Salt Lake Business Journal | June 15, 2026

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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June 15, 2026 | Volume 4, Issue 23

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INSIDE PARK CITY Local businesses pledge to help U.S. Biathlon team Page 4 SALT LAKE CITY Salt Palace to close for three years for reconstruction Page 5 IVINS Tickets for PGA Tour event now on sale Page 10 INDUSTRY BRIEFS Pages 12 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Page 13 BUSINESS CALENDAR Page 14

OF NOTE

Jefferson Moss, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, speaks during a gathering to unveil the state’s new 10-year strategic economic development plan. (Brice Wallace/Salt Lake Business Journal)

10-year economic development plan unveiled Brice Wallace Salt Lake Business Journal

SLCC enrollment continues to grow Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) had more than 51,000 students enrolled this past year, including a little over 12,000 in concurrent high school enrollment. The school has a joint 90-acre campus in Herriman in partnership with the University of Utah that it opened in 2023, one of its eight campus sites.

Utah has a new statewide strategic economic development plan, one that Gov. Spencer Cox says is committed “to finding new ways to drive creativity, innovation and experiences that draw the world here.” At a recent ceremony at the Utah Capitol, Cox and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development unveiled the 10-year plan, dubbed “Utah Elevated,” a play on the state’s “Life Elevated” slogan. The plan aims to create “a more coordinated, outbound economic devel-

opment posture for Utah and GOED,” with GOED assuming a central role in coordinating statewide economic development projects. “We have to be committed and coordinated collectively — all of us together — to act as skilled Sherpas — a guide for investors, innovators and businesses that drive our state forward,” Cox told the audience. “And crucially, we need to act in a way for opportunities from outside our state, be it a company relocating or expanding, a foreign direct investment or a deeper partnership with another country. Make no mistake about it: We are in a competition with other states and other nations for financial capital, talent and business investment.”

Cox said that Utah faces both economic tailwinds and headwinds, and that the state government needs to “create the right environments” for business growth. Jefferson Moss, formerly executive director of the previously named Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and now commissioner of GOED, said Utah is doing well economically and that the new plan came from input and feedback from businesses. The governor, he said, wanted “an actionable, measurable plan.” GOED’s charge is to convene, with the right people discussing issues; to connect the right people with the right resee ECONOMIC page 2

O’Leary backs down, agrees to cut Stratos Project data center area in half John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal Celebrity business mogul Kevin O’Leary has agreed to scale back his controversial 40,000-acre data center project in Box Elder County. The announcement came in response to mounting backlash over the development’s size and environmental impact. “I have no choice,” the Canadian investor told reporters at a black-tie event in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Washington AI Network. O’Leary said he was eliminating ac-

quisition of two of the three land parcels in his original campus plans, which will reduce the project area to around 20,000 acres from the original 40,000acre plan. The Stratos Project, a “hyperscale” data center development, is a joint development between Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) — which approved the deal with a series of resolutions in April — and O’Leary Digital Utah Development Co., with O’Leary of ABC-TV’s “Shark Tank” at the helm. It has been billed as one of the world’s largest AI data center developments and was approved to span multi-

ple sites. O’Leary will market the project under the name “Wonder Valley.” The reduction announced by O’Leary does not achieve the 75 percent project reduction demanded in a June 1 letter to O’Leary from Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams. Adams asked O’Leary that the project be reduced to 10,000 acres in addition to “greater transparency, stronger conservation commitments and enhanced protections for Utah’s natural resources,” including protections for the Great Salt Lake. see STRATOS page 3

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ECONOMIC from page 1

sources; and to catalyze, or how to help support businesses. The vision focuses on three areas: innovation, including deep tech, energy and aerospace and defense, where Utah already is leading; the creative economy, in the form of film and other arts; and the experience economy, including outdoor recreation and events. As listed in a 54-page booklet available at the event and now online at business. utah.gov/utahelevated, GOED is charged with leading coordination efforts to develop an action plan to establish those three elements as core pillars of Utah’s economic development ecosystem, and to ensure coordination among state agencies that touch those economies. The plan also establishes the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games as “a natural runway and catalyst of critical priorities. Utah will once again return to the global stage, expanding the awareness of our state globally.” The Games, it says, will be used to accelerate international business attraction and target foreign direct investment from trade mission markets, global family offices and others. The Olympics also will

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL be “a deadline to support the narrative for generational infrastructure investments such as transit and community connectivity.” The plan also includes goals and measurements, among them tasking GOED to reach: • An annual job growth rate of 2 percent or higher by 2030 and 2.5 percent or higher by 2035. The 2026 baseline figure is 1 percent. • Nonfarm employment of 2.15 million by 2030 and 2.4 million-plus by 2035. It’s about 1.93 million now. • Sustaining Utah’s top ranking for median household income, currently at $98,336. • Business recruitment wins of 20plus by 2030 and 30-plus in 2035, above the 15 in 2026. • Annual goods exports of $28 billion by 2030 and $35 billion-plus by 2035. The 2025 figure was $22.4 billion. During the event, Cox ceremonially signed legislation related to economic development, including the GOED name change, the establishment of an Economic Development Council, and changes to state permitting and workforce development. “It’s certainly a time of uncertainty in so many ways, but in times of uncertainty, in times of difficulty, that’s where op-

