Board of directors

  • Tim Sheppard

    Board President

    Tim retired from the Army after a 40-year career which included serving as the Chief of Staff for the Wyoming Army National Guard. As an Army Engineer, he enjoyed completing construction projects throughout Wyoming and the world. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. Along with serving as the distinguished past governor for the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis; president of the board of directors for Raising Readers in Wyoming; vice-president of the board of directors for the Cheyenne After School for Kids program and as past-president of the board for the Cheyenne YMCA. He's also a regional director for the First Lady's Wyoming Hunger Initiative (WHI). He holds an MS in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.  Tim graduated from Leadership Wyoming in 2007 and currently serves as its immediate past chairman of the board. He's also a graduate of the inaugural Wyoming Academy -- a collaboration between Leadership Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council. He is married with seven children, including two sets of back-to-back twins.

  • Don Dorn

    Board Vice President

    Don Dorn is a Deputy Mine Inspector for the State of Wyoming. Before working for the State, Don had a long career in mining, working from operations to management. While employed with Peabody Energy, Don was on a selection committee for the Peabody Leaders in Education. Don also served on the Wyoming Mining Council and the Wyoming Emergency Response Commission and is a Wyoming Miners Hospital Board member.

    Don has been a board member of Raising Readers since 2012; he has been involved in various fundraising activities and currently helps get our books to our clinics and volunteers across many Wyoming counties. Don’s favorite part of the program is hearing stories from parents and the impacts that early childhood reading develops between parents and young children. He believes it is never too early to start reading to children of all ages, including before birth.

  • Sharon Catellier

    Board Secretary

    I have been an avid reader my entire life, which began with my mother’s love of reading.  We spent a lot of time at the public library growing up.  I have shared that love with my children and feel strongly that if you can help children with a love for reading, they will always have a friend!  I also believe that a child’s vocabulary is enhanced the more they read.  I enjoy being part of this organization that gets books in kids’ hands; they can start a library of their own!

  • Kim Alexander

    Board Treasurer

    Kim Alexander is currently the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Blue Federal Credit Union; she just celebrated her 19th year at Blue. Kim graduated from Chadron State College, received her CPA certification while working in Arizona and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado State Online Campus. A lifelong learner, Kim has a passion for learning starting with our leaders of tomorrow and throughout life. Having raised two children in Cheyenne schools, she understands the parenting & encouragement involved in raising readers. Kim has been looking for a non-profit to contribute to for some time, and when Raising Readers in Wyoming caught her eye, she knew this was a passion she could get behind and support.

  • Robin Grandpre

    Board Member

    Robin Grandpre’s love of books has fueled her commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning in young minds. She is deeply honored to join the Raising Readers Board of Directors in January 2025 and is eager to contribute to the organization's mission and promote early literacy. Robin was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming and is proud to be part of the community. Robin works as a project manager for Public Consulting Group and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. In 2023, Robin was awarded with the Patrick Henry Award for her work to support the Wyoming National Guard. When Robin isn’t working or volunteering, Robin is busy spending time with her family, reading/listening to audiobooks, crafting, or making sourdough bread.

  • Peaches Tyrrell

    Board Member

    “I am passionate about this program, which puts a book in the hands of a child, promoting a brighter future that inspires the joy of reading and a lifelong love of learning”

    As a dedicated advocate for early literacy, I am proud to be a part of Raising Readers in Wyoming. With a proven approach of distributing beautiful new books to children during their well-child visits, Raising Readers in Wyoming has made a profound impact in the lives of countless young children across our state. It impresses me that since the programs creation in 2002, it has provided almost 600,000 books, supporting early literacy development, school readiness, and a love of reading that will last a lifetime. As a board member for Raising Readers in Wyoming, I am committed to continuing the organization's vital work. Outside of my community & professional work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, my wonderful dog SaDee, and exploring the beauty of Wyoming through scenic drives and outdoor activities.

  • Lisa Williams

    Board Member

    Lisa Williams lives on a ranch north of Lusk with her husband JD. She is a graduate of the University of Wyoming where she received her B.S. in elementary education and attended the American College of Education, receiving her MS in Educational Leadership. Lisa has served in education in Albany and Niobrara counties over the past 30 years. Lisa and JD have three adult children, Clayton (Trisha), Allison (Carter), and Larkin Williams. When Lisa is not working with her team at the Wyoming Virtual Academy,  she enjoys spending time with friends and family, feeding the ranch hands, listening to music, being active, and traveling. As a new board member, Lisa looks forward to contributing to Raising Readers mission and vision while collaborating with others in her region to put more books in the hands of children. 

  • Katie McCue

    Board Member

    Katie McCue is a dedicated educator with expertise in literacy, curriculum, and instruction. She has devoted her career to ensuring all stakeholders understand the critical importance of literacy. With 18 years of experience in elementary education, she brings a wealth of knowledge in literacy development, professional learning, and community and family engagement.

    As a board member of Raising Readers in Wyoming, Katie is committed to advancing the organization’s mission by ensuring all families have access to high-quality books and resources that emphasize the importance of reading to children. She works to expand literacy opportunities both within her community and across the state of Wyoming.

    Beyond her role on the board, Katie is actively involved in Level Up, a Wyoming Department of Education teacher leadership initiative, and serves as the secretary for the Cody Schools Education Foundation. She also leads family engagement initiatives to foster a love of reading and learning. Passionate about literacy, she strives to make a meaningful impact by promoting education, professional development, and access to books for all.

    "Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." – Kofi Annan

  • Jennifer Geringer

    Board Member

    Jennifer Geringer is a faculty member in UW’s School of Teacher Education. She holds a doctorate in education and has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching in higher education. She has dedicated her career to helping future and practicing teachers discover the power of great books in children’s lives. Before moving into higher ed, she taught preschool and kindergarten, giving her deep roots in the world of early childhood and emergent literacy. One of her favorite things to do is help parents, caregivers, and educators learn to look deeply at books together with children, building the kinds of meaningful conversations that turn a simple story into a lifelong love of reading. The mission of Raising Readers in Wyoming hits close to home for Jennifer.

    Her mom, Sherri Geringer, played a founding role in bringing the program to Wyoming, so she has seen firsthand how getting beautiful books into children’s hands during those earliest years can change the course of a child’s life.

    When she’s not reading (though her to-be-read pile is never quite under control), you’ll find Jennifer in the garden, out with her camera searching for the small treasures nature tucks away, or walking with her senior rescue dog. She has two grandkids who she spends every possible moment with. They give her the very best reasons to keep exploring books and stories, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • Laramie Cummings

    Board Member

    Laramie is a Wyoming transplant (thanks to her Wyoming-native husband) and is extremely happy to have made Casper and Wyoming home. She was born in Oregon and raised in Colorado, areas that allowed her to be outside year-round, whether skiing, swimming, rafting, climbing, or hiking. Laramie attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, the University of Colorado, and earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University. Laramie is a very busy full-time mom to two boys. She is also a Compliance Officer for a fintech company, a published author, and the owner of The Alcove Casper consulting and word-of-mouth marketing for small businesses and nonprofits. Laramie serves on several boards and committees throughout Wyoming. When not busy with her many projects, kiddos, husband, dog, and work, you can find her with a good book, looking at books, writing books, reading books with her boys, hosting various book clubs online and in person, starting a Wyoming publishing company, or doing anything that involves books.