In this episode of Fremont Biz we visit the Lander Police Department to sit down with Chief Kelly Waugh for an in-depth conversation about leadership, preparedness, and the future of public safety in Lander.

Chief Waugh reflects on the department’s progress following a major local incident and discusses his first year serving as interim chief while simultaneously covering captain and administrative duties. Now officially in the permanent chief role, Waugh shares his commitment to long-term planning, building community trust, and strengthening relationships with local businesses and residents.

A key focus of the conversation is active shooter preparedness and emergency planning. Meghan from the Lander Chamber of Commerce joins the discussion to highlight the upcoming Lunch and Learn on February 27 from 12:00–1:00 PM at The Inn at Lander Restaurant. The free event is open to the entire community and will feature Lander officers providing an overview of active shooter preparedness and practical safety steps. Lunch is included, and registration is available at landerchamber.org.

The episode also highlights initiatives supporting officer mental health. Waugh shares how the department partners with outside organizations and uses tracking software to ensure post-incident check-ins happen consistently. He believes officer wellness is critical to serving the community effectively.

Looking ahead, Waugh announces plans for Lander’s first Citizens Police Academy. The six-week program will provide weekly sessions designed to increase transparency and give residents a better understanding of what police work actually entails.

Waugh also opens up about his Wyoming roots and what motivated him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

In this episode of Fremont Biz features R.J. Jubber of G.R.I.T. for a recap of the Lander Chamber’s Lunch & Learn and a practical conversation on Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). This framework is designed to help organizations manage human error, especially in high-risk environments.

R.J. explains how HOP gained traction through the Department of Energy, and why the heart of HOP is understanding how people actually behave inside real-world systems. The group walks through the five HOP principles, including: accepting human fallibility, identifying and managing error-likely situations, recognizing how organizational processes shape behavior, understanding the power of reinforcement from leaders and peers, and learning from mistakes in a way that strengthens performance instead of repeating patterns.

The episode also shares updates on upcoming Lunch & Learn events through the Lander Chamber, they have some high-profile speakers!

Listen now and take away simple, actionable ideas you can apply in any workplace...whether you’re in a high-risk industry or just trying to build a more resilient team.

This episode of Fremont Biz takes us behind the scenes at Fremont Toyota in Lander for an in-depth visit with Garrott Smith—an outdoorsman, golfer, and enjoys being involved in the community.

Garrott shares how Fremont Toyota has continued to grow, what that growth means for local jobs, and how the business stays connected to the community it serves. We talk about the importance of their service department plus Fremont Toyota’s strategic approach to the changing vehicle market—especially when it comes to EVs.

Then, we take the conversation on the road. The hosts hop into a brand-new RAV4 Hybrid for a test drive and talk through the features, the smooth ride, and why this vehicle has become such a popular choice for families, commuters, and adventure-minded drivers alike.

To wrap it up, Garrott gives us a look ahead at what’s next while highlighting the strong community spirit that makes Lander special, including support from local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.

Listen in for a fun, informative tour through one of Lander’s standout businesses—and a real look at how local growth, smart strategy, and community pride all go hand in hand.