A crowd gathered at the Utah Capital listens to Jefferson Moss, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, as he and Gov. Spencer Cox spell out the details of the state’s new 10-year strategic economic development plan. (Brice Wallace/Salt Lake Business Journal) portunity exists, where states like us get a chance to really shine and to thrive,” Cox said. The governor noted several Utah economic advantages, including “the homegrown entrepreneurs that have made this place so special” and social capital that results in systems that build trust. Companies considering Utah for their operations, he said, will find a state with a high GDP, a booming tech ecosystem,

a diverse economy, people who are “really nice” and speak many languages, a state still small enough that one can meet high-level officials but big enough that have direct flights to foreign locations, and a state where it’s easier to get through the process to invest. “And then it becomes the easiest decision they’ve ever had,” Cox said. “They can’t believe they ever thought of going anywhere else.”

MWCN Report: Utah deal activity rebounds in 2025, setting stage for strong 2026 Utah’s capital markets had a great 2025, according to the recently released Deal Flow Report from Mountain West Capital Network (MWCN). The deal volume matched levels last seen during the record-setting market of 2021, with 435 total reported transactions with a deal value reaching $17.2 billion. Released annually, the report offers a comprehensive look at capital investment within Utah companies and gives business leaders an idea of what to expect in the next year. Overcoming a slow start to the year due to international supply chain disruptions, tariff volatility and interest rate instability, capital investment deals saw a decisive re-acceleration in the second half, as engagement letters surged and buyer meetings accelerated, report authors said. “2025 was a year that tested Utah’s

resolve, and our market came through with its fundamentals intact,” said Jason Roberts, president of MWCN and managing director at consulting firm Protiviti. “The data tells a compelling story: A cautious first half gave way to real momentum by year’s end, and the pipeline building right now points to a very active 2026. Merger and acquisition activity in 2025 totaled approximately 249 transactions, representing roughly $11.74 billion in disclosed value. The largest deals were concentrated in premium, institutional-grade businesses, including Edifecs, Eco Material Technologies, Bridge Investment Group, SILAC and Sizzling Platter. For the first time on record, deal volume in Utah County’s Lehi/Provo corridor reached a comparable level to Salt Lake County, reflecting the continued growth of Silicon Slopes as a deal-making hub, the report said.

At 39 percent of deal volume, Utah County continues to lead with a robust technology sector, bolstered by companies that drive innovation and shape the industry’s landscape. Standout transactions include Cotiviti’s acquisition of Edifecs ($3 billion), Filevine ($400 million) and Angel Studio’s special purpose acquisition company ($1.6 billion). At the same time, a meaningful sector shift is underway with insurance, wealth management, dental services, food services, healthcare and infrastructure sectors capturing an increasing share of private equity attention. Rollup activity in blue-collar and consumer service industries is also expanding significantly. “Private equity behavior in 2025 was shaped by one overriding theme: limited partners demanded capital back,” the report said. This dynamic drove sponsors to push assets to market, accelerate continua-

tion vehicle (CV) formation, and favor derisked, cash-yielding assets. 2025 was widely described as the year continuation vehicles moved from niche to mainstream, with several Utah-connected CVs pricing at the highest multiples seen in recent memory. “Despite the level of scrutiny and the discerning lens we put on all of this data, 2025 came in at a comparable deal volume to what we saw in 2021,” said Terry Pratchett, MWCN Deal Flow chair and managing director at PNC Bank. “Seeing that kind of volume — with M&A and public equity transactions both up — is a fantastic result, and it carries real momentum forward into 2026.” MountainWest Capital Network is a Utah business networking organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial success and dedicated to the flow of financial, entrepreneurial and intellectual capital.

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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

STRATOS from page 1

Records show that none of the water in the Stratos Project area which will be diverted for use by the data center and its on-site power generating plant currently flows to the Great Salt Lake. O’Leary said he felt that Adam’s letter was politically motivated because of the uproar over the project in Utah. Polls have found that Utahns oppose the data center project by a slim margin, primarily due to lack of public input as the approval process advanced. Adams is facing a pair of GOP challengers for his Senate seat in next week’s primary. “I know he did it (sent the letter) for political reasons,” O’Leary told NBC News. “He has to address those issues, and so do I.” He said he sent a response to Adams detailing his revised project plans. Adams, who is also the chair of the MIDA, the state entity that will partner with O’Leary Digital on the Stratos Project, responded to O’Leary’s compromise in a statement published on his official Utah Senate website. “O’Leary’s concessions in response to the demand letter I sent are a positive step forward,” Adams said. “The concerns raised by Utahns are valid, which is why I have pushed for meaningful changes to ensure those issues are addressed before any project can move forward. “It is important to highlight that this process is still in its earliest stages —

no approvals or permits have been applied for, let alone issued. There must be written commitments in place, and the proposal must undergo a full permitting and environmental review process, just like any other development project in Utah.” Adams also referred to assurances concerning Great Salt Lake water made by O’Leary. Details of that commitment were unknown at press time. “Protecting Utah’s water, especially the future of the Great Salt Lake, remains one of my highest priorities. As a result of the letter, the project now includes a commitment of water that did not previously exist for the Great Salt Lake,” Adam’s statement said. Adams also claimed additional victories from the O’Leary action. “O’Leary also committed thousands of acres to be set aside for open space, wildlife protections and continued agricultural use under an agreement with the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Additional commitments include heat-capture technology and independent scientific and engineering reviews of environmental impacts, water use, infrastructure demands and long-term sustainability,” Adams added. “The response to the demand letter I sent demonstrates that public engagement matters and that Utahns’ concerns are being heard. I will continue working to ensure those concerns lead to meaningful changes, stronger safeguards and greater accountability,” Adams concluded.

