We are the hub for activities shaping Wyoming’s energy sector.

The Wyoming Energy Authority combines the existing scopes of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority, Wyoming Pipeline Authority and the State Energy Office, effectively consolidating Wyoming’s energy program into one entity that works to advance the state’s energy strategy by supporting Wyoming’s full energy portfolio.

The Hub of the Industry

The Wyoming Energy Authority coordinates with the entire energy spectrum, empowering collaboration, innovation and growth. This means we:

Promote and support the development of commercial energy projects

Promote and support the development of commercial energy projects

Preserve existing markets while identifying and pursuing new areas for market development

Preserve existing markets while identifying and pursuing new areas for market development

Promote Wyoming’s energy resources and provide education, data and resources with the benefits of Wyoming’s energy assets

Promote Wyoming’s energy resources and provide education, data and resources with the benefits of Wyoming’s energy assets

Leverage financial opportunities to develop efforts conducive to the sustainability of the energy sector in Wyoming

Leverage financial opportunities to develop efforts conducive to the sustainability of the energy sector in Wyoming

Leverage Wyoming’s diverse energy resources for the benefit of Wyoming citizens while preserving environmental stewardship

Leverage Wyoming’s diverse energy resources for the benefit of Wyoming citizens while preserving environmental stewardship

Support the transition of innovative technologies and practices into the Wyoming energy sector

Support the transition of innovative technologies and practices into the Wyoming energy sector

Navigate the Wyoming energy sector through emerging opportunities and help frame best practices for other communities and states

Navigate the Wyoming energy sector through emerging opportunities and help frame best practices for other communities and states

Develop and promote public policies and regulations to ensure the sustainable use of Wyoming’s energy resources

Develop and promote public policies and regulations to ensure the sustainable use of Wyoming’s energy resources

About Us

Advocates, Partners, Stewards, Innovators. Learn more about the Wyoming Energy Authority and Board of Directors.

Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Board

The Wyoming Energy Authority is governed by a board of seven voting members appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate. Five dedicated ex-officio members participate to ensure collaboration across Wyoming’s energy and business development organizations.

Holly Krutka

EX-OFFICIO

Josh Dorrell

EX-OFFICIO

Tom Kropatsch

EX-OFFICIO

Randall Luthi

EX-OFFICIO

Lon Whitman

EX-OFFICIO

Current Opportunities

The Wyoming Energy Authority does not currently have any roles open. 

Please check back again soon.


Director of Carbon Management

The WEA is seeking to hire a state-wide manager to assist in the establishment of the carbon management industry in Wyoming.

The Director of Carbon Management will report directly to the Executive Director and assist with all matters related to execution of the WEA mission. The Director will be responsible for developing and implementing the state’s carbon strategy in harmony with the Wyoming Energy Strategy. This includes outreach and engagement, including carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) prospect and project development to ensure projects are developed in Wyoming. Strategic relationship development will culminate in the formation of alliances, coalitions and public-private partnerships. A primary goal for the successful candidate in this role will be increasing capital deployed in the Wyoming carbon management sector.

Read the full job description to learn more about the position, including essential knowledge, functions and skills.

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter (including salary expectations) to Executive Director Rob Creager.

The application period closes on September 30, 2023.

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Rob Creager

Rob Creager is the Executive Director of the WEA. He previously served as Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Mark Gordon, where he strongly emphasized Wyoming’s economic portfolio and public policy. In that role, he led multiple efforts, including implementing multiple pieces of federal legislation and the successful execution of five pandemic-related business relief programs. He led the Governor’s budget transparency promise by creating the Wyoming Sense initiative. Creager has also presided over several of Wyoming’s state agencies and served as the Governor’s liaison to the White House. He is a native of Casper, Wyoming and a graduate of the University of Wyoming.

Anja Bendel

Anja Richmond

Anja Richmond serves as the Program Director for the Wyoming Energy Authority. She previously worked for Cheyenne LEADS, the economic development organization for Cheyenne, Wyoming, as the Director of Business Development. While there, she worked on supporting new and existing companies helping on diverse projects such as attracting a new Microsoft data center, relocating Magpul Industries, and developing infrastructure and business parks for shovel-ready sites.

Jami Blosmo

Jami Blosmo

Jami Blosmo serves as the Accounting Manager for the Wyoming Energy Authority. She previously worked for Sierra Trading Post where she held the positions of Accounts Payable Manager and most recently Quality Assurance Supervisor. Originally from Metz, Missouri, Jami obtained her BS in Business Administration: Management from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. Jami and her husband Brian reside outside of Cheyenne with their two children, Dalton and Emma.

Patrick Millin

Patrick Millin joins the Wyoming Energy Authority to serve as the State Energy Program Manager. Patrick completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Wyoming. Patrick was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming and graduated from Cheyenne Central High in 2016. Previously, Patrick worked as a Quality Assurance analyst for Everly Health Diagnostics.

