THE NELSON MUSEUM - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Member at Large

Bob was born and reared in Cheyenne, graduating from East High School in 1970. He attended the University of Wyoming and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honor. After working as a welder and then as a park ranger for the State of Wyoming Recreation Commission, Bob accepted a position at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cheyenne. He retired after 32 years of service as the Chief of Acquisition, Contracting and Materiel Management Service. Bob, a lifelong Wyoming resident, built his own home east of Cheyenne in 1981. He has three children and five grandchildren, all of whom live in Wyoming. Bob has a variety of interests and hobbies. He enjoys playing guitar, creative writing (he has published one book and is working on a second one), backpacking in Wyoming's mountains and stock car racing. Bob raced for ten years and was a late model track champion at Big Country Speedway in 1979. He was a late model crew chief for many years after he stopped driving stock cars. He has also been collecting militaria, specializing in helmets and headgear, for over 50 years, starting his sizeable collection at the age of twelve.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Director of Legal Department

Born on a small ranch in Superior, Montana, the eighth of 10 children, Bruce T. Moats learned the fine art of arguing at a young age. He developed a keen interest in public affairs and the special rights and freedoms afforded the citizens of the United States. This interest led him into a career in journalism. After graduating from the University of Montana School of Journalism with high honors in 1978, he was hired as a reporter on a small weekly newspaper in Lovell, Wyoming. There he found himself "up close and personal" with the subjects of his articles and the effect his work had upon them. In 1984, Mr. Moats moved to the daily newspaper in Sheridan, Wyoming, and was named editor in 1987. As a reporter and editor, he heard all sides of hotly debated issues and saw the strengths and weaknesses of each. Mr. Moats was elected to the Wyoming Press Association Board of Directors and spearheaded efforts to strengthen Wyoming's Open Meetings Law to improve citizen access to government. He won a number of individual awards as a journalist. The Lovell Chronicle and The Sheridan Press were named the top small weekly and the top daily newspaper, respectively, in Wyoming during his time as editor. He has served as a lobbyist at the Wyoming Legislature for the Wyoming Press Association since 1997.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Director of Scholarships and Publicity

Charla Jeane (Wagner) Nelson was born in Sheridan, Wyoming in 1956.The family (including an older brother,Steve) moved from Sheridan to Lovell in 1960, where she attended elementary, middle and high schools. She was an avid reader and because she spent so much time at Lovell Library she began working there during the Summer of 1969. She lettered in Music her Jr. and Sr. years, where she sang in the concert choir, a double mixed quartet and the Girl's Choir. She was active in and served as President of Future Nurses of America, served on the Student Council, the Graphic Arts team and was a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout her high school years, she worked at the Hyart movie theatre, The Lovell Chronicle and as a sales clerk at Busy Corner Pharmacy. She graduated from LHS in 1974 at the age of 17. Charla went on to attend Billings Business College in Billings MT. Upon receiving her certificate of completion, she returned to Lovell, was married, and accepted a position as the payroll clerk for Georgia Pacific. She moved into the banking industry in 1977, working as a bank teller and accountant. She was active as organist for St.John's Lutheran Church, where she also taught Sunday School, sang in the adult choir and directed the children's choir. Her son, Aaron, was born in Lovell in 1978. In 1986,they moved to Cheyenne, where she pursued her career in banking. In 1993, she applied her banking experience to a new career as the Bank Accountant for the State of Wyoming in the Treasurer's office, where she worked for 10 years. She was also active at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served as organist, Sunday School teacher, adult choir member and director of the children's choir. In 1996, she became a member/mentor of the Laramie County Community College choir and Cantorei Singers, where she scheduled and organized tours for the choirs, which Aaron was also a member of. During the next 4 years, the choir toured annually and performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC (twice) and Italy. Charla and Bob met in 1999 and were married in 2003. Together, she and Bob have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. They currently maintain residences in Cheyenne and Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they've established two art galleries and two jewelry stores. Together,they are even more passionate and supportive of the arts, serving as proud sponsors of the Cheyenne Symphony, Cheyenne Chamber Singers, All-City Children's Chorus, the Santa Fe Symphony and Desert Chorale. She shares Bob's passion for all things Western and is honored to hold a position on the Museum Board, where she serves as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. She also works full-time as Director of Manitou Galleries in Cheyenne.