The proposed Stratos Project data center in Box Elder County would have dozens of these massive computer-housing buildings. In a concession to Utah backlash, developer Kevin O’Leary has agreed to cut the project size by 50 percent. (Rendering courtesy Gensler Architecture)

Data center opponents file two lawsuits aimed at stopping the project Opponents of the proposed Stratos Project data center in Box Elder County have filed a pair of separate lawsuits aimed at derailing the venture planned by celebrity Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary and Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA). The first suit, filed with the 1st District Court for Utah, is an appeal of the rejection of referendum applications submitted by the Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR) group. The group applied to put a referendum on the upcoming November election ballot that would reverse the Box Elder County Commission’s approval of the data center. Box Elder County Attorney Stephen R. Hadfield previously denied three referendum applications, including the one by the BEAR group, saying the decisions made by the commissioners were not “legally referable to voters.” He said the county commission’s decisions on the data center were not laws but rather “administrative actions” and could not be challenged by referendum. “The Utah Constitution and Utah Supreme Court case law give us the right to place this important decision back in the hands of the people — where the power should be — through the referendum process,” said referendum co-sponsor Brenna Williams. “By appealing the coun-

ty’s decision, we are exercising that right. We are confident that our argument for a referendum has standing before the court and before the people.” BEAR leaders said they hope that the district court will rule quickly enough to ensure that the question can still appear on the ballot in November. A second suit, brought in the 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City by the Alliance for a Better Utah and five anonymous Box Elder County residents, seeks to stop the data center project on civil rights and constitutionality grounds. It asks that approval actions by both the Box Elder County Commission and MIDA be nullified, effectively halting the project. The suit argues that MIDA operates as an unelected body in violation of the Utah Constitution as it holds control over public health, safety and taxation without voter recourse. The progressive alliance also alleges that the approval process was unconstitutional, stripped citizens of legislative referendum rights, and involved potential conflicts of interest regarding funds flowing to a political action committee. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and Utah Sen. Jerry Stevenson, who sit on the MIDA board, are also named in the suit, which claims that the senators should not be allowed to hold positions with MIDA while serving in the Senate.

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The 2026 Olympic U.S. Biathlon team in Antholz, Italy. (Courtesy U.S. Biathlon)

Target Circle allows more Utah businesses to partner with Olympic athletes Rebecca Olds Salt Lake Business Journal Utah businesses looking for a way to connect with the 2034 Winter Olympics can now do so through a new partnership program supporting the U.S. Biathlon Team. Target Circle is named for biathlon’s literal shooting target and the circle of up to 50 Utah businesses rallying around and supporting the U.S. Biathlon team. The initiative aims to recruit 50 Utah companies to contribute annually toward athlete development and training while gaining access to exclusive events and experiences through 2034. “This is really a first of its kind. … No other Olympic host community has done something like this,” said Sharlene Wells, chief public affairs officer at Mountain America Credit Union. If all memberships are filled each year through 2034, the initiative could generate about $2 million for the team. “We’re not U.S. Ski and Snowboard, we’re not Track and Field, we’re not USA Hockey. … We live very, very frugally, and the contributions that this program will provide are going to make a big difference,” said Jack Gierhart, CEO of U.S. Biathlon Team. Since relocating its headquarters to Midway in 2023, the organization has sought to build greater community support as it pursues what would be the program’s first Olympic medal, Gierhart said. While biathlon is one of Europe’s most popular spectator sports, the sport re-

mains relatively unknown in the United States, creating fundraising and awareness challenges for the team. “We’re not quite there yet, but we’ve got all the ingredients right now, and with the increased support that we’re going to be getting from the local community, donors, from other sponsors, from the U.S. Olympic Committee, all the pieces are falling into place,” Gierhart said. Companies currently signed up for 2026 include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mountain America Credit Union, Redmond Minerals and the City Journals. In exchange for the buy-in, participants will gain direct access to athletes and training experiences while helping support the team’s pursuit of its first Olympic medal.

For $5,000 a year, participating companies will receive two hosted training experiences, tickets to national and international biathlon events at Soldier Hollow, an invitation to an annual VIP reception, and the CEO will receive a U.S. Biathlon-branded jacket and hat. Funds are to be distributed to direct athlete support by increasing stipends, financial support and high-performance programming for about 40 professional athletes. Some will be allotted to help up-and-coming talent for the sport in the state. Businesses interested in the Target Circle opportunity can find more information by emailing targetcircle@usbiathlon.org.

