ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Island!
WHO AM I?
I’m a 50-year resident of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, currently serving my first term as one of your county commissioners. My wife, Teresa, and I have three adult children, all of whom live and work in Sweetwater County, along with our nine-year-old grandson, who is the true head of our household.
I am President and CEO of Kayar Distributing, Inc., a locally owned family business that operates three convenience stores in Rock Springs and Sweetwater County. Depending on the season, our company employs between 20 and 30 people in the community.
I consider myself a strong fiscal conservative who believes in limited government, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and protecting private property rights. I also believe that government works best when citizens stay involved, show up, and hold elected officials accountable to the people they serve.
For more than 30 years, I’ve dedicated my time to serving Sweetwater County through business leadership, job creation, public service, and involvement in public and private boards, organizations, and community groups. Throughout my life, I’ve continually worked to improve both myself and the community I call home.
WHY AM I RUNNING?
I’m running for reelection because I care deeply about Sweetwater County and the people who call it home. I’ve lived here most of my life, raised my family here, built a business here, and I plan to spend the rest of my life here.
From the Oregon Buttes to the Flaming Gorge, from Seedskadee to Adobe Town, and from Boar’s Tusk to Little Mountain, Sweetwater County is home. Its people, communities, industries, public lands, and way of life are worth protecting and preserving for future generations.
For more than 30 years, I’ve worked to serve and strengthen Sweetwater County through business leadership, community involvement, public service, and conservative leadership. Serving as one of your county commissioners has given me the opportunity to continue that work by helping guide the county through both opportunities and difficult challenges.
I’m running for reelection to continue providing steady, practical leadership focused on fiscal responsibility, protecting essential county services, preserving private property rights, and keeping Sweetwater County moving in the right direction.
A REAL REPUBLICAN
I didn't choose the Republican Party just because it was the easiest way to be elected. I chose the Republican Party because I'm a Republican. When I became active in politics in the mid 90's, Republicans were outnumbered by Democrats in Sweetwater County by a margin of about 3 to 1, but I knew that the GOP was the best fit for my political beliefs. Together with a lot of like minded folks, I buckled down and put in the work to build the Sweetwater County Republican Party, and make it the majority Party. Now we outnumber the Democrats almost 4 to 1.
For over 30 years, I’ve worked tirelessly to grow the Republican Party in Sweetwater County, raise money, and support Republican candidates for various offices -- locally, statewide, and nationally. I’ve done everything for the local Republican Party from cooking hot dogs at the annual Halloween party, to acting as the MC for Lincoln Day Dinners. I’ve participated in many Sweetwater County and Wyoming Republican Conventions, where I worked on bylaws, platforms, resolutions, and nominations committees, and I represented the Wyoming Republican Party as one of the delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention. I built and served as the webmaster for the County Party website (www.sweetwater.gop) for years, and have previously managed social media and marketing for the Party. Back in 1999, I even designed, built and launched the original website for the Wyoming Republican Party.
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I don't just ride for the brand, I helped build it.
EXPERIENCE
Experience & Public Service
For more than 30 years, I’ve served Sweetwater County through business leadership, public service, economic development, and community involvement. My experience includes elected office, appointed boards, executive leadership, budgeting, regulatory policy, and long-term community service at both the local and state level.
Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners
Commissioner | 2023–Present
Elected in 2022 and sworn into office in January 2023. As County Commissioner, I have worked on budgeting, land use planning, economic development, infrastructure, intergovernmental coordination, and essential county services during a period of significant financial and economic challenges for Sweetwater County.
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I have served as liaison to numerous county departments, boards, and agencies, including Planning & Zoning, the Library Board, Joint Powers Combined Communications Center, Court Security Board, Airport Board, Southwest Counseling, Information Technology, and Human Resources.
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I currently serve on the Steering Committee for the Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative and as a board member of the Sweetwater County Economic Development Coalition. I have also represented Sweetwater County in multiple Industrial Siting permitting processes involving major energy and industrial development projects.
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Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board
Board Member | 2023–Present
Appointed in 2023 to serve on the Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board, which advises the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality on air quality rules, permitting, and regulatory matters affecting industry, energy development, and environmental policy throughout the state.
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Kayar Distributing, Inc.
President & Chief Executive Officer | 1981–Present
Kayar Distributing is a locally owned family business operating convenience stores in Sweetwater County. I began working in the business as a pre-teen and eventually assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations.
