conservation Easement seminar in association with the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. It sponsored a newspaper survey about the need for an Independent Living Facility at South Big Horn County Hospital (now Three Rivers Hospital). There are other projects in the planning stage.

Why do you choose to serve on the WEDA board?

WEDA is a program that is needed in Wyoming, as we have relied on Energy and Minerals for many years. Diversification of our economy is critical so Wyoming can thrive.

WEDA is a place where we can encourage businesses to thrive through entrepreneurial thinking and not repeating old business tactics. 

Why is Wyoming a great place to do business? 

The market is wide open, and if you have a better idea, bring it to the table. 

Jon Conrad - Uinta County Economic Development Commission 

Board Member

Jon Conrad currently serves as the Environmental and Governmental Affairs Manager for Tata Chemicals in Green River, Wyoming. Conrad has been in the soda ash manufacturing industry for over 27 years, holding various leadership positions.

Conrad serves on the Uinta County Economic Development Commission and as the Chairman of the Wyoming Mining Association Regulatory Affairs Committee. He is the recipient of the 2021 Wyoming Mining Association’s Peck Awards for “outstanding voluntary community service.” The award also honors the Peck family’s efforts to improve the state and their community, as well as the family’s commitment to the Wyoming mining community.

He also serves as Commander of VFW Post 7798 (MSgt, USAFR) and Steering Committee Member for Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom and as a Member of the Uinta County Suicide Prevention Task Force. Previous leadership positions include Vice Chairman for the State of Wyoming Board of Parole, Chairman of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council, Vice Chairman of the National Governors Association, National Association of State Workforce Boards, and Vice Chairman for the Uinta County School District #4 Board of Trustees.

Conrad has degrees in Aircraft Avionics, Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration.

Get Involved With WEDA to Grow Wyoming

Wyoming has a strong staff and board of directors, but it is always looking for passionate economic development professionals and community members to get involved. Keep up with WEDA to see what the organization is up to and consider becoming a member. This is a growing resource for economic development teams across Wyoming to learn about new ideas and trends.  

WEDA has been going through some changes lately. If you haven’t heard what we’re up to, drop back in and see how the organization is retooling its operations and increasing the value it provides to members.

Contact us with any questions or ideas you have. We are happy to listen to your needs and discuss how WEDA can support you now and in the future.