Athletes at a U.S. Biathlon camp held in October 2025. From Soldier Hollow’s summer development camp, U.S. Biathlon is nurturing 15 to 20 promising young athletes each season, growing the next generation of American biathletes. (Courtesy U.S. Biathlon)

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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Salt Palace will go dark for a three-year redesign and rebuild project John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal Salt Lake County officials have confirmed the timing of a three-year closure of the Salt Palace. A major redesign and reconstruction project, coinciding with the development of a major downtown Salt Lake City sports and entertainment district, will begin in the fall of 2027, with reopening planned for early 2031. The Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center, named in honor of Utah’s 11th governor, has long been the hub of Utah’s thriving convention industry. And this won’t be the first time it has shut down for reconstruction. The facility, first opened in 1969 as a home to professional sports teams, including the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles minor league hockey franchise, was completely razed in 1994 to make way for the new convention center, which opened in February 1996. Significant expansions in 2000 and 2005 brought the center to its current nearly 1 million square feet of meeting space. While renovation plans are yet to be finalized, officials have said the new facility will have double the event ballroom capacity, with modernized visitors’ facilities and the capacity to hold multiple events simultaneously. At one time, county officials had hoped to keep parts

The Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center is scheduled to be shuttered for a three-year redesign and renovation project beginning in the fall of 2027. The project is part of a larger sports and entertainment district rebuild of downtown Salt Lake City. (Courtesy Salt Lake County) of the Salt Palace open during remodeling but now say the extent of the construction will not make that possible. While the rebuilt Salt Palace will be considered second to none as a convention facility when it reopens, there will be many concerns as three years’ worth of meetings will need to look elsewhere for accommodations. The Salt Palace hosts upwards of 200 conventions every year,

according to Visit Salt Lake, the marketing organization tasked with bringing groups to the city. Previously scheduled events will continue through next summer pending the total shutdown of the center. Beginning with the shutdown, some events may be shifted to the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, but others will certainly have to be moved out of Utah, cre-

ating a significant economic impact on downtown commerce. “The reimagining of our convention center will enable Salt Lake County to add a second ballroom, expand meeting space and host multiple events simultaneously,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “This means more visitors, more hotel stays and more tax revenue to support our community services. A reinvestment in the Salt Palace Convention Center is vital to maintaining Salt Lake’s position as a premier meeting and convention destination. Renovations to the convention center will increase flexibility and capacity, enabling the venue to accommodate a wider range of events at a larger scale.” Salt Lake County has agreed to sell a 6.5-acre tract where the western edge of the Salt Palace sits to Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth, to become part of a major $1.8 billion rebuild of the blocks immediately east of the Delta Center. That sale is set to close early next year. The county has said that the Japanese Garden property next to the SEG purchase is not included and will continue to be maintained under county ownership. Although rumors have suggested that Abravanel Hall or the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art may also experience closures during the redevelopment, the county has not announced any such plans.

Longtime MTECH President Clay Christensen announces plans to step down

Mountainland Technical College President Clay Christensen has announced he will step down after 20 years leading Utah’s largest public technical college. His departure will take effect in September. The Utah Board of Higher Education will begin the process to identify the college’s next president in the coming months. Christensen was appointed president of Mountainland Technical College in 2006 and has provided leadership for students, faculty, staff, trustees, business and industry partners, and the broader educational community across the Mountainland Region. “Serving as the president of Mountainland Technical College has been an honor and the highlight of my professional career,” Christensen said in a release from the school. “Working alongside dedicated professionals who are committed to providing opportunities for students to better their lives through technical education has been so rewarding.” During Christensen’s tenure, MTECH experienced significant growth in stu-

dents, programs, facilities and industry partnerships. The college now serves more than 6,500 students annually across dozens of industry-focused programs. MTECH has been recognized repeatedly as Utah’s Clay Christensen Best of State winner in the technical college/vocational education category, and it earned its seventh recognition in nine years in 2026. That same year, the college also celebrated the largest graduating class of Utah’s public technical colleges while maintaining strong completion, placement and licensure outcomes. “President Christensen’s leadership will have a lasting impact on technical education in Utah,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah commissioner of higher education. “He has helped Mountainland Technical College grow with purpose, responded to

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the needs of students and employers, and strengthened the role of technical education in preparing Utahns for high-demand careers. His exceptional and steady leadership has shaped MTECH in meaningful and lasting ways.” Under Christensen’s leadership, MTECH expanded its physical footprint and regional reach, including the opening of a new Payson Campus designed to serve more than 1,000 students each year in programs aligned with workforce needs in southern Utah County. The college will cut the ribbon on a new Heber Valley Campus later this summer, further strengthening MTECH’s presence across Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties, where it now serves students across six campus locations and 14 buildings throughout the region. Christensen also helped strengthen major industry and education partnerships, including the creation of the Clyde School of Trades, a first-of-its-kind partnership between a Utah technical college and Clyde Companies. The school

supports more than 1,000 students annually in trades programs, including automation, automotive technology, diesel technology, welding, machining and CDL training. MTECH also launched a new civil construction program with Clyde Companies to help meet Utah’s growing demand for skilled workers in infrastructure and construction. In 2024, Christensen was inducted into the Council on Occupational Education Hall of Fame as the inaugural recipient of the Chief Administrative Officer of the Year award, recognizing his leadership, vision and commitment to advancing technical and occupational education. Before joining MTECH, Christensen taught at Uintah and Lehi high schools, worked at the Utah State Office of Education as a program specialist, and served as advisor to the Utah FFA and Utah Young Farmer Educational Association. He also served as director of career and technical education for Alpine School District and held state and national leadership roles in professional organizations.

