executive leadership team
GENESIS ALKALI
Fred von Ahrens is the Genesis Alkali Vice President of Manufacturing in Green River, WY. During his more than 40-year tenure with FMC and now Genesis Energy, Fred has held Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Plant Management and General Management Roles around the country and at Corporate Headquarters in various businesses. His first role as Resident Manager was in Newark, California; then Manufacturing Manager at Pocatello, Idaho; and Resident Manager in Lawrence, Kansas. Fred then spent two years as the Resident Manager of FMC Corporation Agriculture Products Group’s Baltimore facility before moving to Philadelphia as General Manager of the Persulfate and Peracetic Acid Business. Throughout his career, Fred has focused his energy and manufacturing resources on safety, manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement.Fred is actively involved within the community creating the Pulse of South West Wyoming with a mission to inform regional Legislators of Business, Health and Education initiatives and legislation that are important to the community. Forming the South West Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership, a business education partnership across the 5 counties. Member of the University of Wyoming Art Museum National Advisory Board. Past memberships include: Chair of the Wyoming Business Alliance, Board Member of the Sweetwater Memorial Hospital Foundation, Board member of the Wyoming Mining Association. Fred is a Leadership Wyoming Alumni, class of 2012.
WESTERN WYOMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Kim Kuster Dale came to Western in 2019 as Western’s 8th president. She attended a large university after high school and left after one semester to go to work. She later returned to college and never stopped, finding her love for learning and serving students. Dr. Dale received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Metropolitan State College of Denver, a master’s degree in management and organization from the University of Colorado Denver, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and human resource studies from Colorado State University.Kim began her academic career as an adjunct business faculty and worked within the Colorado Community College System for over 20 years, serving as a faculty department chair, dean of instruction and outreach. She also taught as an adjunct professor in management and organizational development at the University of Colorado Denver. Prior to coming to Western, Kim served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Western Nebraska Community College. She and her husband, Randy, have five children and four grandchildren who reside in northern Colorado and Kentucky. Kim and Randy have fallen in love with Wyoming and take time to meet new people and enjoy the great outdoors every chance they get.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER
Ron Wild grew up in Hanna, Wyoming. After graduating high school, he served as a Security Specialist for ten years, guarding assets for the United States Air Force. Ron started his next path as a first generation attendee at Laramie County Community College, in Cheyenne. After graduating, he went on to the University of Wyoming (UW), earning his Electrical Engineering degree. He went to work in Evanston, Wyoming for an international carbon fiber organization and was an Adjunct Math Professor for Western Wyoming Community College. Ron was recruited as a Regional Business Manager for Rocky Mountain Power where he works to support everyone in Wyoming.Wild has led a virtual team as part of an online organization helping game developers and publishers write guides, while testing software and hardware. He was elected Chairman of the Economic Development Commission for Uinta County for six years and served on the board for seven years. He continues his service to his friends and neighbors by serving the State of Wyoming on its Workforce Development Council, sitting on the Wyoming Colorado River Working Group, and supporting Manufacturing Works across Southwest Wyoming.
WYOMING MACHINERY
Carl Lembke is the Territory Sales Representative for Wyoming Machinery Company covering Southwest Wyoming. After moving back to Glenrock, Wyoming in 2006, he was given a chance to relocate to his home town of Rock Springs in 2011 to work as the Product Support Sales Representative when the new branch store was opened. Then, in 2013 he took over as the Director of Product Support for the Rock Springs branch. In 2019, as the result of a retirement, he was given an opportunity to take over the Territory Sales role covering Southwest Wyoming.Carl and his wife Theresa (4th Grade Elementary School Teacher) reside in Rock Springs and have made Southwest Wyoming their home since 2012. They enjoy outdoor recreation and making the most of the amazing resources offered in this corner of the state.Carl has known Ron Wild for a little over 5 years and he is confident that his life will be forever changed as a result.
WESTERN WYOMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Amy Murphy is the dean of Outreach and Workforce Education at Western Wyoming Community College. Her background consists of being in workforce development for over 30 years overseeing the entire non-credit programs including customized contract training, professional development workshops, continuing education, and Kids College. Ms. Murphy has developed strategic employer partnerships that has resulted in the development of career training programs to provide a highly skilled workforce.Ms. Murphy has a Master’s in Science in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science in Management with a specialization from Eastern Illinois University. She has also received certification from Learning Resource Network (LERN) as a certified program planner and certified eMarketing professional.
UNION WIRELESS
Jedadiah Vigil is a 20+ year Technologist and the Director of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at Union Telephone. He is responsible for the corporate IT infrastructure and leads the company’s enterprise technology implementation of modern technologies, including communication, automation, and security, among others.
Jed is a transformational and visionary leader, with career experience leading large teams at HP, Apple, and more. In July of 2012 he moved his family, wife and 3 daughters, to southwest Wyoming with the goal of building successful teams in a rural community to help put the WhY not in WYoming opportunity.
ALL WEST COMMUNICATIONS
Marty Carollo has been in the telecom/Internet/TV business for the past 20+ years and works for All West Communications. His role in Strategic Partnership/governmental relations assists SWMP in its advocacy and mission.
Marty is 3rd generation SW Wyoming and grew up in Green River. He has extensive knowledge of SW Wyoming's communities and their needs. He is an advocate for getting individuals the education necessary for them to meet their goals and help our communities thrive and prosper.
