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 primary point of contact for business attraction, investment, and retention efforts at Cheyenne LEADS, supporting both new and existing business leads and projects. She plans and coordinates programs and initiatives that facilitate the attraction, relocation, expansion, and long-term success of domestic and international companies in Cheyenne and Laramie County.
A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Rachelle worked in Central California, Colorado Springs, and Denver before returning to Wyoming. She brings more than 30 years of marketing experience and 12 years in economic development, helping businesses identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
Rachelle has served on the Board of Directors for the Laramie County Library Foundation and United Way of Laramie County. A longtime Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteer, she was inducted into the CFD HEELS in 2018 and served as Miss Frontier in 1993.
Outside of work, Rachelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their two children, Andrew and Jordan. Andrew played football for the University of Wyoming and will serve as an F-16 pilot with the 157th Fighter Squadron in South Carolina. Jordan is currently in her fourth year of veterinary school at Washington State University.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7244 | Cell: 307-630-3966
A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Rachelle worked in Central California, Colorado Springs, and Denver before returning to Wyoming. She brings more than 30 years of marketing experience and 12 years in economic development, helping businesses identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
Rachelle has served on the Board of Directors for the Laramie County Library Foundation and United Way of Laramie County. A longtime Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteer, she was inducted into the CFD HEELS in 2018 and served as Miss Frontier in 1993.
Outside of work, Rachelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their two children, Andrew and Jordan. Andrew played football for the University of Wyoming and will serve as an F-16 pilot with the 157th Fighter Squadron in South Carolina. Jordan is currently in her fourth year of veterinary school at Washington State University.
[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 Hurley.
[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 Hurley.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7245
Breanne Hunter
Marketing Manager
Bre is a graphic designer and digital marketing professional with a background in report and publication design, brand systems, and visual identity management. She leads and executes marketing initiatives that promote the organization’s programs, events, fundraisers and community impact. Her work focuses on strengthening digital presence, developing cohesive visual branding, and helping communicate the value of economic development efforts to businesses, stakeholders and the community.
In her previous role, Bre worked as a Graphic Designer for a Research Firm in Utah that specialized in healthcare technology research. She’s excited to bring her experience of data visualization and information transparency to her role as Marketing Manager.
Bre was born and raised in Wyoming, but spent the last 6 years in Utah while her husband finished his doctorate in Physical Therapy. As new residents to Cheyenne, they are excited to be back in Wyoming and put down roots in our community.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7244
In her previous role, Bre worked as a Graphic Designer for a Research Firm in Utah that specialized in healthcare technology research. She’s excited to bring her experience of data visualization and information transparency to her role as Marketing Manager.
Bre was born and raised in Wyoming, but spent the last 6 years in Utah while her husband finished his doctorate in Physical Therapy. As new residents to Cheyenne, they are excited to be back in Wyoming and put down roots in our community.
[email protected]
Direct: 307-772-7244