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Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena christens his company’s new locomotive, No. 4547, at a ceremony at Northrop Grumman’s facility near Corinne in Box Elder County. The train engine would leave soon after the event to haul rocket motor segments to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Courtesy Northrop Grumman)

Union Pacific Railroad’s newest commemorative locomotive, No. 4547, leads a train hauling Artemis III rocket parts south along I-15 through Northern Utah. Eight specialty train cars make up the train as it heads to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also in the lineup is commemorative locomotive No. 1616, which honors President Abraham Lincoln. (Courtesy Union Pacific)

Commemorative locomotive’s first job: Hauling Utah-made Artemis III rocket parts John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal Sometime late next year, they’ll head into space, but that journey started on a Utah railroad earlier this month. Manufactured by Northrop Grumman at its plant near Corinne, they are the final eight twin solid rocket booster motor segments required for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III spaceflight mission. Following a ceremony at a Northrop Grumman loading facility near Corinne during which Union Pacific Railroad unveiled its newest commemorative locomotive, the rocket motor parts began their journey to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where assembly is scheduled to begin this summer. Powering the dozen-unit train and mak-

ing its first working run was No. 4547, a locomotive that honors President Donald Trump and commemorates America’s 250th anniversary. Built by Pittsburgh-based Wabtec, the mostly white engine is decorated with a patriotic American flag theme. The 4547 designation alludes to Trump serving as both the 45th and 47th president of the U.S. No. 4547 was joined at the head of the train by No. 1616, another special commemorative locomotive that honors President Abraham Lincoln and Union Pacific’s history. Lincoln founded Union Pacific in 1862 when he signed the Pacific Railway Act, approving construction of the transcontinental railroad. No. 1616 was christened in 2025. Its red-and-black color scheme is a direct nod to the historic locomotives of the Lincoln era. A third locomotive in the presidential

series, No. 4141, recognizes President George H.W. Bush, a noted rail enthusiast. Upon completion of its inaugural freight mission from Utah to Florida, No. 4547 will join Union Pacific’s standard freight network. When they arrive in Florida, the eight Utah-made motor segments will join previous hardware delivered back in April. Together, they will begin to form the massive launch vehicle as “stacking” assembly begins on the mobile launch platform. “We are proud to honor President Donald J. Trump with this commemorative engine while helping advance the Artemis III mission,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said at the ceremony. “As No. 4547 carries these rocket components, it represents the strength of our nation’s supply chain and our role in connecting the country — linking industries, communities and opportunity from our

rail network to the surface of the moon.” “From Northern Utah’s role in building the transcontinental railroad to powering exploration with our Space Launch System boosters, this partnership shows how American industries and innovation are building the future,” said Wendy Williams, vice president and general manager of launch and exploration at Northrop Grumman. Artemis III will launch four astronauts from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Orion spacecraft, rocketed into space on the Space Launch System. The Northrop Grumman boosters help the craft break Earth’s initial gravitational pull. The mission will test critical rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial human landing systems from SpaceX and Blue Origin needed to deliver astronauts to the lunar surface.

Consumer sentiment decreases slightly in May after significant April decline Utah’s consumer sentiment index fell a statistically insignificant 0.2 percent in May, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey conducted by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The small decrease follows a sharp 13.5 percent decline in April and is within the survey’s margin of error. A similar survey conducted by the University of Michigan reported that senti-

ment decreased by 10 percent among all Americans in May. Survey authors said the decreases are likely due to the economic pressures caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Since the conflict’s onset in February, United States sentiment has declined by about 21 percent while Utah consumer sentiment has fallen by 11 percent. “Despite recent decreases, it’s great to see that Utah consumers remain more con-

fident than U.S. consumers. Utah’s fundamental economic strengths — including strong employment and GDP growth — continue to help bolster consumer sentiment,” said Zions Bank Senior Economist Robert Spendlove. The Utah consumer confidence survey uses key questions from the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers. These questions measure residents’ views of the present economic situation and their ex-

pectations for the economy in the future. Data gathered from the key questions are used to create the consumer confidence index for Utah. Demographic questions are included in the questionnaire to allow for additional analysis of the data and to assess the representativeness of the sample. The full results of the monthly Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey can be accessed at https://gardner.utah.edu/ zions-bank-consumer-sentiment-survey/.

