The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) proudly announces former Wyoming Gov. Matthew Mead as the 2023 Citizen of the West. This prestigious award recognizes those who embody the spirit and determination of the Western pioneer—a true representative of the Western lifestyle, ideals, agricultural heritage and traditions. A committee of community leaders selects recipients.
Mead served two terms as governor of Wyoming. He is a respected community and government leader throughout the Front Range. As the governor of Wyoming and the U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming, Mead has dedicated his service to representing his constituents, defending the law, managing business and protecting residents’ rights throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
Born in Jackson, WY, Mead was raised on the family ranch in Teton County. After graduating from high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, and a law degree from the University of Wyoming. Mead began his career as assistant county attorney in Campbell County, WY. His distinguishing resume includes positions as the assistant U.S. attorney, special assistant U.S. attorney, special assistant state attorney general, member of the U.S. attorney general’s anti-terrorism task force and U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming, appointed by then-President George W. Bush. Mead has managed a private practice career while maintaining working knowledge and experience in every aspect of the ranching world.
Mead has served on significant committees that help preserve valuable resources and protect local businesses. These committees include the Office of State Lands and Investments board and other associations supporting Western heritage and maintaining American values. After serving as governor, Mead returned to co-managing Mead Land and Livestock and X Diamond Development with his wife, Carol Mintzer Mead. He is currently a partner at Hathaway and Kunz, a law firm in Cheyenne, WY, and he runs the cattle ranch in Albany County, WY.
Mead feels privileged to have grown up in a ranching family. His parents taught him the value of hard work, leaving things in better condition than when he found them and improving the lives of the next generation. These lessons helped pave the path of his career and life choices.
Mead’s great-grandparents homesteaded in Jackson Hole, WY, in the late 1800s, and he has a long family history of serving in government. His great-grandfather was a Wyoming state senator, his mother ran for governor of Wyoming and his grandfather, Clifford Hansen, was governor of Wyoming, a senator and the NWSS 1996 Citizen of the West recipient. Now, 27 years later, Mead is recognized and honored as the 2023 Citizen of the West, an extraordinary tribute to him and his family legacy.
Mead’s connection to NWSS is a long-standing Mead family tradition. Each year, his family would travel to Denver, CO, to attend the stock show and rodeos. They loved seeing the livestock, eating their favorite stock show food, spending valuable time with family and celebrating their Western heritage. The tradition continues to this day with his wife of 31 years, Carol, and his two adult children, Mary Mead and Pete Mead, who reside in Wyoming.
Mead will be honored as the 44th Citizen of the West during the annual award dinner on Jan. 9, 2023. Proceeds from the event support the National Western Scholarship Trust, awarding 100 scholarships to students attending colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming for agricultural science, rural medicine or veterinary medicine studies.
To purchase tickets for the 2023 Citizen of the West event honoring Mead, please contact Ashley Fischietto at 303-299-5560 or afischietto@nationalwestern.com. — NWSS
