About Leadership Fremont County

I am a native Wyomingite who loves Fremont County. My wife, kids and I love to spend time in the mountains hiking, on the lake fishing and anything else outdoors. I graduated from the class of 2017 and have been involved in Leadership Fremont County since. I was accepted into the Leadership Wyoming Class of 2022 and graduated in the spring of 2023. I believe that leadership is essential to growing a strong and vibrant community. People must get involved if they want to improve the community they live in. 

 I grew up as an Army Brat traveling and living in many places such as Germany.  Lander was always home to my family.  I love living here and raising my family here.  I am a graduate of the LFC class of 2023.  Through that experience I grew as a leader and learned so much about what Fremont County has to offer.   I enjoyed it so much that I decided to contribute to LFC and join the Board right after graduating.  I am currently the Vice President and Real Estate Officer at Central Bank & Trust.  LFC has helped me in many ways with my professional life, including how to be a better leader within my company. 

 I am a Wyoming native.  I lived in Evanston until 1989, when my family moved to Riverton.  I have worked for the State of Wyoming for 25 years, having worked at the Honor Farm and currently the Workforce Center.  I was employed by Fremont County School District #25 for a short period of time, before returning to the Workforce Center.  I have been married to my husband, Justin, going on 32 years.  We have two adult children, four grandsons, and a Springer Spaniel named Bridger.  I enjoy going to the lake, boating and fishing, camping, hunting, football, yard work, and spending time with my family.  I graduated from Leadership Fremont County in 2012.  After completing the LFC class, I became involved in the LFC program further by serving on the Board of Directors.  I am also on the Board of Directors for the LFC Alumni Association.  In addition, I am an active member of the Riverton DOES and the Elks. 

 I was born and raised in Fremont County, but moved to Seattle, WA to attend college after High School. I ended up staying a total of 12 years in that area, but found myself missing the rural life that Wyoming has to offer. I moved back in 2012, and have no desire to leave the state again! I work at Central Wyoming College as the Director of Housing and Student Life, and joined the Leadership Fremont County Board in the summer of 2018. 

I grew up in Riverton and believe that this is a fantastic place to be from. I have lived in many

places in the U.S. but this is ‘home”. I worked for a variety of awesome companies providing

both internal and external customer service. In my work history, I served in high level large

group Management/Leadership roles with Fidelity Investments Shareholder Services in SLC and

Acer America National Warranty Services in San Jose, CA. Upon returning to Riverton, I was

fortunate to get a job with Fremont Co. School District #25 where I was the Insurance

Coordinator, Assistant to the Business Manager and, finally, earned my dream job as HR

Manager for the district. I graduated from the LFC class of 2022 and loved it so much that I

wanted to continue to be involved and became a board member. Our community offers so

much more than I was ever aware of and it’s been awesome to learn and share those things.

I graduated from the LFC program in 2024. I wish I had not waited 22 years to enroll in and embrace this truly rewarding class. Having a business degree and/or owning a business does not make you a natural born leader. In fact, I would argue that people who have been in business or are in business as a leader most likely have a lot to be desired in their leadership style and skills. The class has a wide range of attendees with an equally wide range of education and skill set. So, not only are you paired with strangers in most cases, some are Presidents of local  Banks and some brand new leaders in their area of discipline. But one thing is for sure, you will laugh at yourself, your classmates and learn a lot about yourself and some new leadership skills and ideas.

Each class is packed with information and activities within our amazing and diverse community. I saw places I had not been to yet as a Fremont County resident and visited a few familiar places. Each class is (mostly) held at a different location in Fremont County and uniquely  designed to incorporate the rich history of each location, plus you get to visit the Military Museum and the Big Horn Sheep museum in Dubois and much more.

I encourage anyone interested to enroll and take the class. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences you can get by attending this one day a month program and the cost is very affordable. Do yourself a favor and just enroll, who knows, maybe you’ll become a board member one day.