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Inaugural Utah Youth Sports Giving Day announced by local business partners Tom Haraldsen The City Journals Miller Sports & Entertainment, the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation and the Daniels Fund are creating the Utah Youth Sports Giving Day campaign, a statewide effort to expand access to youth sports programs. The campaign was announced at a press event at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on June 5. The two-week campaign will run Sept. 12-26. It’s designed to rally individuals, businesses and community groups to pledge their support to nonprofits that are working to expand access to youth sports. Among other entities supporting this program are America First Credit Union, SME Industries, Mountainland Supply, the Forever Young Foundation, the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, the Huntsman Family Foundation, Maverik, Ken Garff for Good, the Boyer Co. and the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation. The goal is to generate $3 million in total support, with the partners committing $1.5 million in matching funds. “Youth sports is more than just building an athlete,” said Michelle Smith, President of Miller Sports & Entertainment. “Sports help build character and confidence. This campaign is designed to help more people all across the state, to give young people opportunities to experience the joy, connection and growth that comes from being a part of a team.” The campaign mirrors a similar effort launched in Colorado in 2024 by the Daniels Fund to expand access to organized sports. That program has raised $9 million and helped to support 240 nonprofit organizations in the state. That has helped with equipment and uniform purchases for athletes, program growth and support of new facilities.

Speakers at the event were (starting third from left) President of Miller Sports & Entertainment Michelle Smith, Larry H. Miller Co. Chairman of the Board Steve Miller, first lady Abby Cox and Gov. Spencer Cox, Olympic bobsled pilot Kaysha Love, and Chief Impact Officer for the Daniels Fund Luke Ragland. They shared the stage with mascots from RSL and the Utah Royals, the Utah Dirty Sodas and the Salt Lake Bees. (Photos by Tom Haraldsen, Salt Lake Business Journal)

“The average cost to a family for one child in a primary sport was over $1,100,” said Luke Ragland, chief impact officer of the Daniels Fund, which was started years ago by the late Bill Daniels, an original owner of the Utah Stars ABA basketball team in the 1970s. “From uniforms to soaring league fees, this is a signature moment of generosity in our communities — helping young athletes who don’t struggle with ability as much as with access.” “As a foundation and as a family, we are always asking how we can help our communities thrive,” said Steve Miller, chairman of the board at the Larry H. Miller Co. “We’re proud to support this campaign because we know that when young people have the opportunity to play sports, it’s an investment that strengthens kids, families and communities across Utah.” Two-time Olympian bobsled pilot and world champion Kaysha Love, who grew up in West Jordan, said sports inspired her as a youth, encouraging her to reach out for new things. “I started bobEach speaker was given a commemorative “participation trophy” sled just six years ago, and I’ve gone by event organizers.

to the Olympics twice and won a world championship,” she said. “Sports taught me discipline, resilience and gave me the passion to keep working at it even when the road gets hard. This is what Utah is all about — giving — and I’m very excited to lend my support to Youth Sports Giving Day.” Utah first lady Abby Cox told the audience that she played softball as a young girl, riding her bike off the family farm and into town at least two or three times a week to play. “The power of that opportunity — to be able to participate in sports — was huge,” she said. “I started playing in the Junior Jazz basketball program and I had a dream to be in the WNBA. While that obviously didn’t happen, what I did learn is incredible leadership skills that this generation of kids need more than ever. They can have a chance to be outside with other humans, and we’re in trouble if we raise a generation of kids who don’t know how to connect with each other.” Gov. Spencer Cox also loved playing sports as a youth, and he said sports “are one of the most powerful ways to help young people build confidence. Utah Youth Sports Giving Day is the opportunity for all of us to come together and help ensure every child has a chance to play.” Organizations interested in participating in the Utah Youth Sports Giving Day can sign up at utahyouthsportsgivingday.

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Utah native Kaysha Love, a two-time Olympian and world champion bobsled pilot, says sports were a defining part of her childhood, teaching resilience, discipline and passion, even when the going gets tough. com. Registration closes Sept. 1. Beginning Sept. 12, Utahns can donate to any registered youth sports nonprofit organization. Those organizations can register at that website, where public donations and sponsorships can also be made. Abby Cox said she wants to see Utah donations beat Colorado’s totals, saying “if it’s a competition between Utah and Colorado, my money’s on us.”

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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

How Utah’s booming tourism industry and the pending 2034 Olympics are reshaping the great outdoors Key takeaways from the 2026 Travel, Tourism, Outdoor & Olympics Roundtable

Utah’s outdoor industry is a $12 billion economic engine. However, as the state navigates the future of travel, recreation and the impending 2034 Winter Olympics, industry leaders are looking closely at how to sustainably manage growth, expand the state’s global perception, and foster a lifelong love of the outdoors for all. During Salt Lake Business Journal’s recent Travel, Tourism, Outdoor and Olympics Roundtable, local leaders and business innovators gathered to discuss the path forward. The full conversation can be found online. Here are the four main themes from the conversation: Showcasing Utah’s Year-Round Diversity While Utah’s reputation for winter sports and Red Rock country is well established, leaders emphasize the need to highlight the state’s diverse, year-round offerings — including new developments and still growing movements. “Visitors have a strong opinion of Utah as a great place for outdoor recreation. We’ve been known for the ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ for a long time. ... [But] something else that’s unique to Utah is we have the most dark sky places in the entire world. ... I think we’re becoming better known for our arts and culture ... to combine with our incredible landscapes.” — Dave Williams, associate managing director, Utah Office of Tourism “We’re super-excited to be adding surfing to the mix here, because it’s maybe the one thing that isn’t here yet, and it’s going to be an incredible world-class destination down in Washington [County] that we’re really stoked to be adding to the adventure mix. …” — Jenna Timinsky, director of operations, American Wave Machines “... I think our greatest asset that we have here is something that we don’t really have control over, and that’s our proximity. Everything is so close, and you can be in the city and go ski during the day, be back downtown, and go to a Mammoth game, Jazz game, opera, ballet.” — Ryan

