Press Room ::

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 20, 2007

For more information contact:
Rachel Girt
Manager, Marketing & Public Relations
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2851  Cell: 631-4681                    

Wyoming Business Council names new Chief Operating Officer

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Business Council today announced its selection of Mark Willis as the agency’s new Chief Operating Officer.

As chief operating officer, Willis will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of staff functions of the Wyoming Business Council. This position was formerly held by Bob Jensen, who is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council. Willis will start as chief operating officer on August 1, 2007.

“Mark’s management and broad economic development experience made him stand out from the many high quality applications that we received,” said Bob Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of the Wyoming Business Council. “We will begin the search for a new director of the Business and Industry immediately.”

“I look forward to serving the state and the Business Council in this new capacity,” Willis said. “Wyoming is on the cusp of further diversifying its economy with the Governor and Legislature investing in technology projects such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the data center incentive program, as well as projects encouraging the state to develop value-added energy like the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy. There are a lot of exciting challenges ahead for economic development in Wyoming.  I look forward to the continued work with this team.”

Prior to accepting this position, Willis served for the past two years as director of Business and Industry Division for the Business Council. As Business and Industry Director, he coordinated and developed programs to help local organizations, such as economic development groups, chambers of commerce and local government, lay the foundation for economic development. Willis also oversaw programs to help strengthen and expand existing Wyoming business, as well as recruit new business to the state.

Willis has considerable experience in economic development and the private sector. He 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. He came 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.

He received his MBA from 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 and his wife live in Cheyenne and have three children, one of whom attends the University of Wyoming.

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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