Board Members
Donna Bombeck loves Wyoming, loves RENEW and loves all things financial - but let's back up a little with some history. Donna was not born in the Cowboy State - she hails from the State of Great Faces and Great Places - South Dakota. Rapid City, South Dakota to be specific. And "specifics" are important to Ms. Bombeck; she has a degree in Accounting from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, Rapid City and is employed at First State Bank in Newcastle, Wyoming.
How did Donna find out about RENEW? Fellow bank employee Shirley Harder told her about the organization. Shirley was retiring from both bank and RENEW Board where she was a treasurer. Easy enough transition. Shirley left as a treasurer and then Donna joined as a treaurer. Another reason why the transition seemed seamless; Donna already had experience working with children with special needs in Belle Fource - enough experience that she has some interesting observations.
"Everyone notices the disability to start with, " Donna believes. "Eventually we see the abilities instead of the disabilities.
And about the RENEW organization? "They are doing a great job here in Newcastle. We have new people moving in though and it certainly doesn't hurt to keep spreading the word."
Carolyn has been a special educator for many years, which she has taught secondary special education at Rosedale Jr.-Sr. High School in Kansas City, Kansas, Coopee Home in Fort Collins, Colorado, Newcastle Jr.-Sr. High School in Newcastle, Wyoming and Moorcroft Jr.-Sr. High School in Moorcroft, Wyoming for 33 years. However, she is now retired. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, traveling, bridging, camping and 4-wheeling. She has 2 dogs and 3 cats.
Colleen has been on RENEW board for more than 15 years now. Colleen divides her life into at least three parts. She was born in Chicago where she went to school and raised a family, which she called that "career number one." When she moved to Wyoming in 1982 and began what she called, "career number two" including teaching and working at the BOCES School in Gillette. After many years of working with persons with disabilities at BOCES, it was time for "career number three."
Colleen went back to school, which she attended Gillette College for her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) degree. After she got her CNA degree, she worked as an outreach person at the Senior Center.
Seven years ago, Colleen remarried and retired. Her objective in life is to have fun.
Life has been fun for Colleen even though she still advocates for persons with special needs. She states, "It's been rewarding and I have a personal investment. My son has been diagnosed with multiple disabilities."
Regarding her longtime tenure on the RENEW Board of Directors, Colleen does not mince words or feelings. She states, "It's absolutely vital that people with disabilities have advocates in society. That's what RENEW does. And, that's what I do."
When he's not busy with his wife raising their five children, Corey Bricker is a Mortgage Loan Officer at First National Bank of Gillette.
Gillette is home to the Brickers. Corey is from the Razor City, then moved to Belle Fouche, then to Rapid City and back to Gillette where he and family have resided for the last five years.
Corey's connection to RENEW? Well, he knows first hand about people with disabilities. He has a daughter with Down Syndrome. In Corey's words, "these people are us. Many go unnoticed and others are scared but until you know someone one-on-one, you won't know how special they are, how special we all are. Our daughter is a blessing."
Bricker knows that, in fact, we all have abilities and disabilities and, again, in his words, "I'm excited about supporting an organization like RENEW and telling others about everything we do."
Corey Bricker does manage to free up a little spare time. He rides a Harley and loves all things relating to computers and technology.
Mia is a native of Buffalo, Wyoming and has been back in the area since 2001. She has two children, Aaron and Isaac. Both attend Sheridan's School District #2.
Mia is a graduate of the University of Wyoming, College of Law (class of 2001) and has her own law practice in Sheridan, Wyoming that emphasizes family law which includes divorces, child modifications and family estate planning, wills & trusts. Her hobbies include watching professional football, decorating Ukrainian eggs and knitting. She also loves anything that is associated with food: preparing, cooking, serving, and especially eating.
Mia is the prosecuting attorney for the City of Sheridan. Additionally, she is a Guardian to a Ward that uses RENEW services. She states, "Being a Guardian is most rewarding in our fast-paced, self-centered society. I'd recommend it to anyone that's seriously thinking about this commitment. The amount of time and effort is minimal yet the rewards are innumerable!"
Mia is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Sheridan and has been involved with the Presbyterian Women's Circle and Logos program.
Renee grew up in Minnesota and later moved to Wyoming with her husband and children. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physical Science, and taught in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After her children were born, she completed the requirements to become a Learning Disabilities Specialist and worked for the Special Education Cooperative in Minnesota. Then, she completed her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education at the Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. Within this degree, she completed the required courses to become certified as an Educational Diagnostician.
