Mayor Jack Spiker considers himself just about as close as one can get to actually being a Cheyenne native. Jack was born in Nebraska and moved to Cheyenne when he was a couple of years old. He attended elementary and secondary school in Cheyenne and is a graduate of East High School. Jack married Karen, whom he met in high school. They have two sons, Jeff and Scott, and five grandchildren whom he adores.

During his youth, Jack worked in and later managed various family businesses in Cheyenne. Since 1977 he has owned and operated bedroom furniture stores. Bedder Sleep, which he operated until being elected Mayor, is located in downtown Cheyenne. Bedder Sleep is a family business and is now operated by Karen, his sons and brother, Jim.

Jack’s entry into politics began when he won a seat on the City Council in 1996, representing Ward II. During his 4-year term, he served on the Finance Committee, acting as Chairman for 2 years. His final year on City Council, Jack served on the Public Services Committee. His tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee saw Cheyenne’s budget balanced and reserves increased.

Elected for his first term as Mayor in 2000 and again for his second term in 2004, Jack ran on a platform of economic development, providing better, higher paying jobs and fiscal responsibility. His tenure has seen revenues increase and the population of Cheyenne grow. Several new businesses have come to Cheyenne, bringing with them new well-paying jobs.

Major street and road projects completed include the overlay of hundreds of miles of city streets. Partnering with the State of Wyoming, Storey Avenue was built, providing a much needed east-west link across the northern part of Cheyenne. Capitol Avenue was completely reconstructed. This project won two prestigious awards for design and construction. In the near future, we will construct the Norris Viaduct and realign Fifth Street on the southside.

During Jack’s tenure as Mayor, the city has undertaken and finished many quality of life projects as well. In the downtown area, the historic U.P. Depot has been fully restored and a public plaza built directly in front of this beautiful building. Partnering with the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club, the city built a beautiful community house in Lion’s Park. In the heart of the historic downtown area, a new 700 space parking facility has been completed to accommodate parking. Other projects include an ampitheater and a children’s water spray park in Lion’s Park and the addition of a bowl structure to the Clay Sturman Skate Park. Two new neighborhood parks, the Pointe Park and Sun Valley Parks have been constructed and planning and land acquisition are being worked on for the South Cheyenne park.

As Mayor, Jack serves on the Board of Directors of Cheyenne LEADS and as an ex-officio member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  He is a member of the GIS Coordinating Committee and serves as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Additionally, Jack serves on the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Governing Board and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.