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.
Prior to her current role, Betsey served as President of Three Rivers Development Corporation in Corning, New York. She also held leadership positions with the City of Loveland, Colorado, serving as Business Development Manager from 2006–2011 and as Economic Development Director from 2011–2015.
In 2020, Hale earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council, reflecting her professional expertise and commitment to the field of economic development.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-638-6000
Prior to her current role, Betsey served as President of Three Rivers Development Corporation in Corning, New York. She also held leadership positions with the City of Loveland, Colorado, serving as Business Development Manager from 2006–2011 and as Economic Development Director from 2011–2015.
In 2020, Hale earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council, reflecting her professional expertise and commitment to the field of economic development.
[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
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
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 is dedicated to supporting the day-to-day operations of the organization, ensuring scheduling, accounting, and membership management run smoothly while assisting team members in achieving their goals. With more than 25 years of experience in operations, she is known for her reliability, organizational expertise, and commitment to keeping operations efficient and effective.
Originally from Nebraska, Melissa and her husband, Danny, relocated to Cheyenne in 2019. She remains actively engaged in leadership development, community initiatives, and the CFD Indian Committee.
Melissa is a proud mother of two sons. Hunter currently resides in Bozeman, Montana, and will begin attending Montana State University this fall for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Nathanial pursued welding and graduated from Eastern Wyoming College, continuing in welding while also working as a tattoo artist. Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys tackling DIY projects, cruising the Caribbean with her husband, participating in multiple bowling leagues, and spending time at home with their four dogs—Kona, Diamond, Ellie Mae, and Hazel.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7245
Originally from Nebraska, Melissa and her husband, Danny, relocated to Cheyenne in 2019. She remains actively engaged in leadership development, community initiatives, and the CFD Indian Committee.
Melissa is a proud mother of two sons. Hunter currently resides in Bozeman, Montana, and will begin attending Montana State University this fall for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Nathanial pursued welding and graduated from Eastern Wyoming College, continuing in welding while also working as a tattoo artist. Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys tackling DIY projects, cruising the Caribbean with her husband, participating in multiple bowling leagues, and spending time at home with their four dogs—Kona, Diamond, Ellie Mae, and Hazel.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7245
Rebecca K. Sanchez, M.S.
Marketing Manager
Rebecca is a communications and event professional with a Master’s degree from Tarleton State University and a Bachelor’s from the University of Wyoming. Her background includes leadership development, social media strategy, and event coordination. At Tarleton, she led the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources media team and advised the Tarleton Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.
Previously, she worked as the Member Services Coordinator for the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming, managing member engagement, communications, and events. She has also been actively involved in community initiatives and coaches volleyball at Cheyenne South High School.
Outside of work, Rebecca spends time with her husband and family, plays in an adult volleyball league, and enjoys the Wyoming outdoors—hiking, fishing, and camping whenever she can.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7242
Previously, she worked as the Member Services Coordinator for the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming, managing member engagement, communications, and events. She has also been actively involved in community initiatives and coaches volleyball at Cheyenne South High School.
Outside of work, Rebecca spends time with her husband and family, plays in an adult volleyball league, and enjoys the Wyoming outdoors—hiking, fishing, and camping whenever she can.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7242
