A man who has inspired thousands of Wyoming youngsters to read has been chosen as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s 20th Breakfast Honoree. John Jorgensen will be honored at the Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast to be held on August 29, 2018.

Retired as president from Hilltop National Bank in 2015, John’s career in banking started in California. Following a three-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army, John returned to his Midwest roots, working in banks in Iowa and Nebraska. Following his marriage to his wife Sue and starting their family, they moved to Colorado and eventually to Casper, initially with First Wyoming Bank (now Bank of the West) and then to Hilltop National Bank.

John was born and raised in Aurora, Nebraska, graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1968 with a degree in political science.

Following the unexpected death of his wife in 1996, John searched for a way to honor Sue’s memory. With memorial money, the Jorgensens bought 150 books to add to the Woods Learning Center library. Out of that came the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation and a celebration of reading for all first graders in Natrona County known as “Casper Cares, Casper Reads.”  That program grew statewide into “Wyoming Reads.” In its 20th year, the organization has gifted 180,000 personalized hard back books to young readers.

For the past 31 years, John has served on the Casper College Foundation Board, the last 28 years as president. He also serves on the Hilltop National Bank Board of Directors.

The Breakfast will feature a keynote address by the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, Carey Lohrenz. Having flown missions worldwide as a combat, mission ready United States Navy pilot, Ms. Lohrenz is a pioneer in military aviation. She uses her experience in fast moving, dynamic environments to inspire fearless leadership through courage, tenacity, and integrity. She has been requested by and coached some of the top Fortune 100 businesses such as AT&T, Prudential, Walmart, Verizon, and Kimberly-Clark, to name a few.

Reservations for the 20th Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast can be made beginning in June.