News Releases
Gov. Spencer Cox names Ryan Starks, Brad Bonham to leadership roles in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Ryan Starks as the new executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. He also named respected businessman Brad Bonham as the department’s first entrepreneur-in-residence.
Ryan Starks is currently the managing director of growth and innovation in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, overseeing business expansion programs and partnerships, rural economic development, international trade and diplomacy, and Utah’s targeted industries initiative. He helped stand up the Utah Immigration Assistance Center, the Utah Broadband Center, and the $69 million Utah Small Business Credit Initiative. He also serves as an honorary commander of the 419-fighter wing at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base.
Previously, he has worked for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, DC, as the executive director of the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce and economic development office in Wasatch County, and as the founding director of the Wasatch Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) — an innovative workforce partnership between students and industry. He also taught as an adjunct professor of management for 10 years in the BYU Marriott School of Business. (Read More)
Salt Lake Chamber debuts 2023 legislative priorities at Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit
The Salt Lake Chamber hosted the annual Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to release its 2023 legislative priorities at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek. Chief among those priorities is sustaining Utah as a safe haven economy driven by good policy and good governance, addressing housing affordability, tackling the water crisis, and investing in infrastructure.
“Utah is a haven of stability amid economic uncertainty because of a united business community,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “Being unified does not mean that we always agree, but when there are challenges we put aside our differences and come together for the greater good. In the coming 45-day legislative session, the Chamber will focus on critical issues of housing affordability, water usage, and workforce challenges. We look forward to working with our legislature and elected officials to continue Utah’s long-term economic prosperity.” (Read More)
Former Utah governor calls for drivers to slow down
Former Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce have joined forces with the National Coalition for Open Roads (NCFOR) to encourage safer winter driving by the public and a continued commitment towards winter road maintenance by state, county, and city officials.
“In the past few weeks, we’ve had a driver cited for going 102 miles per hour in winter conditions and at least three state police cars have been hit during recent storms. Drivers need to slow down. With more snow on the way, let’s be our best selves behind the wheel, especially during tricky road conditions,” said Herbert who served as Utah’s governor from 2009 through 2021 and now serves as the executive chairman of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Read More)
Utah Senate requests public comment on Utah Court of Appeals nominee
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Amy J. Oliver, who Gov. Spencer J. Cox nominated to serve as a judge on the Utah Court of Appeals.
Those who wish to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee electronically or by mail at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023. Electronic comments can be emailed to senatejudicialnominees@le.utah.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee at the Utah State Capitol, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondent’s name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More)
WGU celebrates 300,000th graduate milestone in Utah by honoring nurse from Herriman
As Western Governors University (WGU) surpasses more than 300,000 graduates, the nationally recognized university will honor local maternity nurse Ashley Rawlins of Herriman as one of its distinguished 300,000th graduates at a celebratory reception at its national headquarters in Millcreek. The milestone marks a success for both WGU and Utah’s workforce. (Read More)
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