The new year has brought transitions in leadership for the Wyoming Library Association’s (WLA) Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) interest group and thanks and congratulations are in order!
LEAD extends a heartfelt “thank you” to Stella Terrazas, their previous chair, for her leadership, time, and dedication to LEAD. Stella jumped into her first LEAD Zoom meeting in May of 2021. Having started employment with the Teton County Library as the Administrative Services Manager in March of 2021, she wanted to get involved with the WLA. She attended the LEAD May 2021 meeting, and in January 2022, Brian Greene reached out and asked if she would represent LEAD on the WLA Programming Subcommittee for the 2022 WLA Conference Committee, and a one-year commitment on the subcommittee turned into three! Her experience with LEAD grew further in 2023 when she was elected LEAD Vice Chair, Chair-Elect. Stella has enjoyed working with so many LEADers in Wyoming libraries, and her impact and commitment have meant so much to the program.
David Brown is the 2025-2026 chair of the WLA Lead Interest Group. A five-year member of WLA, he currently serves as both a faculty librarian at the University of Wyoming and as an engagement specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 4. Previously, he served as a university library director in southern California. David has extensive experience serving on boards of directors for national, regional, and local professional organizations in both public health and library science. He looks forward to building leadership development opportunities within Wyoming libraries and the WLA.
Lori Sponhour, LEAD’s 2025-2026 co-chair, is an experienced librarian with over two decades of service at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She began her career in 2001 as a Reference Assistant and quickly advanced through various roles, including Billing Specialist and Assistant Manager of Circulation. Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1997 before pursuing her MLIS at Texas Woman’s University, which she completed in 2007. This transition officially marked the beginning of her role as a librarian. In 2004, Lori graduated from the Wyoming Leadership Institute, further enhancing her leadership skills and commitment to advancing the library profession in Wyoming In 2023, she graduated from Leadership Cheyenne, further solidifying her role as a community leader and advocate for growth and development in her field. That same year, Lori was promoted to Supervisor of Cataloging Services, where she oversees the organization and classification of library materials, ensuring efficient and accurate access for library patrons. Lori’s areas of expertise include cataloging, reference services, circulation management, advocating for others, and staff supervision. Her passion for continuous professional development and her dedication to serving the community are central to her career. Outside of her professional life, Lori is passionate about animals, especially dogs. She enjoys reading, watching TV, attending concerts, and spending time outdoors.
The WLA LEAD Interest Group is looking forward to a great year of learning, leadership, and library excellence!
To learn more, follow LEAD on their new social media platforms:
- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lead.wyoming)
- Instagram (@lead.wyoming)