The Diocese of Cheyenne Finance Office exists to ensure that sound financial management and control practices are in place and consistently followed in the handling of the Diocese of Cheyenne’s assets. This office coordinates and manages the temporal goods of the diocese and associated functions, under the authority of the Diocesan Bishop, in accordance with the universal Code of Canon Law, the norms of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the intentions of the founder or donor, and the fiscal budget as approved by the Diocesan Bishop and Diocesan Finance Council (DFC).
The Finance Office reports monthly financials to staff and, at least, quarterly financials to the Diocesan Bishop and the DFC. It assists the DFC in its work and develops the annual fiscal budget of the diocese with the assistance of the other directors of the diocese. This office acts as a liaison with legal, audit, investment, personnel, and insurance advisors, and consultants on issues pertaining to financial and administrative matters. It receives and distributes grant receipts and restricted collections to the appropriate entity, while ensuring compliance with the grantor, donor, or collection reporting and restriction requirements.
Chief Financial Officer Dan Placke
[email protected]
307-638-1530 ext.111
Finance Specialist Mariah Klawon
[email protected]
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Dan Placke is a St. Libory, Nebraska, diversified-family-farm-native. He received a B.S. in comprehensive business administration, with an emphasis in accounting (University of Nebraska-Kearney, formerly known as Kearney State College, 1990) and holds a Nebraska CPA certificate.
Dan brings, from both small and large corporations, a combined 30 years of extensive, all-encompassing and varied financial, accounting, administrative and operational management, experience. Following a 25-year career in the organic agriculture industry in Colorado, Dan now enjoys drawing from his experience to support the work of the Diocese of Cheyenne and the Catholic Church.
Dan is married to his high school sweetheart, Leslie, and they have three adult daughters (Shelby, Haley, and Kylee), all of whom are married and starting families of their own. Dan’s favorite pastime is anything family related, but finds family time extra special when combined with hiking, yard games, card games, and college sports.
Mariah Klawon joined the Chancery Office team in late July 2020. She was born in Cheyenne and is a member of a military family and lived in different places, eventually returning to Cheyenne.
She graduated from East High School and then earned a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in finance from the University of Wyoming.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and watching Netflix.
EX OFFICIO VOTING MEMBERS: length of term equivalent to diocesan position term
Very Reverend Carl Gallinger, Vicar General.
Term 7/2012 – present.
Reverend Thomas Cronkleton, Judicial Vicar. Term 6/1995 – present.
Charles Harkins (Vice-Chair), CPA [retired], Former Managing Director of Grooms & Harkins, P.C., a certified public accounting firm in Casper, WY. Diocesan Board of Directors term 1/2020 – 6/2022; DFC member since 9/1999. Casper, WY.
Connie Janney, Cathedral of Saint Mary Finance Officer. Diocesan Board of Directors term 10/2019 – 6/2022; DFC member since 10/2017. Cheyenne, WY.
Reverend Lucas Simango, St. James’s Pastor. Diocesan Board of Directors term 7/2021 – 6/2023; DFC member since 7/2021. Douglas, WY.
APPOINTED VOTING MEMBERS: 5-year terms
Aaron Courtney (Chair), Commercial Banker. Term 1/2020 – 6/2025; DFC member since 10/2015. Cheyenne, WY.
Fred Harrison, Trial Lawyer, National Board of Civil Trial Advocacy, ABA Certified 1996 –present. Wyoming House of Representatives, 1982 – 1992. Term 1/2018 – 6/2023; DFC member since 7/2011. Cheyenne, WY.
David Balling, Insurance and Financial Services Agent [retiring 7/01/2021]. Term 5/2019 – 6/2024; DFC member since 5/2019. Cody, WY.
Avelinda (Lindy) Paskett, CPA. Term 1/2020 – 6/2025; DFC member since 8/2014. Riverton, WY.
DIOCESAN SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO THE DFC:
Dorene McIntyre, Executive Secretary.
Dan Placke, CFO, CPA certificate holder.
*9/2/2021 member roster posting date.