Staff
Josephine Young
PCED Executive Director
Having called Platte County home for the past eleven years alongside her husband, Mark Young, and their 7-year-old daughter, Claire, Josephine brings not just professional experience but a genuine passion for seeing Platte County thrive. With over fifteen years dedicated to leadership, business growth, and connecting with people – often with a little bit of rhythm! – she’s eager to put her skills to work for Platte County.
Josephine's experience as the Executive Director for the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis provided her with invaluable expertise in setting strategic direction, building strong relationships, and driving fundraising success. In that role, she honed her abilities to lead initiatives and connect with diverse stakeholders – skills that are directly applicable to fostering economic development here in Platte County.
Josephine's passion and drive extend beyond her professional life – she currently teaches at Dance Wyoming and previously taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, as well as competing in the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC). That experience truly showcases her commitment and the energy and enthusiasm she brings to every endeavor. As the newly appointed Executive Director of PCED, Josephine is eager to leverage her comprehensive experience and deep enthusiasm for our communities, to contribute to an even brighter future for the county.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors includes a representative appointed by the Town of Wheatland, a member of the Platte County Commissioners, corporate members and those elected by the general membership of PCED. Individually and collectively, they oversee and support our efforts. Our mission is to promote quality growth by mobilizing human, physical, natural and capital resources to produce marketable goods and services in a way that makes Platte County a desirable place to live. We are the primary resource in our region for business information and for those wishing to start, expand or relocate a business in the Platte County area.
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to develop strong partnerships locally and statewide. The board and staff continue to work cooperatively with the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Rural Development Council, Small Business Development Center, Wyoming Workforce Development Center, Manufacturing Works, Wyoming Economic Development Association, Wyoming Community Development Authority, and the Platte County Chamber of Commerce. In addition we have a working relationship with the University of Wyoming, Eastern Wyoming Community College, and Laramie County Community College.
Levi Mickelsen
MBPP
Chair - Board Member since July 2023
Levi Mickelsen has been with Basin Electric for 19 years and serves as the plant manager of the Laramie River Station. He was born and raised in Wheatland, Wyoming. Levi earned his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming and also maintains an active professional engineer license in the state of Wyoming.
Levi is married to Brooke, and they have 3 wonderful children together. They love to spend time at the family cabin and enjoy the outdoors when time allows.
Bob Ruwart
Bob Ruwart Motors
Immediate Past - Board Member since October 2025
Executive, Finance, 16th Street Committee
Bob Ruwart has been the owner of Bob Ruwart Motors Wheatland Wyoming since February 1990.
He was born and raised in Denver Colorado. His father owned Chuck Ruwart Chevrolet in Denver. Bob spent as much time at the dealership as he could when he was a young fella. He attended the Abbey School in Canon City, Colorado for High School, then graduated from Northwoods Institute in Midland, Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida with a degree in Automotive Marketing.
Bob moved to Wheatland in 1990 with the opportunity to purchase his own dealership from Chuck Brown, and he currently employees 28 great employees. He has now lived in Wyoming the majority of his life and just loves it here.
Bob and his wife, Rhonda, got married in 1997 and together, raised her two sons, Jeffery and Jason. Jeffery works at the Bob Ruwart Dealership as the Fixed Operation Manager and Jason lives in Cheyenne and works at Cheyenne Memorial Hospital. Bob has two grand sons, Ryland and Carter.
Throughout his career in Wheatland, Bob was on the board for Wheatland Area Economic Development for nine years, and now has been on the board of Platte County Economic Development for eight years. He was on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce in the mid 1990’s for two terms. In 2013, he was appointed to the WYDOT Commission by Governor Matt Mead and served a six year term on the commission representing Platte, Goshen and Laramie Counties. He has been a member of the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Association for his entire 33 year career, and served eight years on the board of directors. Bob Ruwart Motors is very active in the community and supports many different entities.
In his free time, Bob spends as much time as he can at his cabin in the Snowy Mountains and camping with friends, riding snowmobiles and side by sides. He just loves the great outdoors. Rhonda and Bob also love international travel with their friends.
Derrick Sisson
First State Bank
Vice Chair - Board Member since October 2025
Janie Martines
C. H. Brown Company
Treasurer - Board Member since October 2025
Executive, Finance Committee
Janie joined CHB in early 2020 as the Office/Production Manager and a member of the CHB Management Team. She oversees office operations including maintenance and repair of the company’s facilities and grounds, as well as supervises several work areas and oversees day-to-day non-credit functions of the production team. Janie manages and provides technical support/training for company’s loan origination software, and provides leadership, support, problem solving, training, cross training to staff to make sure all departments and associated processes function together efficiently, ensuring clients receive Excellent Customer Service.
