Our Story and the People That Make It Happen.
Our Organization.
Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails was founded in 2020 by Mark Tesoro, resident of Evanston, Wyoming. SWOT received it’s 501c3 nonprofit status in 2021.
The idea for SWOT was first launched by Tesoro at an Uinta County Economic Development Commission meeting in October of 2019. After presenting the vision for SWOT, the commission suggested Tesoro work with the County’s planning office and put together a working group to determine the feasibility of such a project.
The initial working group was comprised of local business owners, a US Forest Service District Ranger, Wyoming State Senators, a member of the county’s Economic Development Commission, local law enforcement and search and rescue representatives, and a local landowner. The group worked to engage many agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals early on in the project and have had great buy in from a variety of supporters at the local and state level.
SWOT has been working closely with the communities in Uinta, Sweetwater, and Lincoln Counties, Wyoming’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, and Wyoming State Trails Program to make this project a reality.
Board of Directors & Members.
President, Mark Tesoro, Uinta County Herald
VP, Todd Griffith, Norco Manager
Sec, Todd Jones, Allstate Ins.
Board, Rowdy Dean, Uinta County Sheriff Office
Board, Mark Black, Owner Cycle City
Rick Schuler, US Forest Service
Wendy Schuler, Senator
Gary Welling, Uinta County GIS Coordinator
Tim Ray, Owner Addicted Powersports
Brent Hatch, Uinta County Commissioner
Mike Vranish, Evanston Police Dept.
Aaron Hutchinson, UC Search and Rescue
Brandon Fitch, Wood Group
Dan Dockstader, Senate President
Penny Robbins, Mountain View Town Clerk
Bill Thek, Kemmerer Mayor
Amy Butler, Lincoln Co. Engineerper
Want to Hear More?
Over the past few years, SWOT board members have been providing communities across Southwest Wyoming with informative presentations in regard to the project’s successes, updates, partnerships, and potential challenges.
Here you can watch President Tesoro’s presentation at the City of Rocks Springs’ Council Meeting in January of 2022. The presentation begins around minute 8.
Additional Support.
During the course of the project, SWOT has actively engaged with a variety of stakeholders, government agencies, NGO’s, businesses, advocacy groups, and members of the public at a local, state and federal level to ensure not only the success of the the project, but the collective support from variety of user groups and communities. Stakeholders who have heard SWOT presentation, been at the table for discussions or are directly involved:
City Councils County Commissioners
City Councils
Chambers of Commerce
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
WYDOT Wyoming State Parks
Wyoming Business Council
Wyoming Office of Tourism
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Wyoming Game & Fish Department
State Senators and Representatives
Business and Industry Professionals Wyoming Outdoor Council
Wildlife Advocacy Groups
Muley Fanatics
Wyoming Wildlife Federation
Citizens for the Red Desert
Highway Patrol and Law Enforcement