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Casper Housing Authority Board of Commissioners announce the retirement of Kim Summerall-Wright, CEO 

  • jamiepurcell0
  • 21 hours ago
  • 5 min read

Kim Summerall-Wright. CEO of Casper Housing Authority, since 2014
Kim Summerall-Wright. CEO of Casper Housing Authority, since 2014

Casper Housing Authority announces the retirement of Kim Summerall-Wright as CEO as of July 31, 2026.  Kim's career has been one of building programs and relationships, questioning standard norms, looking for solutions where others only see problems, and creating community driven approaches to solve issues. Sometimes holding those accountable when no one else would, stating the obvious, and also acting with love, Kim's career has garnered many cheers for her accomplishments and leadership. She's always been a Pheonix. 


For the past 13 years, Kim Summerall-Wright has led Casper Housing Authority through a period of healing and strategic growth. She championed the first HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration project in Wyoming, construction of over $50 million in the development of safe and affordable housing and increased CHA’s housing portfolio from 75 to 274 affordable housing units. Kim Summerall-Wright's leadership and vision led to the creation of CHA CARES – the nonprofit arm of CHA which provides supportive services to the tenants of CHA as well as the community at large. Kim's accomplishments are numerous, but all have been driven and guided by her desire to use her leadership as a mechanism for positive change in Casper. 


As CHA transitions leadership from Kim Summerall-Wright to CHA’s new CEO, Caysie Dulin, Kim’s accomplishments and contributions to the City of Casper are celebrated. 


During Kim’s tenure at CHA, the City of Casper entrusted the management of Life Steps Campus to CHA. This historic and storied property in the heart of the community has become fully renovated and leased. Due to Kim’s gifted strategic vision, CHA was asked to right the direction of local organizations whose missions fit within that of CHA: these organizations include Life Steps Campus, Lusk Housing Authority, Windy City, and Saint Anthony and Holy Trinity Manors.  Kim was instrumental in renovating the historic Star Apartments building into CentrePointe Apartments in downtown Casper. She led the charge for building Raven Crest and Liberty Square Apartments. Time and time again, the leaders of housing in Wyoming have recognized Kim's ability to stabilize a struggling organization. Her final housing mission of taking over the management of the Wyoming National Apartments means the stability of housing in Casper remains strong. 

Kim Summerall-Wright's strategic vision is not limited to housing. She co-founded Wyoming Food for Thought Project and helped guide many other non-profit organizations through change and growth. Kim led Casper Housing Authority with Wyoming grit and wisdom, sharing her skills with other non-profit leaders to strengthen the entire nonprofit community across Wyoming.  Kim is known as a leader who shows up with all resources needed to serve the need. 

 

QUOTE FROM A PARTNER: "I’ve worked with Kim for 12 years. She has done an exceptional job at providing care and comfort for those in need and making those who actively oppress others very uncomfortable." Jared Miller, LCSW, Homeless Team Supervisor, Sheridan VA, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

 

QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: "The CHA Board of Commissioners wishes to Congratulations Kim on her retirement. Her legacy will be defined by her dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Through her leadership and example, Kim leaves in her place an exceptionally talented and dedicated team that truly cares for the people they serve. The culture of professionalism, integrity and respect Kim fostered is a testament to her influence.  The trajectory of the Casper Housing Authority changed from an organization that was treading water to an organization that is serving more families than at any time in the 50-year history. 

Kim's daily presence will be greatly missed; the foundation she created will continue to grow; the impact will continue to be felt throughout the community.  One of Kim's best qualities that she has exemplified time and again over her 13+ years with CHA is her ability to cast a vision, empower her team and see plans through to completion.  Kim has always sought the most efficient means to serve and help the maximum number of people in our community and truly exemplifying selflessness."  John Lichty, Chairman 


QUOTE FROM THE CITY: "I have had the privilege of working with Kim Summerall-Wright on housing developments for the Casper community over the past 15 years. 

Kim is passionate about ensuring that all Casper citizens have access to clean, safe, and affordable housing, as well as supportive services to help residents through their transitional life experiences. 

Kim is brilliant at being able to understand a housing dilemma or need and then putting the funding pieces and management team together to accomplish, and exceed, the goal. Her work as the Executive Director of the Casper Housing Authority has evolved as quickly as the housing projects that she has championed -- from Section 8 rental housing in North Casper, to the purchase and redevelopment of the CentrePointe Apartments, to the newly constructed Raven Crest and Liberty Square Apartments, to the purchase and management oversight of St. Anthony Manor, and most recently the purchase and reorganization of the Wyoming National Apartments in downtown Casper.  In addition, Kim and the Casper Housing Authority team have managed the Life Steps Campus facility, tenants, and case management for the City of Casper since 2014.  


Kim embodies professionalism, integrity, hard work, and love into everything she touches. She is happy knowing that the Casper Housing Authority helps hundreds of families each year find stable housing and living conditions, and yet knows her work is not done. Kim galvanizes others to take action. She is a leader whose talents lead her to serve the community she loves. Kim has made small housing projects ripple outward and used them to leverage more projects. She has created a lasting impact in Casper.” Liz Becher, Community Development Director, City of Casper. 


QUOTE FROM KIM: "When the Casper City Manager recruited me for the CHA position in 2013, my goal was to build a strong team and increase opportunities for those we serve.  All these years later, we have changed the face of affordable housing.  We have given dignity and hope to those we serve.  I have built a strong team who is also a family.  I have been so blessed to be surrounded by the best people I have ever known.   

I have had the honor of being a leader in my field – of being asked to step up to help, to clean up other's messes, to make sure our community's most vulnerable are served, and to hold others accountable. Some people may cheer at my leaving. Some may cheer from the journey we had together. I hope there is more cheering from the latter. I want to extend my sincere thanks to my team, my board, my colleagues, and my partners.   


Thank you all for making this journey incredible.   My heart will always be with the Casper Housing Authority."  Kim Summerall-Wright, Casper Housing Authority 


QUOTE FROM HUD: “As Kim Summerall-Wright prepares to retire, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for her incredible years of service as Executive Director of the Casper Housing Authority.  Kim always operated at the highest level and set the bar high for her staff, always leading by example.  Kim is a person of the highest moral character and integrity and never compromises on her strong values.  She brought those foundational core competencies into every aspect of her work, and her team responded in kind.  Kim has stood out as an exemplary stakeholder and a vital partner to HUD, consistently driving initiatives that strengthened local housing infrastructure and expanded community resources. Her strategic leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication leaves behind a powerful legacy that will be felt for years to come. While her daily presence will be deeply missed, her impact remains a lasting foundation for the Casper community and the people we serve.  We wish her nothing but the best and are excited for her next chapter in life.”  Mark Feilmeier (State Director Wyoming FPM HUD) Andrea Meeks (Program Analyst Wyoming FPM HUD) 

 

 
 
 

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Celebrating 50 Years of Service to the Casper Community

 

Location:

777 Overland Trail, Suite 131

Casper, WY, USA

307-266-1388

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