Currently, Renee is an employee of Western County School District #1 since 1984. Her husband is Senior Vice-President for the First State Bank in Newcastle, Wyoming. They have two children. Her daughter, Melissa, is married and has a Master's Degree in Counseling. And, her son, Michasel, is also married, graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Biology, and now an Environmental Officer in the United States Army.
Hope was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and attended school in Bayard, Nebraska until moving to Douglas, Wyoming in the fall of 1987. She attended High School in Douglas until transitioning to BOCES in Gillette. Hope graduated from BOCES at 21 on May 14th, 1991. She played basketball and volleyball at both Bayard and Douglas High Schools.
Hope became a client at RENEW immediately after High School graduation. She worked various jobs including janitorial at the Wyodal Coal Mine, folding laundry at Towers West Motel, kitchen work at Golden Corral and Hardees. Hope has been employed with Burger King for the last seven years and states she feels very successful and content working there.
Hope is very involved in Special Olympics. She currently competes in basketball, bowling and track. Hope states, "I used to compete in power lifting. I went all the way to internationals in Minneapolis in 1991. I won two 'big' medals which were 1st and 2nd honors. I quit competing in this event because it had started effecting my shoulders and knees. I had made it to the top, so it was time to retire."
Hope enjoys coloring fuzzy posters, tigers, cats and dancing. She used to play the drums and spoons and Wipeout on the drums at basketball games. She likes to sing and states she enjoys making up words as a person plays a chord of music.
Hope has been a member of the RENEW Board of Directors since October of 2007. Hope states, "It makes me feel good to be on this board."
CEO/President RENEW Board
Larry Samson has been the CEO and President of RENEW for an amazing 30 years. And Larry's reason for his three decades of service at RENEW? "I believe we were all put on this earth for a reason, that we should make a difference during the finite time we are here. To be in a position to assist others -- those with so-called "disABILITIES" -- has given my life true purpose."
Samson is a father of four, grandfather of six is a family man and an outdoors man. His office is lined with mementos of family and fauna. There's a sign on his office door that reads "business hours subject to change during hunting season." Larry appreciates the sentiment even if his responsibilities make his fishing and hunting trips in the Big Horns not as frequent as wished.
On a warm weekend, though, Larry and wife Stella do take to the hills or parts beyond on their twin Honda Gold Wing motorcycles. And yes, on the balmy days that Wyoming weather allows, that is the RENEW President and CEO commuting to work on his motorcycle. "Is this any way to live a life? You bet it is."
Renew is the organization providing valuable service and advocacy for a group of citizens who deserve it. I have had the good fortune of being blessed with good family, excellent education and the opportunity to use it. Serving on the Renew board is my way of returning this to the community. I believe the statement that you haven't had a good day unless you do something for someone without ever expecting anything in return. Renew exemplifies this and I am delighted to be a small part of that effort.
Buckey Walters has worn a few hats. With a Masters degree is Criminal Justice Administration and another in Education and an undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in Economics, Walters also has 18 years of experience in the United States Air Force including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Buckey retired from the Military with a total of 24 years of service combining Active Duty and the Wyoming Air National Guard.
Add to that his more than 20 years of Peace Officer experience in Utah and Nevada, it would only make sense that Buckey teaches classes in Political Science and Criminal Justice at Gillette College.
Buckey's newest hat is as Board Member of RENEW where wife Donna is employed as a Support Living Specialist. The Walters have five children and moved to Wyoming in 2004.
Is Buckey Walters excited about joining the RENEW Family as a Board Member?
"You bet; working in the fields I've been in, I've come in contact with lots of people with special needs. I've learned that everyone has something special to offer. There's no reason why folks with a developmental disability need to be institutionalized. I concur 100% with RENEW's philosophy: Don't limit anyone because of a disability; treat them as a human being."
Bryan Bergstreser is Wyoming through and through.
He and wife Kim live in Sheridan with daughter Lauren and son Carson. Bryan graduated from (where else?) the University of Wyoming with degrees in both Information Systems Management and Business. He currently holds the title "Director of Information Technology" at two Sheridan-based companies: Kennon Aircraft Covers and Bella Graphics.
And Bryan's connection with RENEW? It's actually quite personal. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and, while society certainly labels that as a disability, Bryan is the first to tell you, "it doesn't control me in any way."
Bryan continues, "I do indeed have a lifetime of experience of what a disability is supposed to do and how it can be overcome. I also have a passion for what I do. If I can bring my knowledge and skills in electronic technologies to RENEW, that can be a win/win for all involved."