Executive Committee

Bill Novotny

President

Johnson County

Bill is a fourth-generation Johnson County native. He was elected to the County Commission in 2014, reelected in 2018 and 2022 and has served as the Chairman from 2016 to present.

Novotny holds a BA in International Relations with methods in Agri-Business Management from Michigan State University and completed an externship with APPICO HI-TECH in Bangkok, Thailand. He also holds a MA in National Security Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and studied Civil Military Relations at the National Defense University. Novotny interned for the late U.S. Craig Thomas and worked as a Research Assistant for U.S. Senator Mike Enzi from 2003-2007.

In 2017, he was an American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) delegate to China and in 2018 completed a Leadership Cohort with the American Enterprise Institute. In 2019, he returned to China with ACYPL to commemorate 40^th anniversary of political exchanges between the U.S. and China. In 2021, then Vice President Novotny completed the National Association of Counties, County Leadership Institute.

When not advocating for counties, he operates the 1892 Group, LLC., a boutique public affairs and political consultant firm. His clients have included the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, Congresswoman Liz Cheney, Congressman Jim Renacci (OH-16), Governors Matt Mead and Mark Gordon, New Mexico Lt. Governor John Sanchez, Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn, and Wyoming Superintendent Jillian Balow. A lover of the outdoors, he spends free time chasing his German Shorthair and raising Shorthorn and Hereford cattle.

He is a founder and the current Chairman of the Board for Wyoming CLASS and also is Vice Chairman of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Foundation.

Active within the WCCA, Novotny previously chaired the Revenue Committee, served as WCCA Vice President, Treasurer, and received the 2018 Riding for the Brand Award.

Natalia Macker

Vice President

Teton County

Natalia D. Macker is Chairwoman of the Teton County Board of Commissioners, where she has served since 2015. She serves on the Wyoming County Commissioners Association’s (WCCA) Executive Committee as Vice President and is the past chair of the Health, Safety & Social Services Committee. Macker’s work includes health-in-all policies, affordable housing, human services, early childhood education, and water quality protections.

Macker is focused on securing the economic future of women and advancing equity in the Equality State. This includes championing gender wage gap efforts at the state and local level, pregnant workers fairness legislation, early childhood education and care, and the implementation of suicide and substance abuse prevention infrastructure. She passionately pursues collaborations to advance women’s representation in government and leadership, including as the cofounder of the Wyoming Women’s Action Network and Cowgirl Run Fund. Macker is also a gubernatorial appointee to the Wyoming Council for Women and the DEQ’s Land Quality Advisory Board.

Commissioner Macker was recognized by her WCCA’s colleagues with the 2019 Riding for the Brand award for “commissioner of the year” — the first woman to receive the award. She was included in the Wyoming Business Report’s 40 Under 40 and recognized as Woman of Influence in the Government/Economic Development category in 2021. In 2020, she received the Ruby Award from the Soroptimists of Jackson Hole for her service to women. Outside of public service, Macker is the Producing Artistic Director of Off Square Theatre Company. She holds a BA cum laude from Yale University and lives in Jackson, WY with her husband and three sons.

Robert Short

Treasurer

Converse County

Robert Short grew up in Glenrock. After working in power line construction and uranium mining he attended school in Denver for electrical engineering and computer science where he graduated in 1987 as class valedictorian. Robert pursued a career in technology which ultimately led to working in universities across the country and internationally in the field of nuclear science. As a result of this career, Robert has worked with scientists from more than 100 countries, worked in most states in our country, lived abroad, and speaks Japanese as a second language.

Twenty years after pursuing education in Colorado, Robert and his wife Janella moved to Douglas to raise their family and start multiple businesses. At the height of their entrepreneurial endeavors they had seven companies employing more than 120 people in Converse county. Robert has been involved with WCCA since he was first elected as a Converse County Commissioner in 2014. He has served as Chairman of the WCCA Energy and Environment Committee for the past four years. Robert served as the Chairman of the Converse County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Abuse 2017-2021. He currently serves on the Wyoming Workforce Development Committee, the DEQ Air Quality Advisory Board and other county boards. Robert is a tireless advocate for Converse county, our Great State, and the people who call this place home.

Robert is a dedicated dad and husband. He and Janella have four kids. Robert has a passion for outdoor activities including rock hounding, single track biking, skiing, fishing, and anything involving his family.