Over the past 40 years, Janie’s experience includes working with land developers as a Project Coordinator; Inventory/Production Manager for a company specializing in excess prime and secondary steel; Office Manager/Associate for a commercial real estate management company; and Construction Office Manager/Coordinator for commercial & residential concrete, grading, and underground cable construction companies.
Janie has also served on several community, church, and industry related boards and committees including the Habitat for Humanity Project Playhouse, coordinated many fundraisers, and co-chaired for IE/BIASC Professional Women in Building/California Building Association.
Janie loves spending time with her family and playing with the grandkids. She also enjoys cooking and baking, outdoor activities and traveling, painting, house projects, and spending time at home.
Darren Hershey
Superior Contracting LLC
Secretary - Board Member since October 2023
Daren Hershey moved to the Wheatland area in 2004 from North Carolina. He has operated Superior Contracting, LLC since 2016. Daren and his wife, Crystal, have four children. Daren has a deep love for Platte County and wants to see it grow and expand.
Amy Miller
Wheatland REA
Board Member since October 2024
Amy Miller represents the Wheatland REA. Amy was raised in the Wheatland area and has strong ties to Platte County. She brings to PCED a wealth of business knowledge, stemming from her accounting background and as owner/operator of their family business.
Anthony Bianchini
NextEra Energy
Board Member since March 2025
Anthony Bianchini is a Senior Project Manager at NextEra Energy Resources, overseeing the development of multiple energy projects across Wyoming. With seven years of experience at NextEra Energy, Anthony has taken on various distinct roles within the company, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of our business and the industries/customers we serve. Before joining NextEra Energy, Anthony attended Penn State University (B.S.), and Florida State University (MBA). In his current role, Anthony considers Wyoming his “home away from home” and spends several days a month in the Cowboy State engaging with stakeholders and landowners to discuss project specifics, timelines, and the socio-economic benefits that our projects bring to the communities in which we operate.
Chrystal Dotzler
J G Elliott
Board Member since October 2024
Chuck Ruwart
Laramie Peak Motors
Board Member since May 2023
Nominating Committee
Chuck & Lori Ruwart moved to Wheatland in April 1994 to take over ownership of Laramie Peak Motors, the franchised Ford Motor Company dealer in Platte County. They have 5 adult children and two granddaughters. Chuck enjoys being involved in the community and has served on many local and national boards including the Platte County School District 1 Board of Trustees, the Platte County Chamber of Commerce, Platte County Economic Development, and the National Automobile Dealers Assn. In 2021, Chuck was ordained as a Deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne and currently serves at St. Patrick Church in Wheatland. Chuck enjoys snow skiing, sailing and spending time with his family.
Jennifer Stone
Stone Welding
Board Member since December 2023
Events Committee
Jennifer Stone has resided in Wheatland since 1990. She is a current PCED Board Member representing Stone Welding. She and her husband, Eli have recently added the Valley Irrigation Pivot dealership to the many offerings of Stone Welding. Jen and her husband, Eli, have raised 4 kids in Platte County with the last one in High School. She is very active in the WHS Booster Club and believes that investing in our youth pays off in the long run. Being a current board member gives her the ability to help add to the community where all her children and grandchildren currently reside. She would like to see Wheatland grow and thrive in the business and recreation areas.
John Weigel
Platte County School District #1
Board Member since October 2023
Events Committee
John Weigel and his wife, Lisa, and have 4 grown children. John and Lisa are currently both Superintendents of schools in Platte County School District 1 and District 2, respectively. They have four children: Jake is a Mining Engineer and works for Simon Construction out of Rapid City, Mitch is a Petroleum Engineer and works for Continental Resources out of Douglas, Brooke is an office manager for Weston County Board of Commissioners in Newcastle and their youngest Jenna is completing her Ph.D at the University of Wyoming in Counselor Education and Supervision Program.
Lindsey Burke
Piccadilly Playschool
Board Member since October 2023
Events Committee
Lindsey Burke is a lifelong Wyoming resident and a Platte County resident for the last 23 years. Before becoming the owner/director of Piccadilly Play School in 2017, Lindsey was a special education teacher and fourth grade teacher for Platte County School District #1. Lindsey lives in Wheatland with her husband, Sean, and son, Cash.
Matthew Kukowski
PV Bank
Board Member since October 2025
Matthew Kukowski grew up on a family ranching operation southwest of Sheridan, WY. Upon graduation joined the US Navy and served in the Mediterranean and at Camp Pendleton. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he received an Associates Degree from Sheridan College and then Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wyoming. While Attending UW he took an internship with Platte Valley Bank in Wheatland, WY. In 2007 after graduating he accepted a Lender position. Since that time he has served as a Ag & Commercial Loan Officer, and is currently Senior Credit Officer/Senior Vice President. He is also a member of the Wheatland Lions Club.