 I was born and raised in Riverton, where I have developed a deep appreciation for the community. I currently work for the State of Wyoming as the Human Resources Representative at the Wyoming Honor Farm. In addition to the Leadership Fremont County Board, I also serve on the Fremont County Fair Board and the Junior Livestock Sale Board. I grew up in western lifestyle and participated in rodeo from youth through college. I now enjoy spending my summer days at the lake, and making memories with my husband and family. I'm passionate about supporting my community, promoting Wyoming’s values, and making a positive impact through both my professional and volunteer roles.   

Assistant General Manager & Director of Sales, Hampton Inn & Suites – Riverton

As the Assistant General Manager and Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Riverton, I bring a strong background in hospitality leadership, team development, and community engagement. With a passion for creating memorable guest experiences and driving business growth, I take pride in fostering a welcoming environment for both visitors and staff.

Outside of work, I’m a proud parent of three wonderful children who are my pride and joy. I find joy in baking, reading, and exploring the outdoors—whether it's boating, camping, or simply enjoying Wyoming’s natural beauty. I am very passionate about contributing to Fremont County through LFC, and collaborating with fellow board members to support and strengthen our local community.

I moved to Lander in 1988, from the Denver area, after graduating from high school.  I met my husband when I was 18.  We knew each other for only four and a half months when we married and have been married for 36 years. We raised our family here in Lander, enjoying all that Fremont County offers.  I have three grown children and 5 grandchildren.  I love everything outdoors, camping, fishing, riding, and taking the boat out on the lake, and everything in between!  I was a LFC graduate, class of 2025.  I learned so much about our community and the industries, that are in our own back yards, that I was excited to have the opportunity to join the Board.  Along with being newly elected to the LFC Board, I am the Vice President of the Gold Bison Foundation and a member of the Elks.  I am the Lander Branch Manager at Grand Altitude FCU.  I am very excited to use the tools I was given from LFC, to better lead my team. 

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and moved to Riverton in 1999 with my husband and our two young daughters. Shortly after settling in, we welcomed our third child and quickly fell in love with the area’s natural beauty and adventurous lifestyle. Our family enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and visiting as many National Parks as possible. 

As we raised our children in Fremont County, I became increasingly aware of how many young people leave the area after graduation. That concern led me to serve in various leadership roles with youth in our church and through Girl Scouts—eventually leading multiple troops, co-leading the Riverton Service Unit, and as the service unit cookie chairperson, coordinating cookie sales for the Riverton Service Unit area. 

Today, I serve as the Sales and Marketing Director for Plains Floor & Window Covering. This role allows me to connect with both longtime residents and newcomers, giving me a unique perspective on community trends, relocation patterns, and business relationships throughout Fremont County. 

Now a proud grandmother of five—all living within five miles of my home—I remain deeply invested in the future of our community. Graduating from the Leadership Fremont County program reignited my passion for local engagement and showed me just how many incredible resources and opportunities our county offers. I’m honored to support the next generation through service on the board, helping them find purpose and lasting connection in Fremont County.

Ryan Preston began his hospitality career in 1999, quickly rising to General Manager by age 20. His early success saw him overseeing two Inn America properties in Idaho. Ryan's career evolved, moving from independent hotels to major chains like Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, Springhill Suites, and Comfort Inn across several states.

Since 2013, Ryan has been the General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites in Riverton, Wyoming. In 2023, he was promoted to Regional Director of Operations with American Hospitality Management.

Ryan is a passionate advocate for leadership development, teaching principles from StrengthsFinder 2.0 and Standout. He's a graduate of Leadership Fremont County and will attend Leadership Wyoming. His dedication has earned him prestigious accolades, including the CEO Light and Warmth of Hospitality, the Conrad Achievement Award, and the Hilton Award of Excellence.

A Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), Ryan is also deeply involved in his community. He serves on numerous boards, including the Wind River Visitors Council and the Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys restoring his 1974 Ford F250 Highboy, a truck his father bought new. He also cherishes time with friends and family, appreciating classic cars, travel, and adventure.