Gov. Mead Appoints Task Force

Governor Matt Mead is assembling a group of industry leaders  to help guide the state’s efforts in building a tier one College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University UW. Governor Mead has asked former Governor Dave Freudenthal to chair the Wyoming Governor’s Tier One Engineering Initiative Task Force, and Freudenthal s agreed to take on the work.

Other members of the task force include: Chad Deaton, executive chairman of Baker-Hughes Inc. and a UW geology graduate; Dick Agee, founder and chairman of Wapiti Energy and a UW petroleum engineering graduate; Tom Botts, executive vice president, global manufacturing, Shell Downstream Inc., a UW civil engineering graduate; Greg Hill, executive vice president and president of exploration and production for Hess Corp., a UW mechanical engineering graduate; Eric Marsh, executive vice president and senior vice president for Encana Corp., a UW petroleum engineering graduate; and state Sen. Phil Nicholas, a Laramie attorney and UW College of Law graduate.  Other task force members may be added later.

During the 2012 budget session, the Wyoming State Legislature appropriated $1.15 million to plan for the renovation and expansion of the College of Engineering and Applied Science facilities. Lawmakers also set aside $30 million in state funding, to be matched by $30 million in private donations, as the first step toward funding the project.The total project cost ies expected to cost up to $100 million.

In addition, UW will seek input from a variety of constituents — including legislators, alumni, students, employers of UW graduates, industry partners, community colleges and various advisory boards — in crafting plans for the new and improved facilities. The Legislature’s Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee also will provide leadership.