Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell Resigned

The board of the state agency accepted Dorrell's resignation following an executive session held on October 14.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Remote Work

Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell Resigned

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The Wyoming Business Council board has accepted the resignation of CEO Josh Dorrell. Following the board's decision, leadership responsibilities have been reassigned to select staff members while the search for a new executive begins.

Why it matters

The transition comes as the council navigates legislative scrutiny and its role in state economic development. The council recently faced legislative threats to its funding structure, including efforts in 2026 to defund or dismantle the organization entirely.

The council has operated under the current CEO since 2020, during which time it managed federal COVID relief funds and lobbied to maintain data center sales tax breaks established in 2010. The transition timeline includes the appointment of an interim leader with a goal to hire a permanent replacement by summer 2027.

The players

Josh Dorrell

He is the outgoing CEO of the Wyoming Business Council who served in the role from 2020 until his resignation in 2026.

Wyoming Business Council

This is a state agency responsible for economic development, the management of federal relief funds, and state-level industry lobbying.

Wyoming Legislature

This is the state governing body that considers fiscal legislation, including proposals to defund or restructure state agencies.

The details

The board voted to accept the resignation after meeting in an executive session. Officials have authorized specific members to manage the council's ongoing organizational duties until the board completes its search for a new permanent CEO.

Josh Dorrell began serving as CEO of the Wyoming Business Council in 2020.
In 2021, the council lobbied to maintain data center tax breaks.
The Wyoming Legislature considered bills to dismantle the council in January 2026.
The board accepted the resignation of Josh Dorrell on October 14, 2026.
The board aims to have a permanent CEO installed by the summer of 2027.

Market Landscape

The resignation follows years of debate surrounding the 2010 data center sales tax exemption, which the council aggressively lobbied to protect in 2021. This departure occurs amid a broader realignment of the agency's political standing and its future economic mandate within the state.

Wyoming residents and business owners should monitor the search for a new CEO to see how future council leadership changes might affect the distribution of economic development grants and COVID relief oversight. The shift in leadership may signal changes in how the state agency engages with legislative efforts to reform its mission.

The takeaway

The leadership change serves as a critical junction for the council as it faces ongoing scrutiny from state lawmakers. Stakeholders should pay close attention to the legislative sessions ahead, as the appointment of a new CEO will likely dictate the organization's lobbying approach to state tax policy.