Maximizing Your Talent Pool: The Untapped Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities

Move beyond compliance and discover the compelling business case for inclusive hiring. Join Callie Davis from Vocational Rehabilitation in a dynamic session celebrating the tangible and intangible benefits of welcoming employees with disabilities into your workforce.

We will cover essential topics, including:

• The Bottom Line: Leveraging tax breaks and increasing profitability.
• Workplace Impact: Data-backed insights on improved staff retention and increased workplace morale.
• Practical Guidance: Understanding and implementing reasonable accommodations.
• Real-World Success: Spotlighting fantastic employer success stories from across the state.

Walk away with a clear understanding of the perks of hiring people with disabilities and actionable strategies to grow a stronger, more resilient team.

Speaker

Callie Davis, MRC, CRC, CVE

Hailing from the Mountain West, Callie Davis discovered early on that a little bit of ingenuity can turn a challenge into an opportunity. As the Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager for Wyoming’s Vocational Rehabilitation, Callie is an Employment Alchemist. With her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and prestigious certifications (CRC, CVE) as her secret recipe, she specializes in transforming the often-intimidating landscape of disability into clear, mutually beneficial partnerships for businesses. She has spent decades in frontier environments, where she has mastered the art of decoding employer needs and crafting innovative, customized solutions that prove inclusive hiring is not a burden—it’s the smart, indispensable ingredient for a stronger bottom line.

From First Visit to First Day: Navigating Job Seeker Services at the Department of Workforce Services Workforce Centers

The Department of Workforce Services’ statewide Workforce Centers are designed to support you at every stage of your job search, whether you’re exploring new opportunities, reentering the workforce, or ready to land your next role. This session provides a clear and practical overview of the no-cost services available to you through the Workforce Centers and how they help you transition from searching to hired.

The presentation guides you through HireWYO, the state’s online employment platform, showing how you can search and apply for jobs, build and refine your resume, practice interviewing through virtual mock interviews, and access learning modules that strengthen skills, confidence, and workplace readiness.

You’ll learn how to:

• Find and apply for jobs that match your skills and goals
• Create a strong resume using built-in tools and resources
• Practice interviews in a low-pressure, virtual environment
• Build new skills and confidence through self-paced learning modules
• Use Workforce Center services to create a clear, step-by-step path to employment

Through real-world examples and practical guidance, this session shows how the Workforce Centers can help you take control of your job search—and move confidently toward your next opportunity.

Speaker

Lacey LaVake

Lacey LaVake is a proud Wyoming native whose 20-year career reflects a deep commitment to serving the people and communities of the Cowboy State.
Her professional journey spans public service, investigation, and workforce development. Lacey began her career with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, where she served as a Probation Officer and Presentence Investigation writer, roles that grounded her work in accountability, fairness, and public safety. In 2012, she brought that investigative expertise to the WyomingDepartment of Workforce Services, joining the Unemployment Insurance team in Benefit Payment Control. There, she advanced into roles as a Fraud Investigator and Team Lead, strengthening program integrity and supporting critical agency operations.

Since August 2023, Lacey has served as the WIOA Adult Program Manager and Grant Writer within the Employment and Training Division of Wyoming Workforce Services. In this role, she helps shape and sustain programs that expand workforce opportunities for Wyoming residents while ensuring effective use of state and federal resources.

Lacey is a proud alumna of Western Wyoming Community College and the University of Wyoming, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Outside of work, she embraces Wyoming life to the fullest, spending her time in the mountains hiking and fishing with her husband and their two beloved pups.

Keegan Fox

Keegan Fox is the Center Manager at the Casper Workforce Center, where he leads a wide range of services that help job seekers and employers move forward with confidence. In just over a year in the role, he has overseen Wagner-Peyser employment services and coordinated case management across six additional workforce programs—ensuring people don’t just find jobs, but pathways to lasting careers.

Keegan’s approach to workforce development is shaped by an uncommon and dynamic career journey. From serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and working as a State Department contractor to holding leadership roles in the oilfield and transportation industries, he brings firsthand experience from high-pressure, results-driven environments. That perspective allows him to connect authentically with individuals navigating change, growth, or transition. Today, he channels that experience into the mission of the Workforce Centers—helping people build skills, seize opportunity, and create long-term career success.

Safety that Fits: Tailored Workplace Training for Stronger Performance

The DWS Workers’ Compensation Safety & Risk (WCSR) team develops comprehensive, customizable safety awareness trainings designed to meet the diverse needs of employers across all industries. Their sessions focus on strengthening workplace safety culture, reducing incidents, and empowering employees with the knowledge and confidence to work safely and efficiently.

This Virtual Training Series session highlights how WCSR’s tailored approach works—and how it can make an immediate impact in any organization. The presentation also features one of their most popular training options: Behavior-Based Safety (BBS).

