2026 Ignite Conference Presenters
Meet the Experts!
AMY ALBRECHT
Director, Center for A Vital Community at Sheridan College
Originally from Peoria, Illinois, but an enthusiastic Wyoming transplant since 1992, Amy hopes to be considered a native eventually. She has a background in advertising and public relations. Amy is the director of the Center for a Vital Community at Sheridan College, which provides nonprofit support, leadership training for adults and youth and convenes community conversations around critical subjects in Sheridan County. She is a certified trainer in Gracious Space practices.
P.J. BURNS
Northeast Regional Director, Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network
P.J. Burns serves as the Northeast Regional Director for the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, where she champions entrepreneurs and fuels small business growth across the region. P.J. is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. A proud Wyoming native, P.J. brings deep-rooted passion and firsthand understanding of the state’s business landscape to her work.
JULIE CHADWICK
Digital Director, Sheridan Media Marketing Group
A Sheridan College alumnus, Julie has lived and worked in Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Florida and Wyoming and is currently the digital director for Sheridan Media Marketing Group. Julie has 20 years of experience in broadcasting, 15 years in print and website and nine years of digital marketing experience. Julie has been twice recognized nationally by Radio Ink Magazine as one of radio’s Top 20 Digital Sales Professionals in the country. Julie implemented Sheridan Media’s popular online auction, online contests and promotions, as well as digital marketing capabilities.
KRISTEN CZABAN
Director of Marketing and Communications, Sheridan Memorial Hospital
Kristen leads the marketing team as director of marketing and communications at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Wyoming. Prior to joining the SMH team, she worked as a journalist, editor and publisher at The Sheridan Press for 15 years and has presented at a number of conferences, including the Wyoming Press Association, Inland Press Association and the Ignite Conference.
BOB GRAMMENS
General Manager, Sheridan Media Marketing Group
Employed at Sheridan Media for 42 years, Bob currently serves as general manager. Under his leadership, the company has evolved into a multi-media marketing and entertainment organization, encompassing nine radio stations, digital and social media platforms and a print publication. Today, Sheridan Media Marketing Group is a 26-person, employee-owned company. Bob serves on the Sheridan/Johnson County board of the Wyoming Community Foundation and has also served on the board of the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters, including three terms as its president.
JAMES (JIM) ISHOY
Managing Consultant, Opsconn Consulting LLC
Jim is the Managing Consultant of Opsconn Consulting LLC, an executive management consultancy. As a former CEO, COO and Corp Director of Quality, Jim has taken his 40+ years of experience and refined it with John Maxwell’s Leadership training to improve the lives of management and their organizations. Jim has a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Technology and also completed postgraduate studies, earning him a spot in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. Jim served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and in the U.S. Army in the late 70s. He currently is president of the board for the Lunch Together soup kitchen.
STUART J. MCRAE
City Administrator, City of Sheridan
Stuart has been the City Administrator for the City of Sheridan since 2020. Before joining the City, he served a 30-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Colonel in 2017. He commanded at every level multiple times from Captain through Colonel. Certified as a credentialed manager by the Internation City/County Management Association (ICMA), he has been doing city management for over 10 years. He has presented at the Ignite Conference for the past three years and is certified by the TRACOM Group as a Social Styles instructor.
JEFFREY NICHOLS
Agent & Owner, Nichols Agency/Farmers Insurance
Jeff has spent the past decade in the insurance sales industry, building a results-driven approach centered on understanding people and how they make buying decisions. His performance and commitment to excellence have been recognized with both the Topper Club and Triple Crown Awards through Farmers Insurance. Beyond the office, Jeff is deeply invested in coaching and mentorship, focusing on on building confidence, discipline and teamwork in young athletes.
STEVEN SCHREFFLER
Interactive Media Manager, Sheridan Media Marketing Group
Steven is the website developer and multimedia developer, responsible for keeping Sheridan Media Marketing Group at the forefront of how it connects with audiences across websites, social media, streaming, television and radio. Blending technical expertise with creative vision, Steven builds the digital platforms that power Sheridan Media’s content and marketing. He also leads the company’s exploration of AI and emerging technologies, helping create new opportunities for Sheridan Media Marketing Group and its customers.
CONNOR SULLIVAN
Founder, PFL Systems
Connor is the founder of PFL Systems, an AI Automation Agency based in Gillette. Largely self-taught over the last decade, Connor formalized his expertise with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Western Governors University. He builds intelligent workflows that eliminate the repetitive, time-draining tasks that keep small business owners working in their business instead of on it — using tools like n8n, Supabase and Twilio.
JASON WILLE
Chief Marketing Officer, Range
Jason Wille is currently the Chief Marketing Officer with Range, a telecommunications company providing next-generation internet, voice and network services across Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota. Working at Range for the past 17 years in numerous capacities, Jason has experience in negotiation, sales, business development, marketing strategy, customer experience and fiber deployment. He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Business.
STEFANIE GILBERT
Mortgage Expert, Altitude Home Mortgage
Stefanie Gilbert is a mortgage expert with over 15 years of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate complex financial decisions. A passionate educator, Stefanie has taught financial literacy classes to local employers, first-time buyers and professionals seeking clarity around money management, debt reduction and long-term planning. Known for her relatable teaching style and practical approach, Stefanie empowers audiences to take control of their financial future with confidence.
JULIE GREER
Project Coordinator, Center for A Vital Community at Sheridan College
Julie is the project coordinator for the Center for a Vital Community at Sheridan College, which provides nonprofit support and leadership training for adults and youth and convenes community conversations around critical subjects in Sheridan County. She is a certified trainer in Gracious Space practices, oversees the CVC’s CampFIRE program and keeps all the CVC activities running smoothly. Previously, Julie served as Sheridan College’s outdoor education and recreation director. She is a graduate of the inaugural CiViC Project in 2005.
