Gus Lopez to Retire, Emmons announced as new ED

LCH 10-28-19

After 50 years of employment with the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department, Gus Lopez, Executive Director, has announced his retirement effective November 15, 2019.  Gus joined the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department on May 2, 1969 as a mosquito technician.  He spent a majority of his time in the Environmental Health Division where he became the Division Director.  He spent 17 years in that position prior to being promoted to Executive Director in 2003. 

Mr. Lopez a native of Greeley, Colo., and a graduate of Cheyenne Central High school. He has an associate’s degree in science from Laramie County community College and pursued undergraduate courses through Chapman University.

He is a 30-year member of the Cheyenne Sunrise Lions Club. He also served as Wyoming Lions, District Governor of 15A in 1997-98 and is actively involved in numerous organizational/community committees. He and his wife, Linda, have four grown children and three precious granddaughters. They have several trips planned in the near future.

Gus will be greatly missed by the Board of Health and all the employees at Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department. 

There will be a retirement party for Gus on November 15, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department conference room. All past and present friends and colleagues are invited to help Gus celebrate this new chapter in his life.


The Cheyenne-Laramie County Board of Health announced that Kathy Emmons will be the new Executive Director for the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.  Kathy comes to us from Cheyenne Regional Medical Center where she held numerous positions, the last being the Director of Organization Development and Learning Department.  Kathy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling and a Doctor of Management with concentration in Organization Development and Change.  During the last 25 years Kathy worked in many community based programs including Head Start, preschool programs for children with developmental disabilities, children’s advocacy and the American Red Cross.

Emmons stated “I am honored to be hired as the next Executive Director of the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.  This is a wonderful opportunity to return to community services while bringing additional healthcare specific experience.   The staff at the Health Department provide critical services in nursing, environmental services, and Family Planning across the county and I am thrilled to be part of this important organization”.