Betsey Hale, CEcD – Chief Executive Officer
Betsey Hale serves as the CEO of Cheyenne LEADS. In this position since 2020, Betsey focuses on marketing the community, business attraction, and assisting local companies to grow and expand.
Betsey previously served as the President of Three Rivers Development Corporation in Corning, NY. From 2006-2011 Betsey was the Business Development Manager for the City of Loveland, Colorado, and their Economic Development Director from 2011-2015.
Hale earned the designation Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council in 2020.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-638-6000
Rachelle Zimmerman – Director of Business Recruitment & Retention
Rachelle serves as the point of contact for business attraction and investment related to new and existing business leads and projects. She plans and coordinates the implementation of programs and projects that support the attraction, relocation, and expansion of domestic and international businesses.
After graduating from the University of Wyoming Rachelle worked in Central California, Colorado Springs, and Denver. Rachelle brings 30+ years of management experience to her position. Throughout her career, Rachelle has been recognized for her ability to drive growth and foster strong business relationships, making her a key figure in Cheyenne and Wyoming economic development.
Rachelle has served on the Board of Directors for the Laramie County Library Foundation, where she served as the Events Chair and was honored to be named the Chairman of the Booklover’s Bash. She also served as the Marketing Chair for eight years on the board of United Way of Laramie County. Rachelle is a longtime volunteer for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Indian Committee, being named Volunteer of the Year in 2013 and elected to the CFD HEELS in 2018. She also served as a CFD Dandy and as Miss Frontier in 1993.
Rachelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve and her two children Andrew and Jordan. Andrew plays football for the University of Wyoming and Jordan attends Vet School at Washington State.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7244 Cell: 307-630-3966
Daunte Rushton – Director of Real Estate & Property Management
Daunte oversees the development and management of LEADS’ business parks and property holdings, managing committed projects and tenants locating or expanding their business operations within Cheyenne and Laramie County.
Daunte is an alumnus of the University of Utah, possessing both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s of Science in Urban Planning.
Daunte joins the LEADS team with over 13 years of experience working for the municipalities of Salt Lake City, Utah; Dallas, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; and Fort Worth, Texas. In each of these cities, he has held responsibilities including zoning plan review, land use planning, economic development, and project management.
He is an avid outdoorsman and recreation enthusiast, frequently hunting upland birds with his German Wirehaired Pointer named Ozzy, chasing elk on bow hunts and scaling steep terrain when he goes trail running.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7240
Melissa Lightfoot – Operations Manager
Melissa comes to LEADS after a 16-year career with Crete Carrier Corporation. Her responsibilities included the company’s account with Walmart and the numerous Distribution Centers in the region. Melissa oversaw two assistant managers, 15 associates and over 200 truck drivers. Under her leadership, her team received, “Carrier of the Year” for Walmart on inbound service for a dedicated account.
Born and raised in Nebraska, Melissa and her husband Danny owned multiple businesses before they moved to Cheyenne in 2019. Melissa was an engaged member of her community, having taken part in Leadership Lincoln County in 2018, as well as their Leader Development Series in 2016.
Melissa has two sons. Hunter is a freshman at the University of Wyoming. Nathanial studied welding, graduating from Eastern Wyoming College in 2020.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7245
Rebecca K. Sanchez – Marketing Manager
Rebecca returns to Wyoming to join LEADS after completing a master’s degree from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. During her time at Tarleton, she worked as the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Media Team Lead and served as an advisor for the Tarleton Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Rebecca’s coursework focused on leadership development, social media strategy, and event coordination.
Prior to moving to Texas, Rebecca worked as the Member Services Coordinator for the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming and coached volleyball for Laramie County School District #1. She was highly involved in community events and hopes to expand her network in Cheyenne and Wyoming.
In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, playing adult league volleyball, and finding a way to get outside to go hiking or fishing.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7242
