Jerry Jessen
In the mid-1970s, Jerry was encouraged by his good friend Tom Powers to become a Cheyenne Frontier Days™ volunteer. Jerry served on the Tickets Committee for two years and then transferred to the Security committee. In 1981, he was elected to the HEELS organization and in the fall of 1984 he was selected to serve on the General Committee as Security Chairman. He served in that capacity from 1985 through 1987. Jerry later served as General Chairman for the 1989, 1990, and 1991 shows and served as Chairman of the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Board of Directors in 1996. Jerry also served two three-year terms on the Old West Museum Board of Directors. During his tenure as General Chairman, CFD assumed responsibility for the 4th of July fireworks, participated in hosting President George Bush during Wyoming’s Centennial celebration, completed several park improvement projects and initiated the planning and design of the East Side Stands. At the end of the 1991 show, Jerry served on the committee that converted CFD from a committee of the Chamber to the present independent corporate structure. Retiring from the Bureau of Land Management in 1998, Jerry and his wife Kay continue to be active volunteers in Cheyenne Frontier Days™, the Western Art Show and the CFD Old West Museum.