ROB JOHNSON
Financial Advisor, Elevate Wealth Management
Rob Johnson is a financial advisor at Elevate Wealth Management, an independent, fee-only wealth management firm serving clients in Sheridan and surrounding areas. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Black Hills State University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Growing up in Dayton, he believes strongly in giving back to the community that helped raise him by volunteering his time and serving as an active board member with various non-profit organizations in the area.
MATT MELINKOVICH
Owner, Timberline Training
Matt created Timberline Training to educate and empower business professionals with tools for success. As a certified Innovation Growth Coach, a level two Family Business Advisor and an accredited trust facilitator, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and business experience on the topics of efficiency, innovation, leadership, trust, team building, customer interaction and value-added sales. For the past 13 years, he has been using his entrepreneurial skills and business experience to help small businesses become more efficient, grow their operation and increase profits.
JIM SCHELLENBERGER
Financial Advisor, Elevate Wealth Management
Jim is a financial advisor at Elevate Wealth Management, an independent, fee-only wealth management firm serving clients in Sheridan and surrounding areas. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance from the University of Wyoming and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Jim is proud to be a Wyoming native and loves exploring the outdoors with his family, being part of his church community and is an avid sports fan…In fact, he owns shares in the Green Bay Packers!
EMMA SHEARS
CEO, Innovative NonProfit LLC
Emma is the owner/CEO of Innovative NonProfit LLC (INP), a full-service agency focused on helping nonprofits, institutions of higher education and small businesses thrive. Emma’s professional experience includes working on major change initiatives in the public sector, with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Department of Education in the UK. She is a graduate of George Washington University and a certified Project and Program Manager. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently serves as president for the South Dakota chapter.
BROOKE WELCH
Vice President of Marketing and Digital Services, MC2 Collaborative
Brooke is Vice President of Marketing and Digital Services at MC2 Collaborative, where she leads marketing strategy, digital content and client-centered communications for businesses and organizations. With extensive experience in marketing, collaboration and B2B relationship-building, she helps partners connect, grow and achieve their goals.
JEFF ENGELL
South Central Regional Director, Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network
Jeff launched his entrepreneurial career overseas, spending more than a decade building a consultancy that supported small and mid-sized businesses across diverse industries and countries. He is deeply passionate about the economic potential small business brings to rural areas and the meaningful, lasting impact they have on local communities. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys fishing, hiking and exploring new places whenever time allows.
KATE GLADDIN
Resilience Speaker, Author and Coach
Kate Gladdin is an Australian born international resilience speaker, author of Okay, Now What? and Sheridan-based community advocate known for delivering keynotes that are as human and relatable as they are practical. Drawing on lived experience and neuroscience- backed frameworks, Kate creates an environment where leaders are invited to reflect, challenged to think differently and empowered to take purposeful action.
DOUGLAS D. LEE
Retired Executive
Doug Lee retired in 2015 after 36 years of working in homebuilding and mortgage banking. In the construction industry, Doug has served as a construction superintendent, new homes salesperson and sales and marketing director. He also was a mortgage loan officer for JPMorgan Chase, branch and area manager of Norwest Mortgage/Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and a regional manager of Citizens Bank Mortgage. Doug is a Leadership Evergreen graduate. He has coached 3rd-8th grade youth tackle football for 25 years in multiple states and continues coaching Little Guy Football here in Sheridan.
SCOTT LEE
Owner, Scott Lee Leadership Consulting LLC
For more than 30 years, Scott’s passion has been to assist individuals, businesses and churches with leadership development. He has held trainings across the U.S. as well as in Cameroon, Africa, and several regions of India. Nothing impacted Scott as much as the John Maxwell Leadership Laws that he is now certified to teach…laws that helped Scott recognize the greatest gap in the world is the gap between knowing and doing. Scott sincerely believes he is now adding value to the leaders he serves, and he is fulfilling his purpose in life.
LISA MUELLER
Chief Operating Officer, MC2 Collaborative
Lisa is a collaborative leader and funding strategist who connects people, places and projects to accelerate success. With more than 20 years of experience in grant strategy, project development and community partnerships, she has helped secure millions of dollars for initiatives that strengthen communities and support long-term growth. Lisa also brings training in Applied Positive Psychology and Disciplined Entrepreneurship from MIT, which informs her thoughtful, strategic approach to building momentum and achieving meaningful results.
JIM SCHELLINGER
Sales Manager, Sheridan Media Marketing Group
Currently sales manager, Jim joined Sheridan Media in 1989, after two years of prior sales experience at KWIV/KATH radio in Douglas. He has been extremely involved in Sheridan and across the state of Wyoming, serving several boards and organizations like the Wyoming Jaycees, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, Sheridan County Travel and Tourism and Sheridan City Council. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a Certified Radio Marketing Consultant through the Radio Advertising Bureau.
STACIA SKRETTEBERG
Consultant, Peak Consulting, LLC
Stacia has over 25 years of experience in the human resources field. Over the past 13 years, she has been providing consulting to both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She has held human resources and management roles in industries spanning retail, communications, hospitality and food and beverage. She provides clients with innovative, easy-to-implement HR solutions. Her passion for human resources is clear, as is her down-to-earth realistic approach to assisting clients in solving their workplace issues.
TARA WILCOX
Director of NonProfit Development, Innovative NonProfit LLC
Tara has an established career of more than 25 years in human services and nonprofit leadership. She is a graduate of Black Hills State University and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. She has been a presenter at both a local and national level on industry-specific topics. Her background in human services encompasses program operations, human resources, fundraising, outreach and growth management.
2026 ignite conference
Spark Your Professional Development!
Thank you to our 2026 Ignite Conference sponsors!
