Board of Directors
The Board of Directors includes 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.
Don Smith
Wheatland REA
Don came to Wheatland in 2014 as the General Manager of Wheatland Rural Electric Association (REA). Wheatland REA is an electric cooperative providing electric power to rural areas of Platte County as well as portions of Laramie, Albany and Goshen counties. Don has over 20 years of electric utility experience that has taken him to Oregon and Alaska as well as spending most of his career in Gillette, Wyoming. Don is a licensed professional engineer and has a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Metropolitan State College of Denver. For nearly 20 years Don has been an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America in various capacities including District Chairman.
Bob Ruwart
Bob Ruwart Motors
Bob Ruwart came to Wheatland in February of 1990 to pursue a career in the Automobile industry, and purchased a GM-Chrysler dealership, Bob Ruwart Motors. During the twenty years he has been in Wheatland, he has served on the Platte County Chamber of Commerce Board and the Platte County Economic Development Board. Bob was very active in the Wheatland Jaycees for 15 years. He served on the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Board of Directors for eight years, becoming President in 2004. He currently serves as a WYDOT Commissioner representing district 1. In his spare time, he enjoys going to his cabin in the Snowy Mountains, snowmobiling, and spending time sitting around the campfire with family and friends.
Jeff Brown
First State Bank
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.
Tiffany Dean
Gorman Funeral Home
Tiffany was born in Wheatland, and was raised in Douglas, Wyoming. She graduated in 2001 from Douglas High School and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. She was involved with Pi Beta Phil Sorority. She graduated from USD in 2005 with a finance degree. For the next five years she worked various place before deciding to go to mortuary school in 2010. Tiffany graduated from Worsham Mortuary School in September of 2011 and moved to Wheatland to begin her career as Funeral Director working with her parents. Tiffany is involved with the Selected Independent Funeral Homes Leadership Academy and a Study Group. She was just elected as a board member of the Platte County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, and also teaches first Grade CCD classes. Tiffany and her husband Cameron reside in Wheatland and together they have a son Brody.
Dennis Fischer - Chairman
Platte County School District #1
Dennis Fischer is Superintendent of Schools for the Platte County School District #1, which serves the communities of Wheatland, Glendo, and Chugwater. Dennis joined the district in 2012 after 22 years in education in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He and his wife, Patty, have three boys. Dennis has bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Education, as well as a Master’s in Educational Administration/School Business Management from the University of Wisconsin and an Educational Specialist degree from St. Mary’s University. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with family.
Alan Madsen
Premier Title Company
Alan Madsen and his wife Stephani opened Premier Title Company (premiertitle@qwest.net) 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.
Shelby Olind
Platte County Memorial Hospital
Shelby Olind joined Platte County Memorial Hospital as CEO in August of 2011. Nelson came to Wheatland from Fairbanks, Alaska, where she most recently served as an associate administrator for Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Denali Center (FMH/DC). Shelby had been with FMH/DC since 1992 and served as a senior leader there for the past 10 years. She began her career in the early 1980’s as a ward clerk at McKee Medical Center in Loveland, CO. Shelby holds a bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (minor, Business Administration) from the University of Fairbanks in Alaska. In addition, she holds certifications as a FEMA crisis communications expert and Myers Briggs trainer. Nelson is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD).
Mona Sherard
Sherard Realtly
Mona Sherard has been a Realtor for over thirty years and still loves her job. The majority of her real estate career was in Cheyenne WY., just 70 miles south of Wheatland. After she and her husband were married, she relocated to this beautiful part of the state and opened Sherard Realty, Inc. Being close to the Mountains, lakes and streams is the ideal location for them as they enjoy hiking, fishing and being in the Great outdoors in their spare time.
Jennifer Stone
CME, Inc.
Kim Cullen Goertz - Vice Chair
Wyoming Pure Natural Beef
Kim Cullen Goertz is a Wheatland native, and a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a degree in Animal Science. She spent about 5 years traveling and working in different areas of Wyoming, and other western states before returning to make Wheatland her home again. She has been an entrepreneur, starting her own livestock custom AI business in 1998, owning coffee shops in 2 states, venturing into real estate, and in 2015 switching her focus to their seedstock cattle business, K2 Red Angus, and the Family businesses of Wyoming Pure Natural Beef, and the Goertz Farming operations. Together with her husband, Jason Goertz, and kids, Cole and Laynie, they put on two Red Angus sales each year, marketing cattle into about 10 different states in the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions. She is a past chair of the Wyoming State Fair Board, and 2004 graduate of the Wyoming L.E.A.D. program. She was a founding member of the Wyoming Livestock Genetics Association, where she made several trips to South America to learn about the livestock industry there and work on marketing opportunities between Argentina and Wyoming.
Charley Ruwart
Laramie Peak Motors
Charley Ruwart is the oldest son of Chuck and Lori Ruwart, owners of Laramie Peak Motors in Wheatland. He graduated in 2008 from Wheatland High School, attained a Marketing degree at the University of Wyoming, and is now a sales consultant for Laramie Peak Motors. Charley enjoys chatting history and conspiracy theories, creating podcasts, reading, and kayaking. His hopes are to bring a fresh perspective for growth and change to his hometown, Wheatland, and is focused on sustainable improvement for all classes and individuals.
Braden Marshall
C.H. Brown Company
Bradon Marshall was born and raised in Riverton, WY and graduated from Riverton High School in 2011. He attended Casper College and eventually graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture in 2015 from West Texas A&M University. He began working for C.H. Brown Company immediately following college graduation and now represents the company as the Chief Operating Officer. Bradon lives locally with his fiancé Taylor Bartek whom is employed by Platte Valley Bank of Wheatland. They are both excited to be part of the Wheatland community.
Mike Brokaw
Rolling Hills Bank
Mike Brokaw is a 4th generation rancher from the Arlington WY area. He has been involved in agriculture my entire working life. Mike had been in Illinois the last 22 years and the opportunity with Banner was offered and he couldn’t refuse. His wife Kelly is still in Illinois working the family farm and looking after her folks. Their three kids are grown and almost out of the house. Erin, the oldest, is an investment customer service rep with JP Morgan Chase. Sean is an F-18 pilot for the Navy, stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station, CA. Their youngest, James, is a Senior at Illinois State University studying Physics and hopes for a career with NASA upon graduation.
Malcolm Ervin
Platte County Clerk
Malcolm Ervin is a fourth generation Platte County resident. He graduated from Wheatland High School in 2009, and later from the University of Wyoming in 2013 having earned a Bacehlor's degree in Criminal Justice. Malcolm has dedicated his life to public service in Platte County. He has served as a police officer, planner, and will serve as Platte County Clerk beginning in January of 2019. Malcolm is fervent in his desire to create new opportunities in Platte County, while embracing its rich agriculture history. Malcolm is an avid baseball fan and is often be seen wearing red in support of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Matthew Kukowski - Treasurer
Vice President/Lender at Platte Valley Bank
Matthew grew up on a ranch near Sheridan, Wyoming. Upon graduation he served in the U.S. Navy on active duty and in the reserves. While attending the University of Wyoming he interned with Platte Valley Bank. Upon graduation from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Agricultural Business in 2007, he was hired full-time as a lender. In 2015 he graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Matthew specializes in agricultural and commercial financing. Experience includes working with SBA, FSA, USDA, Wyoming Smart Capital Network, and Platte County Economic Development loan programs. Activities include Wheatland Lions Club, University of Wyoming Alumni, and Wyoming Bankers Association.