WYOMING DRIVEN INNOVATION BOARD
Rusty Bell
Tucker Fagan
Rusty Bell was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming. During high school and college, he worked for Hladky Construction before joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as a wildland firefighter for the Pine Ridge Ranger District in Chadron, Nebraska. Following college graduation, he served with the Zig Zag Hotshots based o
Rusty Bell was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming. During high school and college, he worked for Hladky Construction before joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as a wildland firefighter for the Pine Ridge Ranger District in Chadron, Nebraska. Following college graduation, he served with the Zig Zag Hotshots based out of Mt. Hood, Oregon.
After returning to Gillette, Rusty became deeply involved in his community, serving as a basketball coach, substitute teacher, and entrepreneur. In 2004, he started his first business and has since been involved in multiple small businesses throughout the region. He is also a founding member of the Wyoming Sportsman's Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping funds raised in Northeast Wyoming to support local conservation and outdoor initiatives.
Rusty has served on the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy Committee since 2013 and is a graduate of the Leadership Wyoming Class of 2018.
A small business owner and former Campbell County Commissioner (2015–2023), Rusty currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Energy Capital Economic Development in Gillette, where he works to ensure the Powder River Basin remains a driving force in Wyoming's economy. He also co-chaired the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce from 2021 to 2022 and currently serves as a Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner.
Rusty is the proud father of two sons, Bowen and Blake. Outside of work and public service, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.
Tucker Fagan
Tucker Fagan
Tucker served as Director of the Wyoming Department of Commerce and Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources before spending nine years as CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, leading the state's economic, community, and business development efforts.
He later served as Chief of Staff to then-Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis throughout
Tucker served as Director of the Wyoming Department of Commerce and Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources before spending nine years as CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, leading the state's economic, community, and business development efforts.
He later served as Chief of Staff to then-Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis throughout her eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A longtime leader of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Troy has held numerous leadership roles with the organization, been inducted into its Hall of Fame, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Circle of Champions, and received the 2020 Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award from the Wyoming Business Alliance and the University of Wyoming.
Troy Thompson
Troy has served as a Laramie County Commissioner since 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
A veterinarian and small business owner, he purchased Tri-State Veterinary Clinic in 1999 after earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University.
He serves on the Executive Board of the Wyoming County Commis
Troy has served as a Laramie County Commissioner since 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
A veterinarian and small business owner, he purchased Tri-State Veterinary Clinic in 1999 after earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University.
He serves on the Executive Board of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association, is a member of the National Association of Counties, and has been an active leader in local government and the Cheyenne community for more than two decades.
Paul Ulrich
Ron Micheli
Paul is a 25-year veteran of the oil and gas exploration and production industry and currently serves as Vice President for Jonah Energy LLC.
Paul serves as a Trustee of the University of Wyoming, a Commissioner on the Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission and on the School of Energy Resources Energy Resource Council.
He is a former Chairman o
Paul is a 25-year veteran of the oil and gas exploration and production industry and currently serves as Vice President for Jonah Energy LLC.
Paul serves as a Trustee of the University of Wyoming, a Commissioner on the Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission and on the School of Energy Resources Energy Resource Council.
He is a former Chairman of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming and former Chairman of the Wyoming Energy Authority.
Paul is also Co-Owner of Ulrich’s Fossil Gallery and Quarry and is a professional flyfishing guide.
He is founder and President of Wyoming Sportsmanship. Wyoming Sportsmanship is a grassroots coalition of Wyoming hunters, ranchers, and everyday Wyomingites dedicated to preserving the traditions of our outdoor heritage.
Prior to his career in oil and gas Paul served in the United States Navy in the intelligence community and served on the staff of a Wyoming Governor and Wyoming Congressman.
Ron Micheli
Ron Micheli
Ron Micheli
Ron Micheli is a fourth-generation rancher from Fort Bridger, Wyoming, with a long history of public service and leadership in the state. He served 16 years in the Wyoming Legislature, holding several leadership positions, including Revenue Committee Chairman, Majority Whip, Majority Floor Leader, and Speaker Pro Tempore.
Governor Jim Ger
Ron Micheli is a fourth-generation rancher from Fort Bridger, Wyoming, with a long history of public service and leadership in the state. He served 16 years in the Wyoming Legislature, holding several leadership positions, including Revenue Committee Chairman, Majority Whip, Majority Floor Leader, and Speaker Pro Tempore.
Governor Jim Geringer appointed Ron as Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, where he served for eight years. He later served five years on the Wyoming State Board of Education, including two years as chairman. Ron continues his service to Wyoming today as a member of the Colorado River Advisory Committee, an appointment made by Governor Mark Gordon.
Ron and his wife, Patty, are the proud parents of eight children and grandparents to 33 grandchildren.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jessie Dafoe
Jessie Dafoe is a Wyoming native who grew up on her family’s ranch northeast of Cheyenne. Dafoe has spent the last two decades working closely with Wyoming’s leaders within key economic industries. Dafoe started in the office of then-Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), worked for the Wyoming Resources Alliance, and was the Executive Dir
Jessie Dafoe is a Wyoming native who grew up on her family’s ranch northeast of Cheyenne. Dafoe has spent the last two decades working closely with Wyoming’s leaders within key economic industries. Dafoe started in the office of then-Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), worked for the Wyoming Resources Alliance, and was the Executive Director of Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom. Jessie is a University of Wyoming alumnus, holding both her bachelor's and master's degrees, and is a member of the 2014 Class of Leadership Wyoming. Currently, Dafoe specializes in Government Affairs work and guides organizations through strategic planning, development, and implementation of operational plans. Jessie and her husband Robin have been married for 15 years and have three children.