The Board of Directors for the Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development (LEADS) recently elected this year’s officers.

The new Officers for the 2005-2006 Board year are Chairman Scott Walker of The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Vice Chair Mona Pearl of WSLC, and Treasurer Barry Sims of Taco Johns International, Inc. They replace Chairman Larry Wolfe of Holland & Hart, Vice Chair Scott Walker of Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Secretary Mona Pearl of WSLC; and Treasurer Kevin Paintner of Community First Bank.

Scott Walker, board chairman, is vice president of Marketing and Operations for the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, where his responsibilities include advertising, production and systems. He is also a member of the editorial board and has been with the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle for 11 years. In addition, Walker is Executive Committee vice president and chairman of the Laramie Daily Boomerang in Laramie, Wyo.

Walker has been a member of the LEADS Board of Directors for six years and as well as a member of the Executive Committee and is outgoing board Secretary and Long Range Strategic Planning Committee chairman.

Mona Lee Pearl, board vice chair, is Executive Vice President of Cheyenne-based WSLC, an organization supporting higher education. She has served on the LEADS board for the past two years.

She is 2003-2004 LCCC Dental Hygiene Program Advisory Council chairman and serves on the United Way of Laramie County Board and was 2003 campaign chair. Pearl is a member of the Joint Powers Economic Development Board and is an active member of Zonta International. She is past chairman of the

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a 1997 Leadership Cheyenne graduate.

Pearl earned her bachelor’s degree with distinction in communication studies from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and a master’s degree in management from Lesley College of Cambridge, Mass., studying at the Cheyenne Campus.

Barry Sims, board Treasurer, is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Taco John's International, Inc. which operates and franchises 405 quick-service restaurants in 25 states. He was elected to the LEADS Board in 2004.

Sims has been with Taco John's since 1986 when he moved to Cheyenne from Rapid City, S.D.. He is a CPA and prior to joining Taco John's, worked for the Rapid City office of McGladrey & Pullen. Sims is an Advisory Board member for Community First Bank, past president of the Cheyenne Interfaith Hospitality Network and a volunteer driver for Meals On Wheels.
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