Meet the Board Members!

Mandie Hines, President 

Mandie Hines’s writing explores grief, hope, and healing. Her poetry collection, Origami Stars and Hot Air Moon (Winter Goose Publishing, 2020), offers poignant reflections, while her thriller/horror novel, The Lost Always Take Off Their Shoes (Winter Goose Publishing, 2022), delves into the supernatural. Passionate about fostering a vibrant literary community, Mandie dedicates herself to connecting writers and creating platforms for artists’ voices. Look for her forthcoming collection Arms Against the Sea (2026). She’s also writing a supernatural mystery series. Discover more at www.mandiehines.com.

Mary Whalen, Vice President 

​Mary Whalen has lived all her life in Wyoming, including Cheyenne, Sheridan, and Laramie as a student at the University of Wyoming. Mary has a sense that through various state-wide connections, she was destined to have a role in supporting writers in Wyoming. She fills her retirement hours by writing, creating, art, exercising, traveling (road trips and camping) and she participates in activities that encourage the concept of insight and camaraderie throughout the state of Wyoming. Mary plans to complete her memoir and publish her first book and encourage others to write and think creatively.

Tom Spence, Secretary

Tom Spence, born in Sheridan, Wyoming. Grew up in Laramie, Bolivia, SA, Colorado. Graduated from Laramie High School, U of Wyoming BA/MA (Art &; English). Taught in colleges in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York. Worked in New York’s subway for 21 years; proud member and officer of Transport Workers Union, Local 100; retired 1991. Built and ran Tom’s Main Street Diner in Buffalo; retired again, 2006. Published “Observations and Commentary” 100 poems; 2021. Board member of Wyoming Writers and Wyo Poets at various times. “Age does not engender wisdom, merely resignation.” (Warren Wendover, Chairman, Bilderbeck Creek Poetry Forum.)
Photo Credit: ​Vikki Chenette

Chandra Watson, Treasurer

By day, I go by Chandra. A single mom of two wonderful boys who have been my inspiration to follow my dreams, because if I want them to know anything is possible, I must first show them the way. For me, that falls into breaking world records in powerlifting, growing a lovely garden, experiencing the world, healing trauma, and being my most authentic self. I have always been a
poet, though I didn't gather the courage to publish until I found my pseudonym, C.S. Phoenix. Under which I have published two books, Honor  and Integrity, with Candor being released later this year.

John Roedel, Past President

John Roedel is a self-published poet and the former President of WyoPoets and is excited to work alongside the Board to support and promote poetry throughout the state of Wyoming. Roedel is the author of several books—Hey God. Hey John. (2018), Any Given Someday (2018), Untied (2019), Remedy (2021), Upon Departure (2022), Fitting In Is For Sardines (2023), Wonderache (2024), And Now…A Word From Your Ghosts (2025). Offering a sincere and very relatable look at his faith crisis, mental health, personal struggles, perception of our world, and even his fashion sense, John's writing has been shared millions of times across social media and lauded by fans and readers worldwide.