Position created to assist Wyoming businesses

A new staff position has been created by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) to assist Wyoming businesses. The Director of Business Outreach was established to help businesses access resources and navigate hurdles and opportunities with the federal government, according a news release from the office of Sen. Lummis. 

                  “This position is kind of new to the Wyoming delegation state-based staff,” Sen. Lummis explained. “The business community keeps Wyoming going, driving innovation and creating real prosperity. I’m committed to partnering with Wyoming business owners to ensure federal policies remove burdens and spur growth, instead of stifling it.” 

 Business outreach

                  In February, Sen. Lummis hired Cheyenne native Brendan Ames to fill the position. Ames earned his bachelor’s degree in American studies and civilization from the University of Southern California and is working to complete his master’s in real estate from Georgetown University. 

                  Before coming to work for Sen. Lummis, Ames served as the Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Cheyenne. In the position, he served as a business liaison for both small businesses and large, multi-national corporations. 

                  “As Director of Business Outreach, Brendan will be a resource for all Wyoming businesses in need of support and those interfacing with the federal government,” Sen. Lummis shared. “Brendan will be engaging leaders and stakeholders to ensure we receive firsthand accounts of what is working and what isn’t on the ground in Wyoming.”

                  The press release stated, “Brendan brings extensive experience to this role from both the private and public sector, having worked on over $3 billion worth of projects. His project experience includes public/private partnerships and government procurement and contracting.”

                  According to Sen. Lummis’ office, Ames will be based in Cheyenne, and will frequently travel throughout the state to work directly with Wyoming businesses. 

Agriculture interaction

                  “Sometimes people separate business from agriculture, but we know it is still a business,” Ames said on interacting with agricultural businesses. 

                  Sen. Lummis added, “We’ve been meeting with quite a few folks around the state. One of the things to come of the meetings is we would like to consider doing more dairy products in Wyoming,” she said, noting there is a huge dairy operation in Laramie County.

                  She continued, “This is a component of business outreach Brendan will work on in the short-term.” 

                  “I’ve had a few conversations of getting Wyoming products straight into our National Park,” Ames said. “This is a government contract and we’re getting left out of the conversation, so I am working to figure out how we can display our own products in our own parks.”

                  He continued, “We have a few of those types of projects in mind and and have been working with the Wyoming Business Council, so we can create economic development centered around agriculture.”

                  Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.