Leanne Person

Leanne Person comes to the Wyoming Energy Authority after working 20 years in the public education system.  Leanne serves WEA as the Administrative Assistant.  She attended the University of Wyoming and Pine Bluffs High School before that.  Leanne enjoys all the outdoor activities that Wyoming has to offer.  Leanne and her husband have four children and currently four grandchildren and spend as much family time as possible with them all.

WENDY HUTCHINSON

Wendy Hutchinson

Chairwoman

A rancher from Campbell County, Wyoming, Chairwoman Hutchinson has over 35 years of experience in industrial site development, environmental management, and external affairs.  She is the former Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Millennium Bulk Terminals, an operating bulk materials port on the Columbia River.  Previously, Wendy was the Regulatory Affairs Manager for Thunder Basin Coal Company in Wright, WY.  She oversaw permitting for several major expansions that grew permitted capacity more than fivefold. In 2018 Wendy was named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.  She earned BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from The Ohio State University.  

Wanda Burget

Wanda Burget

Vice Chairwoman

Wanda Burget has over 44 years of experience in environmental project management.

Prior to her retirement from the coal industry, she worked 30 years for Peabody Energy Corporation, where she managed permitting and environmental compliance for four major surface mining operations in Wyoming and served as the Director, Sustainable Development for Peabody Energy Corporation’s U.S. operations. She was also a member of Peabody’s international project support team. She is the owner and principal of Accord Resource Solutions, LLC, a natural resource consultancy.

Mark Stege

Mark Stege

Secretary/Treasurer

With over 28 years of experience in the electric and natural gas utility industry, Mark recently retired from Black Hills Energy, where he held the position of Vice President of Wyoming Operations in natural gas and electric operations. Mark is active in the community and state and currently serves on the boards of the Wyoming Energy Authority (Secretary/Treasurer), Laramie County Community College Foundation Board (Vice President), and the Blue Federal Credit Union Board (Vice President). Mark also served as the past chairman of the board for the WEA, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority and LEADS. Mark received a B.S. in Geology from the University of Wyoming, a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Northern Colorado, and a licensed CPA in Wyoming (inactive). 

Ken Miller

Ken Miller

Kenneth Miller has worked in the mineral industries for over 40 years. He graduated from SD School of Mines with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1975. He served as President and CEO of the Millennium Bulk Terminals Longview port on the Columbia River for three years. Prior to that, he worked at the Black Thunder Mine in Wyoming for 23 years as a Department Manager in Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Major Projects, and Process Improvement. Ken has been a Subject Matter Expert for the Coal Industry before the WY Public Service Commission.  He has worked on mining project locations in Australia, Colorado, and North Dakota. He is a retired Professional Engineer in the states of WY and CO.

Ken is a Past President and Life Member of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute.  He also served 12 years on the SD School of Mines Foundation Board– the last two years as the Executive Committee Vice-Chairman.

Donna Lawrence

Donna Lawrence

Donna Lawrence is Tax Manager, Property, with Denbury Inc., an oil operator specializing in enhanced oil recovery & CCUS with field operations in Wyoming, Texas, Montana, Louisiana, and Mississippi. She has over 35 years of experience in the property tax field, specializing in the oil & gas industry. Before Denbury, her previous employment spanned 26 years at Burlington Resources/ConocoPhillips. Along with the WEA Board of Directors, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Wyoming Taxpayers Association and on committees for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Texas Taxpayers & Research Association, Texas Oil & Gas Association, and Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, guiding state tax policy. She has received several service awards for her professional service to the O&G and Tax industry. She is a graduate of the University of Texas with a BBA in Petroleum Land Management.

Michelle Koch

Michelle Koch is a Regulatory and Government Affairs Professional with Merit Energy Company, an oil and gas company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, she specialized in the areas of environmental regulation, emergency response, and governmental affairs. Her career spans all segments of the industry, from refining and transport terminals to new upstream oil fields to legacy fields that have been produced for over 100 years. Before Merit, Michelle worked for Marathon Petroleum and Marathon Oil Company. Based in Cody, Michelle is an active member of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Industrial Energy Consumers organization. She holds a BS in Environmental Science and Biology and an MBA from the University of Findlay, as well as a Masters in Financial Planning from the University of Alabama.

Kara Choquette

Kara Choquette

For nearly 15 years, Choquette has helped The Anschutz Corporation develop two significant renewable energy projects for the West: the 3+ GW Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County, and the 732-mile interregional TransWest Express Transmission Project. Choquette’s expertise areas include electricity markets, renewable power and federal permitting. She previously worked in water/energy for an engineering firm, and in high-tech for Xerox Corporation. She grew up on a Nebraska farm/ranch and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa and Missouri universities.