Dave Williams

of Utah here to help people get out on a Tetra Ski. …” — Carly Lansche “... What that does for kids, just happiness, their involvement, their satisfaction in life, when they can pick up a bow. ... Every kid puts a smile on their face. ... It gets their confidence up, it gets them knowing that they’re good at something.” — Tyson Yates, vice president of sales, Easton Technical Products “... It is a big hurdle of entry for kids [to buy outdoor gear], but at the same time ... it feels better to spend money on that than it does on other aspects of life. ... It also just adds value to your life on the activity, specific to spending your money elsewhere.” — Pitt Grewe

Roundtable participants included (back row from left to right) Marc Bryson, Pitt Grewe, Paul Johnson, Jake Thomas, Tim Schade, Dave Williams, (front row from left to right) Dusty Heyrend, Tyson Yates, Ryan Mack, Jenna Timinsky and Carly Lansche. (Rebecca Olds/Salt Lake Business Journal) Mack, chief communications and experience officer, Sports Salt Lake Digital Stewardship and Preserving the Outdoor Experience With apps and social media making it easier than ever to discover remote locations, a major point of discussion centered on managing crowd expectations, infrastructure and responsible recreation. “We live in a world of digital stewardship, right? And it’s kind of new terrain. ... How many people are using our app to discover places and to drive them places? ... We don’t control how they behave, but can we do things to help influence behavior in that process?” — Pitt Grewe, head of social and environmental impact, AllTrails “We have a whole Utah Forever initiative that’s all about encouraging people to come prepared when they travel to have the right footwear, have plenty of water ... but also don’t litter, take care of the trail, don’t deface the pictographs ... trying to help people come have the best experience possible. …” — Dave Williams

Jenna Timinsky

Dusty Heyrend

“If you can get out the door and access that recreation close, close to you, it really enhances that quality of life, and just connects you to our wonderful, wonderful landscape. …” — Carly Lansche, Trails & Planning Program director, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Engaging the Next Generation and Accessible Recreation Ensuring that the outdoors are accessible to everyone — from young children to individuals with mobility limitations — is a vital step in maintaining the health of the industry and the local community. “I love the idea of the ‘8 to 80’ design. You’re designing for ages 8 all the way to ages of 80, and I think the motorized world is so accessible for people to all hop on the same vehicle. ... Utah really is a leader in terms of accessible outdoor recreation for people with spinal cord injuries or some sort of paraplegic mobility limitation, and we have some really incredible, groundbreaking technology that came out of the University

Ryan Mack

Jake Thomas

Pitt Grewe

Marc Bryson

The 2034 Olympics: Elevating Tourism and Local Manufacturing The return of the Winter Olympics in 2034 presents an unprecedented opportunity not just for tourism, but to cement Utah’s reputation as a global hub for outdoor product manufacturing. “I think the Olympics will provide this awareness and elevation of the destination to get more people aware of who we are, what we do, and hopefully come visit us. ... We don’t have to build anything, so all the infrastructure is here. ... I think that leaves the door open for ... highlighting manufacturers [and] helping local companies. …” — Ryan Mack “To me, there’s an opportunity with the Olympics to just raise awareness. ... I think it’d be really cool to highlight Utah’s manufacturing contribution to Olympic medals, to Olympic equipment. We are for tourism, but we’re also a manufacturing hub, and really known in the outdoor industry. …” — Tyson Yates ... I think it would be important to let the outdoor industry know that if they are an outdoor products company, and they want their people to be able to enjoy the outdoors and be able to do marketing videos in their backyard ... come to Salt Lake. ... I’d like more outdoor companies to come to Utah.” — Dusty Heyrend, product and brand enablement lead, Magnum Bikes

Carly Lansche

Paul Johnson

Tyson Yates

Tim Schade

June 15, 2026 | 9

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

DOWN to TO BUSINESS Down Business Diana and I find ourselves halfway through Season 3 of the dystopian alternate history series “The Man in the High Castle” on Netflix. Originally produced by Amazon Prime (2015-2019) and now available on both platforms, the serialized drama explores a world where Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan won World War II and split the United States between them. The Japanese rule the West Coast (Japanese Pacific States) from headquarters in San Francisco with the brutal Kempeitai enforcing the strict social codes left over from the war years. And, of course, the SS lives up to its barbaric reputation in the American Reich, ruled from massive headquarters in New York City. (A Nazi A-bomb has wiped out D.C.) Utah sits smack in the middle of the wild and lawless “Neutral Zone” — composed of the old Mountain and Prairie states. The protagonists — mostly operators within the resistance in both imaginary countries — zoom between harrowing near-death adventures battling old enemies of the extinct United States. But of course, both the Nazis and the Japanese have utopian dreams for their new satellite states. The Nazis are after a racially pure and technologically advanced worldwide reign (with the pesky Japanese in the way), while the Japanese pursue spiritual agrarian world dominance. As the hard-hearted rulers of the new North America battle each other — and the resistance — for an opportunity to create