Participants will learn:

• What Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is and why it matters
• How behavioral observations can help identify risks before they lead to incidents
• The role of positive reinforcement in encouraging safer actions
• How employee engagement strengthens long-term safety performance
• Practical strategies for recognizing at-risk behaviors and building a proactive safety culture

Through real-world examples and actionable tools, the session demonstrates how customized safety training can reduce risk, improve compliance, and create lasting improvements in workplace safety performance.

Speaker

Taylor Boesel

Taylor Boesel is a Safety and Risk Specialist with the State of Wyoming Workers’ Compensation program who believes workplace safety is most effective when it’s practical, collaborative, and rooted in trust. She brings a unique blend of science, public health, and real-world industry experience to her work, helping employers move beyond checking boxes to building safety cultures that truly protect people.

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and a Master of Public Health from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Her background includes extensive experience in the oil and manufacturing industries, along with multiple certifications across public health and safety disciplines. Known for her data-driven yet people-centered approach, Taylor works closely with employers and employees throughout Wyoming to identify risks, empower teams, and turn insight into meaningful, lasting improvements that make worksites safer and healthier for everyone.

Registered Apprenticeships in Action: Building Wyoming’s Workforce from the Ground Up

What if your next great hire could be trained your way—from day one—while strengthening your long-term talent pipeline? This high-energy Virtual Training Series session invites employers, educators, and workforce partners to explore how Registered Apprenticeship Programs are shaping Wyoming’s future workforce.

Hosted by the Wyoming Apprenticeship team, this interactive panel brings together industry champions from Construction, Healthcare, Education, and IT/Cybersecurity to share candid, real-life stories from the field. Panelists will break down the apprenticeship journey—demystifying the process, highlighting available support, and showing how apprenticeships can be customized to meet real business needs.

Participants will explore:

• How It Works: A clear, step-by-step look at registering a program with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wyoming Office of Apprenticeship.
• Designing for Success: Building strong, flexible program standards that work for both employers and apprentices.
• Fueling Growth: Apprenticeship funding opportunities available through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.
• You’re Not Alone: Ongoing technical assistance and hands-on support from the DWS Apprenticeship team.
• Real Results: Honest insights and success stories from employers who are already seeing the impact.

Attendees will walk away energized and equipped with practical tools, insider perspectives, and a clear roadmap to start—or scale—a Registered Apprenticeship Program that develops skilled workers, strengthens retention, and builds a workforce ready for what’s next in Wyoming.

Speaker

Laura Baker, CISM, MBA, ARM, CEPA®

Laura Baker is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of CyberWyoming, where she leads statewide initiatives to help average citizens, microbusinesses, and organizations understand and manage their cybersecurity risks. As the Executive Director of CyberWyoming, she oversees programs that promote cybersecurity awareness, workforce development, and community resilience. Her work includes managing the Cybersecurity Competition for Small Businesses (aka Made Safe Cybersecurity Business Training Program), advancing practical cybersecurity education for Wyoming’s business community, and developing workforce pathways through tech and business advisor cybersecurity apprenticeship programs.

As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Laura brings specialized training in guiding business owners through holistic exit strategies that build organizational value while planning for life beyond the business. With 9 years of guiding businesses through the Made Safe Training Program and additional credentials including CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), MBA, and ARM (Associate in Risk Management), Laura blends expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, and strategic business planning to support small businesses at every stage of growth and transition.

Brandon Geisler

Brandon Geisler has a Masters license in HVAC and is dedicated to developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. He serves as the Training Coordinator for Advanced Comfort Solutions Inc., where he leads workforce development and technician advancement. Brandon is an NCCER Director and an Adjunct Apprenticeship Instructor for Laramie County Community College. He also teaches as a Metallica Scholars instructor for Laramie County School District #1, supporting students entering the trades. With a passion for education, industry standards, and hands‑on mentorship, Brandon works to strengthen Wyoming’s skilled labor pipeline through high-quality training and community engagement.

Jason Demo

Bio Coming Soon.

Chase Christensen

Chase Christensen is a Wyoming school superintendent with extensive experience aligning K–12 education to workforce and community needs. As a district-level leader, he has championed career pathways, work-based learning, and partnerships that connect students to meaningful postsecondary opportunities. Chase brings a practical, rural-focused perspective to registered apprenticeships, emphasizing access, sustainability, and alignment with local industries. He regularly writes and speaks on public education, workforce development, and community investment, advocating for systems that prepare students for both college and high-demand careers while strengthening local economies.

