Michela Morrisey

The Powell Economic Partnership has selected a new leader, as Michela Morrisey is taking over as the next executive director of the nonprofit organization.

PEP’s board said Morrisey will start her new role early this year.

“We are excited to introduce Michela to our members, partners and community — and to continue building a vibrant future for Powell together,” PEP Board Chair Rachel Vardiman wrote in a recent message to members.

Morrisey came to Powell in mid-2020, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Homesteader Museum through a program overseen by PEP. She later became the Homsteader’s registrar.

In 2023, Morrisey joined the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody as its assistant registrar, but she kept close ties to the Homesteader — serving on its board and helping organize last fall’s Graveyard Gallop in memory of longtime board member Jim Beavers.

“Her professional background, local knowledge, and strong relationships across the community position her well to lead the organization into its next chapter,” PEP leaders said in a news release.

Morrisey takes over from Rebekah Burns, who had served as the executive director since the spring of 2020 and with PEP and the linked Powell Chamber and Powell Visitor Center since 2017.

The PEP board expressed its gratitude to Burns and the staff for their “tireless” work.

“Their leadership and perseverance have ensured steady progress — step by step and win by win — on initiatives that will benefit the community for years to come,” the release said.

When Burns’ departure was announced last fall, the PEP board said her replacement would have a slightly different role, being asked to emphasize “membership management and direction.” However, the board also said it remained focused on economic development and would consider hiring a separate “economic development specialist” in the future.

In the release announcing Morrisey’s hiring, the PEP board described the transition as “honor[ing] the strong foundation built over the years while looking confidently toward the future of economic development in the Powell area.”

Alongside business development in general, PEP says it sees agriculture, outdoor recreation and aerospace as cornerstones for the organization. The release specifically mentioned ongoing efforts to boost markets for local foods, provide better access to public lands and the outdoors and to expand the Powell Municipal Airport.

Over the coming year, the board said the organization will generally look to build on the insights it gained from a survey of more than 150 local business owners, strengthen support for business members and deepen partnerships.