Cheyenne Rotary

Our program this week will be Antonia Gaona, Executive Director of the Laramie County Library System, who will be presenting on updates within the Laramie County Library.

In 2023, Antonia was selected as Executive Director by the Laramie County Library Board of Directors. With over 20 years of library experience and over 15 years in management and leadership roles, Antonia is a passionate librarian with a focus on providing an excellent user experience, maintaining responsive and dynamic facilities and staff, and forging unique partnerships to expand opportunities for all patrons.

Meeting will start at 12:00, noon at Little America.

Join us tomorrow at 12:00, Noon for our weekly meeting and a presentation by Michael Pearlman at Little America.

Michael’s program is titled, “From Sitcom to Statehouse: A Wyoming Career Story”. He will share insights from his unique professional trajectory, which serves as an example of how careers actually unfold, especially in a place like Wyoming.

Michael serves as the Wyoming Nonprofit Network’s Director of External Affairs, where he leads the Network’s public policy and government affairs efforts, serving as an advocate and a voice for Wyoming nonprofits. He previously spent six years immersed in Wyoming state government policy while serving as Communications Director for Governor Mark Gordon.

Michael’s working life began at the age of 6, when he was cast in his first television commercial, a journey that led to a 10-year professional acting career that included working in television, theater and film. As an adult, his background includes experience in journalism, communications, marketing, and public relations in both the private and non-profit sectors. A 30-year Wyoming resident, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Laramie County Library System Board of Directors. Michael lived in Jackson and Sheridan before moving to Cheyenne in 2011, where he now lives with his wife, three children and a golden retriever.

Mark your calendars for our next Rotary Social June 17th 5:00-7:00pm at the newly renovated CFD Old West Museum!

Join us for a relaxing evening, catch up with Rotarians, bring a friend, and get a peek of the new spaces in the museum!

Let's come together and fill the Capitol Building with Rotarians for the Governor's signing of the proclamation for the Rotary Epic Day of Service next Tuesday, May 26th from 2:00 - 3:00 PM.

Rotarians, please check the bulletin for parking and gathering details!

This week’s meeting we will be joined by Kyle J. Wendtland, Deputy Director for the Wyoming Energy Authority, for a presentation highlighting Wyoming Coal: Past, Present, and Future.

Before joining the Wyoming Energy Authority, Kyle served as the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land Quality Division Administrator. Prior to this, he was an Environmental Engineering Manager for the coal industry. Mr. Wendtland has held a wide range of environmental and engineering positions and has extensive experience in mining and mineral extraction. He began his career with the Montana Department of State Lands in 1991, moved to private industry in 1993, the DEQ in 2015, and then to the WEA in 2024. Mr. Wendtland holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Range Management with a focus in disturbed land reclamation from the University of Wyoming. Mr. Wendtland has been recognized for his contributions to the mining industry and advancing reclamation science at the state and national levels. He resides in Cheyenne and grew up in Casper and Dubois, Wyoming.

The meeting will be held Wednesday starting at 12:00, noon at Little America. Friends and guests of Rotarians are welcome to join!

Make a difference in Cheyenne at this weekend’s joint community event May 16th! The Rooted in Cheyenne Spring Event starts at 7:30am. Held rebuild our urban forest by planting trees for a beautiful green future.

Contact Sheridan Peil if you would like to join or register by scanning the code below.

Tomorrow, we will be joined by LCCC President, Dr. Joe Schaffer, as he presents ‘The State of Laramie County Community College’.

Dr. Joe Schaffer considers himself a community college evangelist. Far from successful in his early college pursuits, an associate’s degree changed his life for the better. In repayment, his professional commitment has been to strengthen the mission of the community college, locally and nationally. Dr. Schaffer’s work in the higher education sector spans more than a quarter of a century, serving the past 15 years in the role of CEO at two different institutions.

Dr. Schaffer currently serves as the President of Laramie County Community College, located in Wyoming’s state capitol of Cheyenne. Since Dr. Schaffer’s arrival at LCCC, the College has transformed its campus through more than $200 million in facilities improvements, celebrated multiple record-setting graduating classes, and has seen graduation rates increase by 106 percent.

Our meeting will be held Wednesday starting at 12:00, noon at Little America.

Our program this week will highlight Generosity and Philanthropy: A Study by Gabel Taggart. The meeting will be held Wednesday starting at 12:00, Noon at Little America.

Dr. Taggart is an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at the University of Wyoming and recently finished his term as the Board Chair for the Wyoming Nonprofit Network. In the fall of 2025 he had the honor of piloting an Experiential Philanthropy class where students spend a semester researching causes in Wyoming and donate sponsored money. His two current research focuses are 1)philanthropic literacy, and 2)evolving religious demographics and philanthropy.

Dr. Taggart is currently serving as a Presidential Fellow at UW developing and launching a Factulty Leadership Institute.
He is a recent graduate of the Leadership Wyoming Core Program Class of 2026. Dr. Taggart grew up in Colorado and Utah and has deep, multigenerational roots in Wyoming. He loves to ski, mountain bike, backpack, sing karaoke, and van camp in the mountains of Wyoming with his wife, Breezy, and their two young boys. He and his family can frequently be found cheering on the Pokes as Cowboy Basketball and Cowgirl Volleyball season ticket holders.

Today, we will be joined by Mayor Patrick Collins who will be giving us an update on what is going on in the city, some concerns for the future, and sharing in recent successes. He will focus on the upcoming 5th and 6th penny ballots and their impact on the city of Cheyenne.

The meeting will be held at Little America starting at 12 noon. Friends and guests of Rotarians are welcome to join!

Rotary Club of Cheyenne socials are all about fostering connection, exploring community together, and increasing awareness about our organization. We welcome Rotarians and all those interested in learning about the Club to our next event this Wednesday, April 29th at the Laramie County Senior Center from 5pm-7pm.

Light appetizers will be provided and a tour of the new LCSC will be offered!