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Director of Collections

Dale acquired a love of western history and culture at an early age. He is a fifth generation Coloradoan, having been born on the family's ranch, homesteaded by his great, great grandparents in 1866 near Peyton, Colorado. His immersion into history began at birth; his Grandfather who was a western history buff passed the passion on to his grandson Dale. At an early age he learned to ride horses, herd cows and other tasks of ranching life. This opportunity gave him first-hand knowledge of the ways of a working cowboy and lost arts. After college, with the war in Vietnam continuing he was drafted into the Army. Once commissioned, he became an Artillery officer, rising to the rank of Captain and Battery Commander. This experience provided an interest in military history that remains alive today. He has become an expert in the field and has consulted for many groups, movies, and museums. He has lectured at the high school and college levels, as well as giving talks to various groups. Once his military service was complete, Dale started his career as an Engineer for a major Telecommunications company. Having spent twenty eight years in this chosen profession he retired in 2003. In February 2004 Dale became the Director of Collections at the Nelson Museum of the West, a position he currently holds.

Job Titles:

• Director of Volunteers
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

Job Titles:

• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Director of Military Affairs

Jerry Johnston was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He moved with his family of 7 to Montana followed by the state of Washington. There he graduated from high school and was drafted in to the United States Army at the age of 19. Jerry spent the next 23 years in the Army serving in various places and units to include Infantry/Combat Support and Military Intelligence. His major duty positions included Detachment Sergeant and Operations Sergeant assignments. Jerry retired in 1995 as a Detachment Sergeant. His Military Awards include: Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. Jerry is also a 100 percent service-connected disabled veteran. Upon retiring from the Army, Jerry and his family moved back to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he attended Laramie County Community College on the GI bill and Vocational Rehabilitation from the VA. During this time Jerry acquired full employment at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center from his Vocational Rehabilitation training. He worked in the BIOMED Engineering Department as an Electronic Technician for 15 years, until he had to take a medical retirement. Jerry's past and present hobbies and interests include, collecting WW1 and WW2 Infantry weapons among other firearms, fishing and hunting. Jerry is also a life time member of the NRA.

Job Titles:

• Adjutant General Wyoming Air National Guard

Major General Charles Wing's military career began in Newcastle when he enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard in October, 1949 as a private. He recieved an ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1954 upon graduating from the University of Wyoming. Wing served on active duty for approximately 3-1/2 years. His active duty service included two years in West Germany with the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment (6th ACR) and the 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Division during the Cold War (1955-1957). Wing's primary active duty assignment was an Army Aviator. Wing rejoined the Wyoming National Guard in 1958 serving continuously until his retirement on January 8, 1995. Wing was appointed as Adjutant General in 1987. He served in this capacity for approximately eight years emphasizing training, readiness, securing new facilities, and the improvement of the modern equipment at the Lieutenant General R.L. Esmay Training Center, Camp Guernsey. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Department of Defense Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge (with pistol clasps). He also received the Medal of Excellence from the Wyoming National Guard Association.

