Derrek Jerred has been selected as the new senior director of IMPACT 307, the University of Wyoming’s statewide network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyoming’s entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive.
Jerred will begin in his new position Sept. 6.
He comes to UW after almost nine years working in economic development in southeast Wyoming, most recently as director of business attraction for Cheyenne LEADS, where he supported the attraction, relocation and expansion of domestic and international businesses. During his time at LEADS, Jerred worked closely with IMPACT 307, helping businesses transition from its incubators to new community locations in Wyoming.
As senior director, Jerred will be responsible for coordinating the activities of UW’s business incubators across the state, working collaboratively with UW Business Resource Network (BRN) leadership, Wyoming’s community colleges and various state agencies. In addition to current incubator locations, Jerred will work with the state’s community colleges to expand IMPACT 307’s model statewide as part of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership.
“I am looking forward to having Derrek as a senior member of the BRN team as we build and expand our business startup and innovation resources statewide,” says UW Associate Vice President for Economic Development Steve Farkas. “I have had the pleasure of tracking Derrek’s successes in Wyoming’s economic development. In addition to a passion for assisting new and existing businesses, he brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and a statewide network of resources to support our business communities. In this new role, Derrek will ensure the success of UW’s commitment to supporting economic development by facilitating entrepreneurship, innovation and small business development.”
“We appreciate the passion and enthusiasm Derrek has for economic development and wish him the best of luck in his new position,” says Betsey Hale, CEO of Cheyenne LEADS. “Wyoming is fortunate to have him in this new role.”
In addition to being an alumnus of UW’s College of Business and Leadership Wyoming, Jerred is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer.