About Eric & Kelly
Eric’s Bio
Eric Barlow was born in Gillette and raised on the family ranch southwest of town. He grew up like many Wyoming kids—working hard, helping neighbors, and learning early that talk doesn’t get much done unless you back it up with action.
After graduating from Campbell County High School in 1984, Eric enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving, Eric went on to earn a veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1998.
He returned home to practice as a large-animal vet and run the family ranch. Eric was appointed to the Wyoming Livestock Board in 2006 and served for six years. In 2012, he ran for the Wyoming House of Representatives and won. He spent five terms representing southern Campbell and eastern Converse Counties, including time as Majority Leader and Speaker of the House. He’s now serving his first term in the Wyoming Senate, representing District 23.
Since day one, Eric’s approach to public service has been simple: show up, listen, and work. When voters told him they wanted leaders who stick around after the election, he took that to heart. He’s been at town council meetings, community benefits, and public hearings across the district ever since.
He’s helped push for highway safety improvements, worked to get families the information they need on health care and water projects, and stayed focused on solving problems instead of creating new ones. If something needs attention, he digs in.
Eric and his wife Kelly have been married nearly 34 years. She’s an educator and active community volunteer. Together, they raise cattle, sheep, and yak on the family ranch and are proud parents to Kate and Graham.
meet kelly
Elizabeth Kelly (Robinson) Barlow is a daughter of the South, born in northeast Mississippi. Throughout her childhood, the family moved often following large construction projects, resulting in her attending 18 different schools, including a stop in Wright, Wyoming, before graduating high school as an 11th grader in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon graduation, Kelly worked in sales at an overhead conveyor company and saved money to attend college. In 1990, Kelly graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Elementary Education.
In 1991, Kelly married Eric, whom she met in 9th grade in Gillette at Twin Spruce Junior High School. They welcomed two children to their family, Kate and Graham, as Kelly completed her Master's in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. After Eric graduated from Veterinary School, they moved to Newcastle and then, two years later, back to Gillette.
Kelly homeschooled their children for most of their schooling and served as a 4-H leader for twenty years. After completing what she refers to as “21 years of maternity leave,” Kelly has worked in both public and private education settings as a case manager and teacher, all the while taking on ranch work, too.
Kelly has served on the Climb Wyoming Board and the Gillette College Foundation Board. She is currently President of the Campbell County Woolgrowers Auxiliary, State Make-It-With-Wool co-director of the 4H Foundation and State Officer for P.E.O.
Kelly hosts numerous events at the family ranch in support of local non-profits, Leadership Wyoming, Gillette Area Leadership Institute and school kids' visits to the ranch. She is well known for her charming hospitality and great cooking. Kelly is often heard telling others that ”strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.”
