Dave Romero

Inducted 2013

Dave Romero was a member of WRPA from 1973 until his retirement in 2002. During this time, Dave served as a Board Member (1974-75, 1976-77), President (1977-79), Past President (1979-81), Membership Chair (1976-77, 1986-87), Hershey Track and Field Chair (1978-79), Legislative Chair (1981-83), and NRPA Midwest Professional Re (1983-87). He was chair of the WRPA State Conference in 1976 and 1985 and served as the chair of the Midwest Regional Conference in 1995.

In 1973, Dave was appointed to the first Greater Cheyenne Recreation Commission, which was charged with studying the recreational needs of the community. Later that year, we was named the first Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Cheyenne. He remained in this position until his retirement. During his nearly 30-year tenure as Director, Dave developed an outstanding parks and recreation department for the city of Cheyenne. His accomplishments include significant expansion of parks and athletic facilities from nine parks (approximately 200 acres) to a system including four athletic parks involving 41 fields, seven community parks, 13 neighborhood parks, two linear parkways, and 39 triangular and median areas (approximately 653 acres). He was instrumental in the development of a dedicated 11-mile pathway system for non-motorized traffic and established new divisions within the department to include Cemeteries, Botanic Garden, Aquatics, Recreation, and the first Division of Urban Forestry in Wyoming.

By resolution of the Cheyenne City Council, the South Cheyenne Community Park was named the Dave R. Romero South Cheyenne Community Park in 2005. Dave was a leader within WRPA during the late 1970's during a time of rapid growth around the state. He was one of the "pioneers" that took WRPA to a new level of professionalism and credibility. 

Dave received the WRPA Fellow Award in 1981, the NRPA Regional Director's Membership Award in 1985, and NRPA Midwest Fellow Award in 1987, and the WRPA President's Award in 2002.

Mike Bemis

Inducted 2014

Dave McCormick

Inducted 2014

E. Scott Sessions

Inducted 2015

Scott Sessions first served on the WRPA Board in 1975 and was elected as President for 1976-77. In 1978, Scott lead the organization as Chairperson for the combined Midwest Regional and WRPA state conference held in Jackson. 

During his tenure in Big Piney, Scott created the first Little League baseball and basketball teams. Later, as the Recreation Director in Powell, Scott began the 5th-6th grade intermural programs. Scott served as the Director of the Commission on Aging and was instrumental in beginning the first Wyoming Senior Olympics. Additional career highlights included securing funding for the development of parkland, purchasing a bus to support programs, and providing the impetus to get the women's fast pitch softball program started in Wyoming. Throughput his career, Scott was a mentor to fellow professionals and worked to guide younger professionals into leadership roles. E. Scott Sessions exemplified the standards of professionalism in the parks and recreation field.

Scott received the esteemed Fellow Award in 1980. The Scott Sessions memorial scholarship was established in his memory in 1994 to support park and recreation professionals in their continuing education endeavors.  

Bob Churchich

Inducted 2016

Don Reynolds

Inducted 2016

Molly Wilhelm

Inducted 2018

Dale Bodeker

Inducted 2019

Donnie Bjorhus

Inducted 2019

Rick Mansur

Inducted 2020

Dan Barks

Inducted 2021

Steve Liechty

Inducted 2021

Sara Felix

Inducted 2022

Carolyn Griffith

Inducted 2022

Paul Harrison

Inducted 2023

Paul Harrison's 35-year career with the City of Laramie began in 1981 when he became Parks and Cemetery Director, ultimately advancing to Parks and Recreation Director. His journey in parks and recreation started with the Jefferson County Public Schools and included positions at South Suburban Metropolitan Recreation and Park District and Foothills Metropolitan Recreation and Parks District in Colorado.

His most significant achievement was serving as project manager for the Laramie Community Recreation Center (2001-2004), transforming community recreation services in Laramie. Throughout his career, he managed a $4.5 million operating budget overseeing 15 city parks totaling over 120 acres, the Laramie Community Ice and Event Center, Greenhill Cemetery, and comprehensive recreation programs.

Paul's commitment to community engagement was exemplary, serving on numerous boards and committees including the Wyoming Senior Olympics (Board Chair 2001-2002), Laramie River Greenbelt Committee (Chairman 2002-2004), and Freedom Has A Birthday Fourth of July Organizational Committee (1984-2005). His professional development included active membership in NRPA (1982-2016) and WRPA (1981-2016), earning the WRPA Fellow Award in 2015.

His legacy includes numerous innovative programs and projects: establishing Laramie's Tree City USA designation (1999), implementing the Community Adopt-A-Park Program (1988), developing the Laramie Skate Park (1999), and creating the Downtown Streetscape Beautification Project (1999). He maintained professional certifications as an ISA Municipal Arborist and Wyoming Commercial Pesticide Applicator.

Paul Harrison's career exemplified dedication to parks and recreation through thoughtful leadership, community engagement, and a commitment to creating spaces and programs that enhanced quality of life for Laramie residents. His inclusive approach to project planning, particularly involving youth in playground design decisions, demonstrated his belief that parks and recreation facilities should serve and reflect their communities.

Julie "JJ" Huntley

Inducted 2023

Julie (JJ) Huntley began her recreation career as a field instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) after earning her degree in outdoor recreation from Indiana University. Her work included leading outdoor adventure teams in Kenya before establishing her home in Pinedale, Wyoming, where she served as Aquatic Director of the Pinedale Pool for 15 years.

JJ's crowning achievement was her instrumental role in transforming a simple pool replacement project into the premier Pinedale Aquatic Center (PAC). She helped design and develop this comprehensive facility featuring multiple pools, a water slide, current channel, indoor climbing wall, walking track, gymnasium, and fitness areas. Prior to its 2008 opening, JJ developed the facility's first mission statement, created operational systems, and established programs that made PAC an indispensable community resource.

Her commitment to professional development was demonstrated through her four-year service on the WRPA board, including two years as secretary. She hosted the 2012 "Pebbles to Peaks" WRPA annual conference and received both the WRPA Fellow Award (2011) and President's Award (2017). JJ fostered a culture of WRPA engagement among her staff and remains an active retired member.

Throughout her career, JJ served on numerous community organizations including the Sublette County Recreation Board, Pinedale Half Marathon committee, and WY Senior Winter Games planning committee. Her community service continues in retirement through the Backpack program, school choir accompaniment, preschool cross-country ski instruction, and PAC volunteering.

JJ Huntley's legacy is marked by her infectious passion for recreation, mentorship of young professionals, and her ability to transform ambitious visions into reality. Her leadership has left an indelible mark on recreation services in Pinedale and continues to inspire the next generation of recreation professionals.