Governor appoints Bret Fanning director of the Wyoming Department of Revenue

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon announced he has appointed Bret Fanning director of the Wyoming Department of Revenue. Fanning replaces Brenda Henson who retired earlier this year after serving as director since 2021.

Fanning has served as administrator of the Wyoming Department of Revenue’s Excise Tax Division since 2022. 

In that capacity, he directed statewide administration of a number of tax types, including sales, use, lodging, nicotine products, prepaid wireless and wind generation. From 2011 until 2022 Fanning both conducted and reviewed taxpayer audits for the Wyoming Department of Audit’s Excise Tax Division.

A Cheyenne native, Fanning earned his bachelors degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wyoming.

The Wyoming Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration and collection of mineral and excise taxes as well as the valuation of property and the wholesale distribution of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of liquor control laws. 

It includes the Administrative Services Division, the Excise Tax Division, the Property Tax Division, the Mineral Tax Division and the Liquor Division.

This story was published on August 2, 2025.