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As President and CEO, I oversee budgeting, financial planning, personnel management, marketing, regulatory compliance, and long-term business operations. Depending on the season, our company employs between 20 and 30 local residents.
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Sweetwater County Planning & Zoning Commission
Commissioner / Chairman | 2012–2019
Appointed to the Sweetwater County Planning & Zoning Commission in 2012 by the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners. I was elected chairman by my fellow commissioners in 2014 and again in 2018.
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During my tenure, I worked on land use policy, development regulations, private property rights, and long-term planning issues affecting Sweetwater County.
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White Mountain Water & Sewer District
Board Member / Chairman | 2000–2010
First elected to the White Mountain Water & Sewer District Board of Directors in 2000 and subsequently re-elected to additional terms in 2002 and 2006. I served as Vice Chairman beginning in 2001 and Chairman beginning in 2002, continuing in that role until retiring from the board in 2010.
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During my tenure, the district was recognized by the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems as one of the best-run water and sewer districts in Wyoming.
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Sweetwater County Fire District #1
Board Member / Treasurer | 2000–2006
Appointed to the Sweetwater County Fire District #1 Board of Directors to fill a vacant position and later elected to a full term in 2002. I served as Treasurer throughout my six years on the board.
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Wyoming Retail Association
Board Member / Chairman | 1995–2017
Served on the Wyoming Retail Association Board of Directors for more than 20 years, including terms as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and Chairman.
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Wyoming State Liquor Association
Board Member / President | 2011–Present
Served on the Wyoming State Liquor Association Board of Directors in multiple leadership roles, including Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. I was elected President in 2017 and re-elected in 2018.
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Sweetwater County Republican Party
Various Leadership Roles | 1996–Present
Active member and longtime volunteer in the Sweetwater County Republican Party. Over the years, I have served in multiple leadership positions, including County Chairman, Vice Chairman, State Committeeman, Executive Committee Representative, and Precinct Committeeperson.
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I have also participated in numerous county and state Republican conventions and served as a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention.
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Additional Public Service & Community Involvement
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Past member of the Sweetwater County Jail Task Force.
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Past member of the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee.
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Past board member, referee commissioner, coach, and FIFA-certified referee for the Rock Springs Soccer Association and Avengers Soccer.
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County Commissioner Liaison Responsibilities
As part of my service on the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners, I have been assigned liaison responsibilities to numerous county departments, boards, and partner agencies. These assignments have provided direct involvement and oversight in areas including land use planning, public safety, emergency communications, behavioral health, economic development, tourism and outdoor recreation, information technology, airport operations, human resources, and library services.
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My liaison assignments and related responsibilities have included:
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Sweetwater County Planning & Zoning Commission
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Sweetwater County Library System Board
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Sweetwater County Fair Board
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Joint Powers Combined Communications Center (JPCCC)
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Court Security Board
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Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport Board
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Southwest Counseling Service Board
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Sweetwater County Information Technology Department
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Sweetwater County Human Resources Department
In addition to these liaison assignments, I currently serve as a Steering Committee Member of the Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative and as a member of the Sweetwater County Economic Development Coalition.
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These responsibilities have provided valuable experience working collaboratively with county staff, partner agencies, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to address operational challenges, budgeting priorities, infrastructure needs, personnel issues, economic opportunities, and long-term planning for county services and community development.
Conservative
As your county commissioner, I’ve worked to make sure Sweetwater County lives within its means and spends taxpayer dollars responsibly. As county revenues declined over the last four years, I supported difficult but necessary budget decisions to protect core county services, maintain long-term financial stability, and keep government focused on its essential responsibilities.
Proven
I’ve spent the last four years serving as one of your county commissioners, and more than 30 years in leadership roles on public boards, community organizations, and industry associations. Over that time, I’ve learned how to build responsible budgets, work effectively with fellow board members, and make difficult decisions during both good times and challenging financial periods. My approach to leadership has always been practical, steady, and focused on serving the people of Sweetwater County responsibly.
Responsive
Making hard decisions is part of the job, but taking the time to listen to the people affected by those decisions is just as important. As one of your county commissioners, I’ve worked to hear directly from constituents, understand their concerns, and make thoughtful decisions that reflect the realities facing Sweetwater County families, businesses, and communities.
Practical
I’ve worked effectively with fellow commissioners, county employees, community stakeholders, and partner agencies to develop practical solutions and implement policies that strengthen Sweetwater County and address real challenges facing our communities.
GET ON BOARD
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