FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 21, 2005
For more information contact:

Rachel Girt, WBC
Office: 307.777.2851

Willis joins Business Council as new Business and Industry Director

CHEYENNE – Mark Willis joins the Wyoming Business Council as the Director of the Business and Industry Division for the Wyoming Business Council effective March 1, 2005.

The Business and Industry Director coordinates and develops programs to help local organizations, such as economic development groups, chambers of commerce and local government, lay the foundation for economic development. The position also oversees programs to help strengthen and expand existing Wyoming business, as well as recruit new business to the state.

“Mark Willis’ professional experience in economic development is going to make him a great asset to the State of Wyoming,” said Tucker Fagan, CEO for the Wyoming Business Council.

“I am very excited to have this opportunity to work for the Wyoming Business Council,” said Mark Willis. “I genuinely believe in the economic potential of Wyoming.”

Willis comes to the Business Council from the Johnson County Economic Development Commission in Texas where he served as the executive director. Prior to that, Willis worked as President and CEO of the Ada, Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation. While working at the Oklahoma Chamber, he was named the “1999 Oklahoma Economic Development Professional of the Year.” Willis is a graduate of Texas A & M University.

Other professional credits include, serving as Director of Business Retention for the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation in Texas. During his tenure at Bryan-College Station, he was also appointed Senior Counselor for the Chamber's Small Business Development Center.

His private sector experience includes 10 years working as a Field Engineer for the Western Company of North America, where he was responsible for the sale and design of oil and gas well stimulation treatments.

Willis is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council and has been working in the economic development sector for more than 12 years.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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