IMPACT 307 - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Assistant Director, IMPACT Casper Serving Central Wyoming

Job Titles:

• Senior Director
• Senior Director, IMPACT Laramie Serving Southeastern Wyoming

Derrek Jerred was appointed Senior Director of IMPACT 307 in September 2022. Previously, he was the Director of Business Attraction for Cheyenne LEADS, the economic development entity for Cheyenne and Laramie County, Wyoming. Over his eight and a half years at Cheyenne LEADS, he held the Director of Business Retention & Attraction and Business Development Specialist positions as well. Derrek was named one of Wyoming's 40 Under 40 by the Wyoming Business Report in 2017 and is a graduate of Leadership Wyoming's Class of 2018. Derrek actively looks for volunteer opportunities and officiates hockey. Derrek enjoys golfing, traveling, attending concerts, and cooking. Derrek is originally from Gillette, WY and has never passed up a medium rare ribeye or a karaoke opportunity. Derrek genuinely wishes that there was more time in the day for ceramics.

Job Titles:

• Business Services Manager

Elizabeth Gill-Hewson joins IMPACT 307 serving the state of Wyoming as the Statewide Business Service Manager. In this role, she has successfully built an internship program and hired six University of Wyoming interns, while monitoring and guiding their progress through weekly meetings. She also plays a key role in gathering and aggregating data for quarterly grant reporting under the CARES Act grant initiative. Additionally, she assists IMPACT directors with content and logistics for start-up competitions across Wyoming and contributes to marketing efforts by creating reports for managers. Her strong background in operations management, business development, and team leadership make her a valuable asset to the organization.

Job Titles:

• Director of IMPACT Casper

Eric Schlidt was appointed Director of IMPACT Casper in January 2020. He serves on a variety of local and statewide boards including the Mental Health Professions Licensing Board, the Advance Casper board, the Casper College Marketing Advisory Board, and the University of Wyoming- Casper Bachelor of Applied Science Advisory Board.

Job Titles:

• Doctor, University of Idaho College of Law

Job Titles:

• Statewide Marketing Coordinator, IMPACT Sheridan

Jessica Madden joins the Impact 307 team, serving Sheridan County as well as facilitating marketing coordination throughout the state. She brings several years of experience with respect to career counseling and guidance, recruitment and retention strategies, workplace environment and culture enhancement strategies, grant management, office administration, employee onboarding and training best practices, marketing strategies, and crisis intervention. Having lived in Sheridan for nearly 20 years, Jessica is thankful for the opportunity to have the beautiful Big Horns in her backyard and takes full advantage of immersing herself into the landscape whenever she's able. Jessica's outgoing personality coupled with her intuitive nature has served as a catalyst for mentoring employees up the organizational ladder as well as providing dislocated workers with hopeful options and means toward self sufficiency through grants and the collaboration of various community resources. Additionally, she has been responsible for launching and implementing technology upgrades and efficiencies in several organizations, and has created several data collecting and mentoring tools that have been adopted statewide. Jessica serves as the College Relations Director for SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and enjoys working with several nonprofits in the area to further enrich the community. She has a passion for inspiring, motivating, and energizing others to first see, and then reach, their full potential. Jessica's ability to genuinely connect with people is a true strength of hers and she is delighted to act as the "hub" for information and content sharing throughout the state of Wyoming for IMPACT 307!

Job Titles:

• Assistant Director, IMPACT Casper

Job Titles:

• Business Counselor, IMPACT Park County

Job Titles:

• Assistant Director
• Assistant Director, IMPACT Cheyenne Serving Southeastern Wyoming

Josh Keefe was selected as Assistant Director of IMPACT 307 in April 2023. Previously, he was a Commercial Lender for Platte Valley Bank, and the Economic Development Finance Manager at the Wyoming Business Council, the economic development entity for the State of Wyoming. Over the previous eight years in these two roles, not only did he help business startup, but also expand their services. In addition, Josh spearheaded legislation to help Wyoming businesses transition smoothly from one owner to another; keeping jobs alive in small communities. Josh was also an integral part of the Business Relief Programs (BRP) of 2020, in which grants were made to help keep Wyoming businesses open during the COVID pandemic. Josh was named one of Wyoming's 40 Under 40 by the Wyoming Business Report in 2019. Josh volunteers on multiple boards across the State and helps coach youth sports teams. Josh enjoys golfing, traveling, attending concerts, and sporting events; especially UW. GO POKES! Josh is originally from Cheyenne, WY, loves classic cars and useless knowledge.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Director, IMPACT Laramie Serving Southwestern Wyoming

Job Titles:

• Director, IMPACT Sheridan