WYOMING INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP
Lauren Schoenfeld was recently appointed by Governor Mark Gordon as the first Wyoming Innovation Partnership Executive Director. From Sweetwater County, Lauren currently serves as a County Commissioner and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. Previous experience includes nonprofit executive leadership as the Executive Director for the YWCA of Sweetwater County and as the Organizational Change Management Lead for J.R. Simplot Company.In 2017 she was appointed by Governor Matthew H. Mead to serve on the Wyoming Broadband Council where she has been the chair for the past three years. In 2020 she was appointed by Governor Mark Gordon to the Wyoming Broadband Legislative Task Force and in 2021 was recommended to the National Association of Counties Broadband Task Force. Schoenfeld is a board member for the Sweetwater County Economic Development Association, the Wyoming Community Foundation Rock Springs Board of Directors and the Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Executive Leadership Team. In 2018 she was honored to be a delegate and speaker at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.Schoenfeld has a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Wyoming. Currently, she resides in Rock Springs with her husband Paul, their daughter Letty and Paul’s three children. They enjoy watching Paul’s son Isaac play football at University of Wyoming and love exploring all of the outdoor opportunities that Wyoming has to offer.
SISECAM
Craig Rood s a Wyoming Native that graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1988 with a BS in Secondary Education, Industrial Technology. After teaching school in Arizona for three years, Craig began his career with Sisecam in 1992. Craig has worked for Sisecam Wyoming for 30 years, starting in the labor pool and advancing through the organization in several roles before becoming the General Manager in 2012.
In 2019, Craig transitioned to the Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs. Craig is active in the community and has served on several boards and committees, including: GRHS Booster Club, Green River Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Sweetwater County Treatment Court, Wyoming Business Alliance, Wyoming Taxpayers, Wyoming Skills USA and the Flaming Gorge Days Committee. Craig is a graduate of the 2013 Class of Leadership Wyoming.
SWEETWATER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1
Kelly McGovern became the Superintendent of Schools for Sweetwater County School District Number One in 2014. Kelly has been with Sweetwater County School District Number One for 33 years. She started her career as a secondary mathematics teacher at Rock Springs High School. Kelly has served in numerous roles including teacher, District department chair, curriculum specialist, elementary principal, director of human resources, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.
Kelly earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction, Certifications in K – 12 Principal and K – 12 Director, Education Specialist in Administrative Leadership, and a Certification in K – 12 Superintendency.
Kelly is actively involved in the community she calls home. She has served on many committees and community service events. Her career goals continue to center around the students of Sweetwater Number One and providing career options for them to remain in Sweetwater County.
SWEETWATER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #2
Craig Barringer is the Superintendent of Sweetwater County School District #2 (Green River, WY). Craig has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana (UM). In his 37-year educational career he has been a classroom teacher for 12 years, a building principal for 13 years, and 12 years as a school superintendent.
This is Craig’s third year at SWCSD#2. The school has over 2400 students K-12 and 500+ employees in 10 different schools from the rural schools to Green River High School.
Craig enjoys the outdoor adventures that southwest Wyoming provides from exploring the outstanding landscapes to fishing the Green River.
EXXON MOBIL
Matt McQueen became the Asset Manager of ExxonMobil’s interests in Wyoming in June 2021. He is responsible for maximizing the value of the ExxonMobil’s Wyoming operations, including growing its carbon capture and sequestration business in the state. McQueen began his career with Imperial Oil Ltd. in 2007 in Calgary, Alberta. From 2007 - 2013, Mr. McQueen held a number of technical, commercial and planning assignments supporting both Downstream Refining and Upstream Production assets in Alberta.
In 2013, he assumed the role of Reservoir Surveillance Engineering Supervisor at Imperial Oil’s Cold Lake thermal in-situ oil sands asset, followed by an assignment in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador as Reservoir Engineering Supervisor. In 2018, he was seconded to Exxon Mobil Corporation in Houston, Texas for a series of planning and finance roles supporting the Vice President – Americas for Exxon Mobil Production Company. In 2020 he assumed the role as Advisor to the ExxonMobil Upstream Oil & Gas President, supporting the business response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Co-Conveners
CARBON COUNTY
Tosha Garner is a Business Representative and WIOA Case Manager for the State of Wyoming under the Department of Workforce Services. She represents Carbon County through connection to businesses and school districts. She has been working for the State of Wyoming since 2015 and resides in Rawlins, Wyoming with her husband and children.Tosha serves as a co-convener for the SWMP; as well as a support partner to help streamline talent acquisition. She developed a youth program in Carbon County called ELEVATE to assist non-traditional students with life skills, work experience, and education. She is focused on, and dedicated to, the advancement of human services; and the pathways to sustainable employment.
WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL
Kiley Ingersoll is the Southwest Regional Director for the Wyoming Business Council covering Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties. In that role, Kiley works to promote and create a better tomorrow for all Wyomingites by helping create jobs and economic growth as well as facilitating connections between resources. Kiley attended Montana State and earned her B.S. in Business Marketing and her B.A. in Media and Theater Arts-Photography. Kiley has also earned her M.A. in Communication from the University of Wyoming. Kiley is also a graduate of the Leadership Wyoming class of 2022. Past work includes grant administration, program coordination, teaching, education, and marketing. Outside of work, Kiley enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Bridget Stewart is the Executive Director for Oyster Ridge Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), which is also known as the Western Wyoming Community College Kemmerer Outreach. The BOCES is dedicated to providing the community with services and opportunities for continuing education and enrichment.In 2006, she graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Minor in Human Resource Management. In March 2015, she graduated from Walden University with a Masters in Higher Education. She has lived in southwest Wyoming for the majority of her life and now lives in Kemmerer with her husband and kids.
