CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Josh Dorrell, the executive who steered the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) through a period of intense modernization and pandemic-era recovery, has announced his resignation. The WBC Board of Directors formally accepted his departure during a special session held on October 14, marking the end of a nearly seven-year tenure that redefined how the state approaches economic development.
Dorrell, who assumed the role of CEO in 2020, brought a private-sector philosophy to the agency, emphasizing measurable data and strategic agility. His resignation comes at a time when the WBC has increasingly leaned into digital infrastructure and data-driven economic modeling to secure the state’s future.
A Legacy of Digital Transformation and Innovation
During his leadership, Dorrell navigated the agency through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, the WBC utilized sophisticated digital workflows to distribute CARES Act relief, ensuring that vital funds reached small businesses rapidly. Beyond crisis management, he pushed the agency toward technical modernization, particularly through the expansion of broadband access across Wyoming’s rugged terrain.
By prioritizing connectivity, Dorrell aligned the WBC with national trends where high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but an essential utility for economic survival. Furthermore, his introduction of the Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) program and the Assessment to Action (A2A) initiative signaled a pivot toward modern, venture-backed growth strategies. These programs reflect a broader shift in the tech landscape where states are increasingly acting like incubators, using AI-driven analytics to identify economic bottlenecks and deploy capital where it will yield the highest return on investment.
Addressing the “Brain Drain” Through Modern Economic Strategy
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Dorrell’s tenure was his focus on curbing the exodus of young talent—a trend commonly referred to as “brain drain.” Rather than relying on traditional legacy industries, Dorrell championed the idea of building an economy that young professionals want to inhabit.
By fostering environments that support remote work infrastructure and entrepreneurial ecosystems, he shifted the agency’s focus toward building a “sticky” economy. This approach aligns with current tech industry standards that prioritize lifestyle, connectivity, and opportunity-rich environments over geographical tethering. As the workforce continues to evolve, the tools implemented under Dorrell—ranging from improved venture capital access to expanded digital infrastructure—have provided Wyoming with a foundation that is better prepared to compete in the global digital economy.
The Search for New Leadership and Future Transitions
As the organization prepares for this leadership transition, the WBC Board of Directors is initiating a structured search process. They intend to appoint an interim CEO shortly, followed by a comprehensive recruitment campaign for a permanent leader, with a target of having a replacement installed by the summer of 2027.
While the search for a new head is underway, the agency has assured stakeholders that operations will remain unaffected. The WBC’s regional directors and program teams continue to manage ongoing initiatives, utilizing the agency’s internal systems to maintain service continuity.
Reflecting on his time at the helm, Dorrell expressed pride in the organization’s evolution and the team that will carry his initiatives forward. “The future of the organization and of Wyoming is very bright,” Dorrell noted in a statement. His departure leaves behind an agency that has successfully pivoted from a traditional administrative entity into a modern, results-oriented organization focused on the digital-first realities of the 21st-century economy. As the WBC looks to the future, it does so with a proven roadmap for leveraging technology and venture-led growth to retain the next generation of Wyoming talent.
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