Vernon became the Executive Director for United Way of Laramie County on June 1st of last year. He brings with him over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit arena.
After graduating from Northeast Missouri State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology, Vernon became a police officer with the St. Louis County Police Department. Later he became a correctional officer at the maximum-security United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois.
His education and work experience in the social sciences eventually led Vernon to pursue studies in pastoral ministry. He completed a five-year course of study through Paul VI (6) Pontifical Institute in St. Louis, Missouri with an emphasis on serving the poor and marginalized members of society.
Vernon eventually came to Cheyenne in 2009 as the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne. He stayed in that role through 2018.
Before coming to United Way of Laramie County as the Executive Director, Vernon had been serving as the Director of Operations for the homeless shelter in Greeley, Colorado.
Vernon’s understanding of current social issues, his experience in managing operations of nonprofit organizations, and his ability to raise funds for philanthropic endeavors, will be a tremendous asset for United Way of Laramie County.
Our newest Rotarian is Matthew Snyder sponsored by Mick Finnegan.
Matthew was born in New York City, grew up in New Jersey within a stone's throw of the Liberty Bell. He attended York College of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in Sports Management. He began his career with a minor league hockey team in Atlantic City, where in his first professional season he was a part of a Kelly Cup Championship and earned a championship ring. He moved on to law school outside of St Petersburg, Florida where he found his passion for civil rights law and began to establish a career in disability advocacy.
Snyder ventured back into minor league sports in 2016 when he negotiated the purchase of four franchises for a client and then found himself managing the business operations of each franchise. After serving in this role for two years, Matthew was hired by the Casper Horseheads to serve as their General Manager. After five months in this role, Matthew suffered from a major seizure episode which resulted in a diagnosis of epilepsy. Facing this new challenge, Matthew turned his career toward health care, serving in operational and administrative capacities with a home health care company here in Cheyenne, a behavioral health facility in Casper and now Community Action of Laramie County-Crossroads Healthcare Clinic for the Homeless. Among his varied accomplishments, Matthew is most proud to be Johanna Snyder's husband and a father to Jacob Snyder, they are most certainly the loves of his life. Matthew is proud to be a member of Rotary and hopes to contribute in a meaningful and long-lasting way.
Ed Wright, our Rotarian of the Week, grew up in Idaho and Arizona. His first job was landscaping in Scottsdale, Arizona for $6 per hour. He graduated from Gilbert High School, home of the Tigers, with 68 in his class. After high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years. Subsequently, he earned an associate’s degree from Mesa Community College, a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Arizona State, an Education Specialist Degree from Idaho State, and a doctorate from Montana State. Our Rotarian of the Week went on to teach in South America and Idaho, before taking an elementary school teacher position in Gillette, Wyoming. Within a year, he became an elementary school principal and subsequently the associate superintendent for Campbell County School District.
He has also taught political science and history at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. He did this while serving admirably in the Wyoming National Guard. In 2003, Governor Freudenthal named him The Adjutant General for the State of Wyoming, a position he held for 8 years.
Ed, and his wife, Meg, have been married 47 years, have three kids and seven grandkids. Ed was sponsored into our club by General Ed Boenisch. He currently serves on our Board of Directors, as club greeter and on the Veteran Trolley committee. He also previously served as the President of the Torrington Rotary Club. His favorite Rotary moments are attending inspiring numerous District Conferences and PETS trainings. He likes Rotary for all of the good work it does in the community and the international projects it supports
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Ed’s favorite meal is fried chicken with fried potatoes. When he is not spending time with family, he enjoys running cattle, reading, and traveling. He is also finishing his second six-year term on the Wyoming Parole Board. Other than family, Ed’s proudest accomplishment came during his time as Wyoming Adjutant General. With our nation at war, every unit in the Wyoming Army and Air National Guard, with the exception of the band, was deployed. Many of those units deployed multiple times. The staff and Ed were most proud of the support they provided to both the military members and their families. It was both his greatest challenge and accomplishment.
International leaders from Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Optimist recently met at Rotary International headquarters in Illinois. Great discussion was held on how we can all work together in providing much needed service in our communities. Discussion included the upcoming joint program on September 11-17, 2022 on working together with each other. "Celebrate Community" is a joint initiative between the four major volunteer service organizations, and will continue this year with a focus on local community service. Through "Celebrate Community", Kiwanis, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International and Rotary International will encourage local clubs to reach out to one another for collaboration on projects that improve and benefit their communities. This meeting was led by Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President 2022-2023.
City of Evanston celebrates 68 years as home to Rotary International World HeadquartersEVANSTON, Ill. (Aug. 23, 2022) — With ten commemorative signs posted throughout Evanston this week, the city proudly marks its 68th
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