Job Titles:

• Commander, Air Armament Center

Maj. Gen. Michael C. Kostelnik is commander, Air Armament Center, Air Force Materiel Command, with headquarters at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The center is responsible for development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons. Additionally, AAC plans, directs and conducts test and evaluation of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation and guidance systems, and command and control systems. The center operates two Air Force installations, providing host support to both Eglin and Kirtland Air Force bases and supports the largest single base mobility commitment in the Air Force. The general was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program in 1969 upon graduation from Texas A&M University. He earned a master's degree from the University of Iowa and completed postgraduate doctoral course work before entering active duty in 1970. A command pilot, he has logged 3,000-plus flying hours in more than 40 aircraft types. He has served as a test pilot and test squadron operations officer conducting developmental flight tests on various weapon systems. He was the Air Staff requirements officer for the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night system, and the program element monitor for the F-15E and F-22. He later served as the commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School. A certified acquisition professional, he has served as deputy director of the F-16 Systems Program Office and as program director for the Short-Range Attack Missile II, the Short-Range Attack Missile-Tactical, and the Aircraft Systems Program Office. He also served as vice-commander of the Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center, and later, of Air Force Materiel Command.

Philip L. Bolte served thirty years in the U.S. Army in a broad range of troop and research and development assignments. He has extensive experience in major weapon system program management, test facility management, and staff planning of military acquisition programs. He completed his military service in 1980. As Program Manager, Fighting Vehicle Systems, he directed the latter stages of the design and development, the testing, production initiation, and logistic support planning of the Bradley Fighting Vehicles and their associated weapons and ammunition, as well as the derivative carrier for the Multiple Launch Rocket System. Serving as Assistant Project Manager (Tank Main Annament Development), XMI Tank System, he directed weapon and ammunition development for the Abrams Main Battle Tank. As U.S. Working Group Chainnan, Tripartite Tank Main Annament Evaluation, he directed U.S. efforts in joint Gennan-UK-US conduct of a multi-year, multimillion dollar test and evaluation of national candidate weapons. He served as Assistant for Combat Materiel to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Development), providing analyses and recommendations for high-level decisions concerning combat vehicles and other tactical materiel. He also served on the Army Staff in communications-electronics research and development. As Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, he developed and executed policies for the management of nine test and evaluation facilities with a working force of more than 12,000. General Bolte commanded Armor units from platoon to brigade, with combat service in Korea and Vietnam, finally serving as commander of the Army's only Armor training brigade. In this capacity, he supervised a staff in excess of 1,000 in the programming, budgeting, scheduling, and conduct of the training of all tank crewmen and cavalry scouts entering the Army, an annual training load of over 10,000. His military decorations and awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star (with one oak leaf cluster), Purple Heart (with one oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge (two awards), and senior parachutist badge. He also holds the Vietnamese National Order (Fifth Class) and three awards of the Gallantry Cross with Palm. For two years after retirement, he worked for a small defense consultant finn and then became an independent consultant, working primarily in the area of combat vehicles. His activities included assisting industry in understanding and assessing military markets, preparing and reviewing proposals, and in forming appropriate teams of domestic and foreign companies. Clients included major U.S. defense companies such as FMC, Honeywell, and General Electric; foreign firms such as Israel Military Industries and Tanque Argentino Mediano; defense marketing firms such as DGA and IPAC; professional service companies such as BDM and VSE; and other major U.S. companies such as Deere & Company and Booze Allen & Hamilton. He has also been an associate of Burdeshaw Associates, Ltd., since 1982. Other activities after retirement included extensive writing for U.S. and foreign defense publications, including writing a column, "Tank-Automotive News," for "National Defense" for ten years. In addition, he served as chapter president for Association of the U.S. Army and U.S. Armor Association chapters in the Washington, DC, area. He also chaired the annual American Defense Preparedness Association Combat Vehicles Conference for five years. He has been awarded the American Defense Preparedness Association Bronze Medal, the U.S. Armor Association Gold Medallion of the Order of St. George, and the Cavalry Medal of the U.S. Cavalry Association. In recent years he has turned his attention more to military history, especially writing magazine articles. He is also Chairman and President of the U.S. Cavalry Association and a Director of the Council on America's Military Past (CAMP). He also has taught occasionally in the Lifetime Learning Institute of Anderson University and conducts staff rides of the Chancellorsville Battlefield from time to time.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
• Founder - Chief Executive Officer