Christine Bekes

After nearly six years of leading the Powell Economic Partnership, Christine Bekes announced Wednesday that she is resigning as the organization’s executive director, as she and her family are relocating to Reno, Nevada.

“I absolutely love PEP, Powell and Wyoming,” Bekes said in a statement. “The decision to leave was really difficult and multi-faceted, both personal and professional. My family is a blended family now and it has grown. This move takes me away from my folks here in Powell by a long road trip or flight, but it puts us more central to all of our family.”

Bekes, a Powell native, graduated from Powell High School in 1990. She left the area to pursue her education and career but returned in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy forced her from her New Jersey home. Bekes was hired into the executive director position at PEP in April 2014.

Under her leadership, PEP has championed or been involved in a number of projects over the years, including GT Aeronautics’ relocation to Powell and the planned Clocktower Inn. She oversaw the merger of the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce and PEP in 2017, and most recently has been helping coordinate education for farmers interested in pursuing hemp when it’s legal in Wyoming to do so.

Kelly Spiering, PEP board chair and founding member, said Bekes’ resignation was unexpected but that the organization stresses the importance of family for all its staff.

“Christine has grown as a community and organizational leader in the past six years. It has been great to be a part of her story, and she has certainly positioned PEP and Powell for some successes,” Spiering said in a statement. “We are thankful for her service and leadership and with this new family development, we wish her well.”

Spiering went on to say that, while it’s never convenient to lose an “instrumental leader,” Bekes is leaving the organization in a strong position.

“Our membership has grown 15% year-over-year since the merger with the chamber, and we continue to grow truly meaningful relationships with our businesses and community stakeholders,” he said.

Powell Mayor John Wetzel spoke highly of Bekes in a Wednesday interview, saying she “worked tirelessly. It’s an incredibly difficult job.”

“We’ll be hard-pressed to find someone with as much energy,” Wetzel said.

The PEP Board of Directors is working with Bekes in the transition. A position announcement is expected within the next week.

“Both PEP and Powell are poised to seize the positive momentum and realize some great successes,” Spiering said. “The opportunities for a new executive director to lead and grow are tremendous.”