Tom Holt

As the Programs Manager of Wellness, Engagement, & Training at the Memorial Hospital of Converse County, Holt strives to create and implement innovative strategies in helping leaders and staff work to achieve the Hospital’s Strategic Plan goals. Holt also aims to continue to improve the overall health of Memorial Hospital staff and their families to reduce healthcare costs for those individuals and the organization. Tom coordinates and teaches the monthly orientation for all new employees and serves as the hospital’s Certified Swing Bed Activities Director for our SNF in-patients and oversees the Volunteer Ambassadors Program. These programs offer exceptional (5-star) experience for every patient every time. Holt lives and exemplifies the MHCC Mission of delivering excellent care with compassion.

Holt received his bachelor’s in physical education teaching and Coaching and earned a Master’s in Science Health and Physical Education / Ex. Phys. from the University of Wyoming. He went on to earn his Master’s in Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of South Florida. Holt is an Advanced Certified Personal Trainer, a nutrition and fitness-focused health coach.
Holt values family time, is an ultra-marathon runner, an avid weight lifter, a mountain biker, and loves reading anything non-fiction health, fitness and nutrition-related.

Moving Forward with Confidence: Understanding Your Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Understanding Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits doesn’t have to be complicated. This virtual training from the Department of Workforce Services provides a clear, helpful overview of how to file and manage your UI claim, meet work search requirements, and maintain eligibility. You’ll also learn what to expect if you ever need to file an appeal. Whether you’re new to UI or simply want to better understand the process, this session will help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Speaker

Amy Houck

Amy Houck has spent the past 23 years building deep expertise and passion within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ Unemployment Insurance Division. She began her career on the front lines as an unemployment claims taker and steadily advanced through key roles, including Federal Program Coordinator and Interstate Program Coordinator in the Special Programs Unit.

Amy played a vital role as a Subject Matter Expert during the division’s modernization efforts and now serves as a Claims Center Supervisor. Known for her love of learning and tackling complex challenges, Amy brings both curiosity and clarity to everything she does.
Today, she’s not only guiding day-to-day operations but also mentoring the next generation of UI professionals. Still learning herself, Amy thrives on collaboration and takes real joy in sharing her knowledge, cultivating talent, and watching her team grow and succeed.

Kae Brown

Kae Brown has spent the past 19 years growing her career with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ Unemployment Insurance Division, rising through the ranks with dedication, curiosity, and a knack for creative problem-solving.

She began her journey in the Fiscal division, supporting the switchboard and learning the inner workings of the agency. Driven by a passion for learning and a willingness to take on new challenges, Kae expanded her role over the years, working in Unemployment Special Programs, serving as a claims taker, and later stepping into the complex world of Unemployment Adjudication. Today, she leads as the Claims Center Supervisor.

Kae also played a key role as a Subject Matter Expert during the agency’s modernization initiative. She’s known for her sharp eye for efficiency and her love of outside-the-box thinking. Whether she’s refining workflows, identifying best practices, or tackling tough problems head-on, Kae brings energy and innovation to everything she does.

Johna Strader

Johna Strader has dedicated her career to helping Wyoming residents navigate some of life’s most challenging moments with clarity, fairness, and respect. With more than eight years of experience in the Appeals Division and serving as Senior Hearing Officer since 2023, Johna presides over unemployment insurance appeal hearings—often guiding individuals through their very first legal proceeding. She understands that these hearings carry real impact, and she works to ensure every participant feels heard, respected, and confident in the integrity of the process.

Johna’s path to the Appeals Division is rooted in a deep commitment to service and connection. Her career spans industries including retail, call centers, firearms manufacturing, and institutional advancement consulting, giving her a broad perspective and an ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She also spent more than nine years with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the Wyoming Relay Equipment Distribution Program Manager, where she helped individuals with hearing loss and speech impairments access critical communication tools. That experience sharpened her ability to listen carefully, communicate clearly, and advocate for equitable access—qualities that continue to define her work today.

At her core, Johna believes in the importance of fairness, service, and community. Outside the hearing room, she embraces Wyoming’s wide-open spaces and western heritage. She and her husband, along with their two Labradors, spend as much time outdoors as possible—gardening, hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Johna’s love for Wyoming runs deep, and she is proud to serve its people with the same integrity, independence, and respect that define the Code of the West.

UI Basics Made Clear: Taxes, Reporting, and What Employers Need to Know

Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes are an important part of doing business in Wyoming—but understanding them doesn’t have to be complicated. This Virtual Training Series session provides a clear, practical overview of UI tax basics for employers, including how they relate to FUTA and the UI Trust Fund, employer wage reporting requirements, and what to expect during a UI tax audit. You’ll gain straightforward guidance, helpful context, and practical tips to help you meet your responsibilities with confidence and ease.

Speaker

Jacob Kountz

Jacob Kountz has been with the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax Division for the past 5 years, the majority of which was spent as a registration specialist, helping employers across Wyoming and the country understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations. Jacob now serves as the Supervisor of Special Programs in UI Tax.

