Governor's Office
State Capitol, 200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0010
307.777.7434 (phone)
307.632.3909 (fax)
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Chris Boswell
Chief of Staff
Prior to becoming Governor Freudenthal’s Chief of Staff in 2003, Chris represented Sweetwater County in the Wyoming Legislature for eleven years. From 1994 to 2000, he was minority caucus chairman and, from 2000 to 2003, served as minority floor leader in the Wyoming House of Representatives. Chris owned the Embassy Tavern in Green River from 1984 until 2003. Prior to going into business, he was news director for Green River's KUGR radio from 1981 to 1983, and served as assistant press secretary to Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-WY) from 1980-1981. The Wind River Mountains and the National Outdoor Leadership School drew Chris to Wyoming at age 14, in 1972. He moved here three years later, and earned a bachelor's degree in broadcasting from the University of Wyoming in 1980, followed by a master's degree in journalism in 1989. Chris is married to Kathryn Boswell.
cboswe@state.wy.us
Ryan Lance
Deputy Chief of Staff
After graduating from the University of Wyoming (B.S. 1998, J.D. 2001), Ryan started his career in a small law firm in his hometown of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Following his time in Thermopolis, Ryan joined the Wyoming Attorney General's Office, where he served as the Tobacco Settlement Attorney for the state. In 2003, he joined the Governor's Office and worked as the state's Endangered Species Act Policy Coordinator. He was later appointed to serve as the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff until he was asked to work as the Campaign Coordinator for the Governor's 2006 re-election campaign. After the campaign, Ryan re-joined the Governor's Office and re-assumed his duties as Deputy Chief of Staff, where he currently oversees the State Planning Office and works primarily on natural resource policy issues. Ryan's wife, Beth, also an attorney, works in the Wyoming Attorney General's Office. Ryan and Beth recently welcomed a new addition to their family with the birth of their son, Andrew. As diehard University of Wyoming fans, Ryan and Beth (and now Andrew) very much enjoy Cowboy and Cowgirl athletics. Ryan also likes to fish, hunt and experience Wyoming's great outdoors.
rlance@state.wy.us
Kelly Rankin
Counsel to the Governor
Kelly Rankin is a native of Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming for both his undergraduate and law degrees. Upon graduation, he was a deputy county attorney in Lincoln County from 1994 to 1995. Thereafter, he served in the Park County Attorney’s Office from 1995 until 2003. He served there as a deputy county attorney and was elected twice to the position of County Attorney. In 2003, Kelly joined the United States Attorney’s Office where he served as the lead attorney for the District’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). In April 2008, Kelly was nominated by President Bush to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming. He was later confirmed by the United States Senate and served in that position until January 4, 2010. Kelly and his wife, Cindy, reside in Cheyenne.
kranki@state.wy.us
Connie Coleman
Administrative Director and Scheduler
Following a very brief retirement, Connie joined Governor Freudenthal’s Office in January of 2010, Connie worked in the Director’s office of Wyoming Game and Fish Department beginning in 1999, and took over the duties as Executive Assistant to the Director in 2003, where she continued in that position under several directors until she retired in mid-2009. Although born and raised in Seattle, she moved to Wyoming in 1993 and considers the state her permanent home. When she is not working on behalf of the State of Wyoming, she enjoys traveling with her family, taking her two therapy dogs on local visits, working in her yard, reading and taking advantage of the outdoors in Wyoming.
ccolem@state.wy.us
scheduler@state.wy.us
Patti Burns
Executive Assistant
Patti was raised in Cheyenne. A long-time state employee, she worked previously at the Department of Environmental Quality before joining the Governor’s staff in 2003. One of Patti’s primary duties is to assist the Governor in finding citizens interested in serving the state on the various boards and commissions. She also assists the Chief of Staff, works on special projects, and maintains a number of databases in the office. Her hobbies include travel, photography and creating stained glass windows.
pburns@state.wy.us
Judy Mitchell
Executive Assistant
Born and raised in Sidney, Nebraska, Judy began working for the Governor in 2003 and immediately established tracking and central filing systems for all incoming calls, letters, emails, and faxes from constituents. She now assists with scheduling, reservations and correspondence. In addition to having a background in business as an administrator and part-owner of a child care center, Judy has legal, banking and educational work experience. She has two children, four grandchildren, and enjoys horseback riding, yard work and taking walks with her three Corgis.
jmitch4@state.wy.us
JuDean Young
Executive Assistant
JuDean worked in the private sector for years before volunteering for Governor Freudenthal’s first campaign. She graduated from high school in Aberdeen, Idaho and attended Idaho State University Vo-tech. Judean made two great choices in 1981 – getting married and moving to Wyoming. She has four kids and loves the outdoors, especially camping and fishing with her family.
jyoung@state.wy.us
Melissa Hayes
Executive Assistant
Melissa served as coordinator for the Governor’s CBM Task Force. Prior to joining the policy office, she worked as an Office Manager for three AM radio stations based in Colorado and as a legal assistant for a Fort Collins attorney. She enjoys fishing, hiking, hunting waterfowl and big game bow hunting. Though born and raised in Colorado, Melissa moved to Wyoming in 2006 and now considers the state her true and permanent home. She lives in Cheyenne with her husband, Matt, baby girl, Matti and two golden retrievers.
MHayes2@state.wy.us
Marsha Geist
Executive Assistant
Marsha was born and raised in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. She lived in both Texas and Georgia and for several years was employed as a Sr. Administrative Assistant in the College of Education at the University of Georgia. After deciding to move back to Michigan, she was employed as an Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Development at the University of Michigan. In January 2004, she moved to Wyoming to marry her husband, Jerry, and worked on a temporary assignment in the Governor's office during the legislative session of 2004. After working in administration at Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Marsha accepted a position as a legal assistant to the First Lady at Davis & Cannon Law Firm until returning to the Governor's office in September 2007.
mgeist@state.wy.us