2026Governor's Business Forum
Speakers
Speaker Bios
Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming's 33rd Governor on Nov. 6, 2018. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2019, and re-elected on November 8, 2023, with 79% of the vote, the largest win of any gubernatorial candidate in Wyoming history and the largest margin of any gubernatorial candidate in the nation in 2022.
Mark Gordon grew up on the family ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming, where he learned the values of hard work, integrity, and the importance of working together. As Governor, he brings those values to the table, maintaining his commitment to a Wyoming where her citizens can pursue their dreams while the state retains her unique character. He strongly believes that Wyoming must chart its own course and is a steadfast defender of its interests to do so.
As a conservative, Governor Gordon has worked tirelessly to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path. He is committed to making government more transparent, accessible, productive, and efficient. He believes government is best when it is closest to the people and is committed to giving local communities the tools they need to thrive. He is a staunch advocate of quality education in all modes, public and private, and for all children.
Governor Gordon served as Wyoming State Treasurer from October 2012 until January 2019, when he was sworn in as Governor. During his time in office, he was ranked in the top 100 "most significant and impactful public investor executives." In addition, under his guidance, Wyoming's sovereign funds earned a No.1 ranking for the United States and No.3 in the world for transparency by the Peterson Institute.
First elected Governor in 2018, he successfully led Wyoming through some historically difficult times. Consistently rated as one of the top ten governors in the country, he has spearheaded efforts to diversify Wyoming's economy from technology and finance to agriculture, energy, research, and tourism. He and his wife, Jennie, are dedicated to making Wyoming the best place to raise a family.
Shortly after becoming First Lady, Jennie called on her upbringing and management acumen as a rancher and mother to establish the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, which has meant so much for many in Wyoming suffering from food insecurity. Governor Gordon and Jennie have four grown children - Aaron; Anne; Bea with husband Austen and their son Crawford; and Spencer with wife Sarah, their son Everett, and twin daughters Violet and Eloise
Governor Mark Gordon
First Lady
Jennie Gordon
Jennie (Muir) Gordon currently serves as First Lady of Wyoming. Prior to that, she managed day-to-day operations at Merlin Ranch, the Gordon family’s cow-calf and heifer development operation located in Johnson County. Jennie grew up in Omaha, Nebraska until her family moved to Buffalo, Wyoming. Jennie’s father, Senior Master Sergeant Robert Muir, served in the Navy, Army and the Air Force. Jennie’s mother, Gertrude Muir, was from Austria and after surviving World War II in Vienna, she moved to the United States. She learned English and raised the family’s ten children, often with Sergeant Muir serving away from home. Four of
Jennie’s siblings have served, or continue to serve, in the armed services.
The First Lady received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Wyoming. She worked for 15 years as a laboratory medical technologist at Sheridan
Memorial Hospital. She later served as a field service representative for Abbott
Laboratories where she traveled throughout the western United States repairing and
servicing laboratory equipment at hospitals, clinics and private practices.
When Governor Matthew H. Mead appointed her husband to serve as Wyoming
Treasurer in 2012, Jennie took over management of the Merlin Ranch full time. The
ranch has garnered national recognition for its environmental stewardship and
conservation achievements, as well as efforts to promote the sale of Wyoming beef
worldwide. Jennie previously served on the board of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land
Trust and is a graduate of the Wyoming Leadership Education and Development
(L.E.A.D.) class.
Governor Gordon and his wife Jennie have four grown children, Anne, Aaron, Bea with husband Austen with their son Crawford, and Spencer with wife Sarah and their son Everett and twin daughters Violet and Eloise.
In October 2019 Jennie launched the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, whose mission is to
end hunger in Wyoming. The initiative works to prevent food insecurity by
increasing awareness and support for the work of local anti-hunger organizations
statewide.
Renny MacKay
Renny has a passion for Wyoming and knowledge that growing businesses is what makes the state and its communities more resilient. He is focused on serving the Alliance’s members and helping to build the strongest network of businesses possible. He’s honored to work for a board which represents Wyoming’s key employers and leading taxpayers.
Prior to joining the talented team at the Wyoming Business Alliance, Renny was Governor Mark Gordon’s Policy Director for nearly 5 years. He also worked for Governor Gordon’s 2008 Congressional campaign. The experience in the Governor’s Office allowed him to strengthen and cultivate relationships with legislators, cabinet members, stakeholders, industries, small businesses, and the Congressional Delegation and their staff.
Renny also has communications and journalism experience working for Governor Matt Mead as Communications Director, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Public Radio.
He is an alum of the University of Missouri Journalism School. He and his wife have two amazing children and enjoy skiing, camping and finding new Wyoming restaurants.
