'A positive influence for the people': Tom Bass receives WTE Community Spirit Award

Oct. 7—CHEYENNE — The president of Wyoming Bank and Trust, a family-owned bank that has served Cheyenne for more 100 years, said customers would often comment on the bank's warm and homey environment.

As president of the bank, Tom Bass felt it was his duty to find ways to give back to the community — and that went beyond helping people buy their first house. Since his arrival in Cheyenne nearly 30 years ago, Bass continues to be an active part of the volunteering community, finding new ways to connect with people and offer help in any way he can.

Bass has served as board member of 11 organizations and committees, graduated from Leadership Cheyenne and Leadership Wyoming, served as president of Cheyenne Kiwanis Foundation and has become widely known for his remarkable fundraising capabilities. His 20-plus years of volunteer service, notable spirit and constant willingness to lend a hand has made Bass the recipient of the 2023 Wyoming Tribune Eagle Community Spirit Award.

"He will be one of the first to pitch in and help if something needs to be done," Wyoming Bank and Trust CEO Jeff Wallace wrote when he nominated Bass for the award. "Tom is on the top of many people's list when it comes to people they want to serve on a board, help raise money for a good cause, or just be a positive influence for the people of Cheyenne."

Honor Flight Program — a tribute to veterans

Bass's office sits left of the bank's lobby, where sunlight pours through the windows and reflects off the myriad pictures, plaques and other accolades dotting his office walls. The largest photograph sits next to the office door, featuring dozens of World War II veterans who were part of the Wyoming Honor Flight program.

Honor Flight is a national program that flies WWII veterans from all over the country to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"(Honor Flight) is really personal to me," Bass said. "That's probably my favorite board I was on."

Bass' father served in the war as a B29 pilot and died before the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., was completed in 2004. Bass served as vice president and board member of the WWII Honor Flight Wyoming chapter, and played a huge part in raising money for the program.

"We got 650 Wyoming veterans," Bass said. "And they didn't have to pay a dime. We raised all the money, we chartered the jets."

Being able to organize the trips for other Wyoming veterans helped Bass build a personal connection to his father.

"To me, it was kind of like getting my dad to see it," Bass said. "It was very special to me."

Giving back to Cheyenne

Bass was a young banker in his 30s when he moved west from New Jersey to Wyoming 27 years ago. Uncertain of how he would be welcomed in Cheyenne, Bass said he didn't hesitate to "cannonball" into the volunteer community.

"To me, Cheyenne is a magical place with a lot of volunteers," Bass said. "And that's what I love to do."

Leadership Cheyenne, a development program sponsored by the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, was the gateway program that lead him to leadership roles in the community. Since his graduation, Bass has served on several boards including, but not limited to, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, LCCC Foundation, Meals on Wheels Foundation, Laramie County Library Foundation, Cheyenne LEADS and the State Banking Board, which he was appointed as chairman by the governor.

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins met Bass nearly 25 years ago through Leadership Cheyenne, where the men bonded over their mutual love for sports.

"Tom's only flaw is that he's a New York Giants fan," Collins said.

All jokes aside, Collins described Bass as the kind of guy with a positive spirit who never said no.

"Typically, you don't get this award unless you've done great things," Collins said. "And that's Tom — leaving the city better than how we found it."

Bass participates in the community through other "non-officer" roles, as well, such as through his annual participation of the Breast Cancer Awareness walk, volunteerism in Canines for Mobility and gathering silent auction items for various organizations.

Lori Garrison, president of the Cheyenne Rotary Club, said Bass had a knack for connecting with people and would always sign up to be the greeter during Rotary events.

"He takes it seriously," Garrison said. "When people come to Rotary, he's like 'Welcome, I'm so glad that you're here.'"

No matter who you speak to, anyone who worked with Bass would comment on his infectious smile, positive personality and constant need to check on others.

"Rotary has this motto, service above self," Garrison said. "If I had to give one sentence to describe Tom Bass, it would be service above self."

Volunteerism is more than helping — it's about connecting

During a conversation with the WTE in his office one crisp, fall morning, Bass said volunteer work was something that always interested him, as both a banker and a community member.

"My parents instilled that into me as a young person. Helping people is what really gives me a lot of satisfaction," Bass said. "To get a beautiful community like we have here, you need volunteers."

Cheyenne Frontier Days was a prime example of this. The 127-year-old tradition is a big tourist attraction for the Cheyenne community, bringing in thousands of visitors to the state from all over the country.

"There's so many people who volunteer here in Cheyenne, just look at Cheyenne Frontier Days," Bass said. "You have 3,000 volunteers that just go out there take time off their job to go out there."

If there was an opportunity to volunteer, no matter how big or small, Bass was there to offer a hand. Outside of his service on boards and committees, Bass could often be found delivering meals to a church or helping animals at the local shelter.

One of the biggest questions the WTE had for the bank president was what drove him to volunteer as much as he does.

"Helping people is what really gives me a lot of satisfaction. It really does," Bass said. "You know, keeping the optimistic look on life is just to wake up every day ... I love my job. I love coming to work, I really do. And then I love helping people in the community."

Hannah Shields is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's state government reporter. She can be reached at 307-633-3167 or hshields@wyomingnews.com. You can follow her on X @happyfeet004.