Prior to joining the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Jacob worked over 20 years in customer service and has always enjoyed helping others. Jacob’s natural desire to help others was the reason he began college as an education major before switching to business and accounting.

Jacob believes that leaders will always strive to help others achieve more and improve, regardless of title or station. As a mentor, Jacob takes the time to help others understand the “Why” of situations and listens and learns from the many people he works with on a daily basis.

Stephen Grinder

Stephen has built his career around a commitment to public service and helping Wyoming’s workforce and employers navigate important moments with confidence and clarity. He joined the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services in 2020, bringing his dedication and steady leadership to the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division during a time when reliable service and compassionate support mattered more than ever.

Through his work, Stephen quickly became known for his thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and genuine investment in serving the people of Wyoming. In 2022, he advanced to the role of Accounts Receivable Supervisor in the Unemployment Insurance Tax Division, where he now leads efforts to ensure accuracy, accountability, and strong financial stewardship within the program. In this role, Stephen supports both his team and Wyoming employers, helping maintain the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance system and ensuring it continues to serve as a vital resource for the state.

Stephen takes pride in being part of an organization that strengthens Wyoming’s workforce and economy. His career reflects a deep respect for public service and a daily commitment to supporting the people and communities that make Wyoming strong.

Jared Bayles

A Wyoming native with a deep understanding of both employers and compliance, Jared Bayles has dedicated more than a decade to helping strengthen Wyoming’s workforce system through education, partnership, and accountability. Since joining the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services in 2012 as a Senior Auditor, Jared has steadily advanced through leadership roles—becoming a Supervisor in 2019 and Program Manager of the Employment Tax Division in 2025.

In this role, Jared leads efforts to help employers remain in compliance with Unemployment Insurance and Workers’ Compensation programs. The division’s work goes beyond audits—it focuses on building relationships and providing guidance that helps employers understand their responsibilities and succeed. Jared believes employer education is the most effective path to compliance, and approaches every audit as an opportunity to support employers, answer questions, and ensure long-term success.

Before joining state government, Jared spent nearly a decade as a payroll processor, helping clients stay current with tax requirements and reporting obligations. That private-sector experience provides valuable perspective and insight into the real-world challenges employers face, and informs a practical, solutions-focused approach.

Jared holds a degree in Business Administration from Southern Utah University and remains committed to supporting Wyoming’s employers, strengthening compliance programs, and helping ensure a stable and secure workforce system for the state.

Youth Employment Laws: State and Federal Rules for Workers Under 18

Hiring workers under the age of 18 comes with important legal responsibilities—but understanding the rules doesn’t have to be complicated. This Virtual Training Series session provides a clear, practical overview of Wyoming and federal youth employment laws, including allowable work hours, prohibited occupations, employer requirements, and compliance tips. You’ll gain straightforward guidance and helpful context to confidently employ minors while ensuring a safe and lawful workplace.

Speaker

Jason Delo

Jason has worked for the State of Wyoming as a Probation and Parole Officer, tasked with completing Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports for the courts, as well as pre-parole placement investigations. He began working as a Compliance Officer for Labor Standards in 2005 and also served as the Wyoming Department of Employment Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer for two years. Jason became the Lead Compliance Officer for Labor Standards in Cheyenne in 2009; served as the interim Program Manager in 2016 and again in 2017; and in 2020, Jason became the Program Manager for the Cheyenne office.

Workers’ Compensation

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Get to Know HireWyo.com: Connecting Wyoming Jobs, People, and Possibilities

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Let’s talk ADA!

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can feel complex, or downright scary for both employers and employees. This engaging session cuts through the confusion, providing essential clarity on this crucial civil rights law.

We will explore:

• Scope of the ADA: What is covered, and who is protected?
• Employer Rights and Obligations: Understanding the reasonable accommodation process and undue hardship.
• The Service Animal Standard: Essential guidance on navigating requests and requirements involving service animals in the workplace.

Join us to gain the confidence and practical knowledge needed to ensure compliance and foster an inclusive, compliant environment.

Speaker

Callie Davis, MRC, CRC, CVE

Hailing from the Mountain West, Callie Davis discovered early on that a little bit of ingenuity can turn a challenge into an opportunity. As the Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager for Wyoming’s Vocational Rehabilitation, Callie is an Employment Alchemist. With her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and prestigious certifications (CRC, CVE) as her secret recipe, she specializes in transforming the often-intimidating landscape of disability into clear, mutually beneficial partnerships for businesses. She has spent decades in frontier environments, where she has mastered the art of decoding employer needs and crafting innovative, customized solutions that prove inclusive hiring is not a burden—it’s the smart, indispensable ingredient for a stronger bottom line.

Staying Secure in a Digital World: Cyber Safety Essentials

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Digital Presence Matters: Using Social Media to Grow Your Brand

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Connecting with People in a Multigenerational Workforce

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