Salary: Negotiable
Location : Cheyenne, WY
Job Type: Contract Full-time
Job Number: 2026-WBC
Department: Wyoming Business Council
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
FLSA: Determined by Position
Job Classification: CEO
Description and FunctionsInterim Chief Executive OfficerAppointment: Approximately nine to 12 months
Start Date: As soon as possible, by mutual agreement
Compensation: Negotiable, based on qualifications and expertise
The interim CEO's charge Reporting to the WBC Board of Directors, the interim CEO will provide steady executive leadership while working in concert with the Board, the outgoing and incoming gubernatorial administrations, legislative leaders, WBC staff, and statewide partners. The interim will help create the conditions for a successful permanent CEO transition and set the stage for the next era of the WBC. The appointment is designed to produce practical, decision-ready groundwork during a period of uncertainty and transition. The interim CEO will advance work already underway, 1 surface options and tradeoffs, and preserve the ability of the incoming Governor and any newly constituted Board of Directors to set final policy and strategic direction.
Key responsibilities and outcomes- Maintain operational stability and staff confidence. Lead WBC's day-to-day work, maintain clear priorities and sound financial and organizational controls, communicate consistently with employees, and identify near-term risks or decisions requiring Board attention.
- Strengthen trust and external relationships. Listen to legislators, state and local officials, business and civic leaders, economic development organizations, education and workforce partners, and other stakeholders. Identify areas of alignment, concerns, and practical opportunities for better coordination; establish a clear engagement and communications approach.
- Prepare for the permanent CEO search. Work with the Board to define the search process and schedule, assist in selecting and engaging a national search firm, develop a transition-ready leadership profile and candidate materials, and organize a thorough handoff for the permanent CEO.
- Advance regional planning design. Help the Board and partners shape a durable, locally grounded regional planning structure. Drawing on relevant state and regional practice, including the Brookings state-regional playbook, develop options for regional boundaries or collaboratives, partner roles, planning support, and alignment between regional priorities and state investments. Keep the design responsive to Wyoming's communities and existing institutions.
- Develop a strategic foundation and shared evidence base. Synthesize the findings and recommendations of ENDOW, the Harvard Growth Lab, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) work, current WBC initiatives, and regional and stakeholder input. With the Board and state leaders, prepare a concise, high-level strategy framework that clarifies possible statewide priorities, opportunities, tradeoffs, and implementation questions.
- Establish useful measures of progress. Work with the Board and partners to identify a manageable set of leading and lagging indicators for statewide economic conditions and WBC performance. Recommend an approach to transparent reporting, financial stewardship, and a practical dashboard that supports decisions and learning.
- Support legislative consideration and implementation. During the legislative session, build on the statutory recommendations previously presented to the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, and work with the Board, the Governor's Office, legislators, and WBC staff to provide timely, balanced analysis and practical support as committee measures and individual legislator-sponsored bills affecting WBC are developed and considered. Clarify operational and fiscal implications, answer technical questions, and help prepare to implement enacted changes across rules, programs, staffing, and funding, consistent with Board direction.
Early priorities and deliverablesEarly priorities will include listening and operational assessment, agreement with the Board on a focused work plan, and a clear engagement protocol for the leadership transition. Over the appointment, the interim CEO is expected to provide the Board with regular progress updates and usable work products.
Possible work products include: a transition assessment of operations, relationships, and near-term decisions; a stakeholder summary of alignment and open questions; a regional planning framework and statewide synthesis; a strategy foundation integrating prior research, current WBC work, and regional perspectives; proposed leading and lagging indicators and reporting; a review of statutory, program, staffing, and funding questions; and a permanent CEO search plan, leadership profile, and transition record. The scope and sequence of deliverables will be agreed upon with the Board and adjusted as governance, legislative, and transition decisions develop. The interim CEO will emphasize clear analysis and decision support over producing plans that cannot be implemented or sustained.
QualificationsDesired experience and leadership strengths- Senior executive experience leading an economic development organization, regional development effort, or business growth work at the state or regional level.
- A record of maintaining effective operations and guiding an organization through significant transition, governance change, or leadership succession.
- Experience across multiple states or territories is especially valuable, and candidates providing such background will have preference.
- Credibility working with governors, legislators, local elected officials, senior public administrators, private-sector CEOs, and community and regional partners.
- Skill in building trust, listening across differing views, facilitating difficult conversations, and communicating clearly and constructively.
- Experience translating economic analysis and stakeholder priorities into strategy, useful measures, and implementable recommendations, with an understanding of state and local economic development systems and public-private partnerships.
Supplemental InformationAppointment and application The appointment is expected to last approximately nine to 12 months, with the exact term set by the WBC Board. The position will have a physical office in Cheyenne (although a flexible work arrangement may be agreed to), will require regular travel throughout Wyoming and occasional out-of-state travel, and is expected to begin by mutual agreement.
To apply, submit a cover letter describing relevant leadership experience and approach to the interim assignment, a resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications should be submitted to
Review of applications will be ongoing, and this position will remain open until filled. Questions regarding this opportunity may be directed to Chava Case, Operations Director, at or 307.777.2823.
Non Benefit Position
