Passing the Baton

​After 24 years of leading the Platte River Trails Trust, we bid a bittersweet farewell to Angela Emery ahead of her retirement at the end of March and welcome our new Executive Director, Rachel Spear.

​Lasting Legacy
Angela has been an incredible leader in the development and expansion of our community trail system and an invaluable advocate for the trails and the mission the PRTT for over two decades.
 
During her time as Executive Director, Angela witnessed and helped complete several projects. Her most notable include the connection of the eastern and western sections of the River Trail in 2002, the completion of the Beverly Street Underpass, the incredible transformation of the Pumphouse building and area, the extension of the River Trail west to Paradise Valley, and the installation of the Ft. Casper Underpass.
 
Though we are sad to see Angela leave, we know her legacy will continue to live on for years to come. She’ll undoubtedly continue to be a strong advocate for our trails and an important resource for the new Platte River Trails Executive Director, Rachel Spear.
 
New Leadership
Rachel joins PRTT after two decades of intermittent marketing and creative consulting with mostly local non-profit clients. Prior to PRTT, Rachel spent six years as Director of Development for the Child Development Center of Natrona County, where she honed her skills in donor stewardship and event planning. Prior to that, Rachel served as a Brand Manager for a Hallmark subsidiary where she managed a multi-million dollar boutique product line.
 
Throughout her career, Rachel has always prioritized  community involvement and has served on numerous boards around Casper. Rachel says she “thrives on work with a mission,” and values innovation, the exchange of ideas and finding new ways to solve old problems.
 
Before relocating to Casper in 2001 with her husband, John, Rachel earned a B.A. in Business Marketing with an emphasis on art and communication from Anderson University, a private liberal arts school in Indiana. Their son, Isaac, is in college and their daughter Ella is a senior at NCHS.
 
“Casper is home. It’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere, and the Wyoming way of life is just who we are. We’ve invested in the community and reaped the rewards through friendships, family time and a lifestyle that isn’t found anywhere else. We went from 80 days of sun to 220. In a few minutes I can be snowshoeing, hiking or walking along the river. Just looking at Casper Mountain out my back door brings me joy; and now I have the unique opportunity to be part of an organization providing that gift to our community. It’s a dream,” says Rachel.
 
Depending on the season, Rachel can be found along the trails, hiking the many beautiful landscapes of our state, snowshoeing, gardening, reading, traveling, enjoying a bluegrass festival, and relishing in Wyoming’s food scene. Rachel says she has always belonged outside. Her grandfather bestowed on her his love of nature - canoeing on the lake, exploring wooded trails, and berry foraging, activities she enjoyed across the many places she’s called home throughout her life - North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Wyoming.
 
A Warm Welcome & Fond Farewell
Please join the Platte River Trails in welcoming Rachel as Executive Director. We are confident she will be a strong advocate for the trails, our mission, and the community. You can find Rachel at the Tate Pumphouse where she will continue the work Angela and the Board of Directors have been dedicated to for the past 40 years.
 
Stop by the Pumphouse from now until March 30th to wish Angela a happy retirement and meet Rachel. You can also welcome Rachel at [email protected].