Welcome to Cox-topia

their new dream worlds, I find myself wondering just what Utopia would look like in our day and in our state. What would make Utah the JOHN long-sought ShanROGERS gri-la? Perhaps some of these idyllic objectives would include:

A Gangbuster Economy: “We are the best economy in the country and that’s not just your governor bragging; that’s what the data says.” — Gov. Spencer Cox on Feb. 1, 2023, during the “What’s Up Down South” economic summit in St. George. All the Electricity We Can Use: “Through Operation Gigawatt, Utah is ensuring the energy abundance needed to power new industries, strengthen national security and keep Utah the best place to live, work and raise a family. It puts us on a path to double our energy capacity, ensuring that when Utahns flip the switch, the lights always come on.” — Cox on Oct. 8, 2024, at the One Utah Summit in Cedar City. Really Bright Kids: “There’s such a demand for STEM. These are high-paying jobs, great jobs. We want our kids and grandkids to stay here,

Utah-based Café Rio names Mike Burns new CEO

Fast-casual restaurant brand Café Rio has named restaurant industry operations veteran Mike Burns as its new CEO. Burns comes to Café Rio from Latitude Food Group of Maitland, Florida, parent company of &pizza and Tijuana Flats, where he was also CEO. He previously worked as chief operating officer at Rave Restaurant Group and spent time earlier in his career with Pei Wei Asian Kitchen and Bojangles. Café Rio Fresh Modern Mexican was founded by Steve and Patricia Stanley with a single store St. George in 1997. It now has more than 160 locations, mostly concentrated in Utah, Arizona and California, with additional stores in Idaho, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, Maryland and Virginia. The company is now primarily owned by private investment firm Freeman Spogli & Co. and is headquartered in Salt Lake City. “Mike brings exactly the kind of leadership Café Rio needs for this next chapter,” said Christian Johnson, a partner at Freeman Spogli. “He has built a reputation as one of the most effective leaders in fast-casual and has an uncanny ability to align teams around a clear vision and translate that vision into operational ex-

cellence and meaningful results. We’re excited to welcome Mike as Café Rio’s new chief executive officer and are confident and excited on the opportunities ahead with him at the helm.” “I’ve been watching Café Rio for a long time — and eating my way through plenty of sweet pork in the process — so to say I’m thrilled to join as its next CEO is very much an understatement,” said Burns. “Café Rio didn’t build this kind of following by blending in. For nearly 30 years, this brand has led with freshness, quality and authentic Mexican food people flat-out crave. We’re done being quiet. We’re going to bring the energy back, make some noise and put Café Rio firmly back where it belongs — leading the conversation instead of just being part of it.” Café Rio takes its menu inspiration from Mexico’s Northern Rio Grande region, as well as from southern Texas and New Mexico. Its credo promises fresh ingredients and customizable meals. Freeman Spogli is a private equity firm with over $6 billion of private equity capital in 72 companies and add-on acquisitions with an aggregate transaction value of $32 billion. It has offices in Los Angeles and New York.

and get these opportunities — robotics, science, technology, engineering, math — I mean, all of these things we’re doing right now, are going to have a huge impact on the future of our state. We’re not just solving Utah’s problems anymore. We’re solving the world’s problems, and we’re doing it right here.” — Cox during “Week of STEM,” November 2023. A Lot of Affordable Housing: “We’re going to build 35,000 starter homes over the next five years. We’re going to do that ... We’re going to make it happen. The Greatest Generation did this after World War II. We can do it again.” — Cox announcing his “Utah First Homes” initiative in late 2023. Our Own Source of Rare Earth Minerals: “[This is] a huge win for Utah and the nation. These new critical mineral reserves will strengthen Operation Gigawatt and give America a secure, homegrown supply of the resources that power defense tech, AI and advanced manufacturing.” Cox in a Facebook post on Dec. 11, 2025, on the discovery of Utah deposits of rare earth minerals. Our Very Own “Nuclear Hub”: “We have a simple goal: to build the safest, most complete nuclear energy ecosystem in the country, right here in the state of Utah. We must build. We can build. We

have a will to build.” — Cox on March 27, 2026, during a press conference in a remote area of northwest Tooele County, announcing Utah’s goal to host a “nuclear lifecycle innovation campus.” And Do All This While Playing Nice Together: “You can have relationships with people that you disagree with. We’ve been told a false set of choices here — you can’t like someone that you disagree with. That’s just not true. We can disagree without hating each other.” — Cox announcing his “Disagree Better: Healthy Conflict for Better Policy” initiative on July 14, 2023, during the closing session of the National Governors Association (NGA) Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, while he was chair of the organization. Wow, that’s quite a wish list. I think I’ll pass it on to Obergruppenführer John Smith as he lays out the architectural scheme for the American Reich. If all this all comes to fruition over the next couple of decades, Utah really will be Utopia for my kids, grandkids and yours. If not, maybe we’ll see you downstream in Newsom-topia. John Rogers is a 50-year veteran of Utah media. He retired as managing editor of the Salt Lake Business Journal in 2025 and is now a part-time contributor to the paper. He can be reached at john.r@ thecityjournals.com.

10 | June 15, 2026

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

NEWS ROUNDUP News Roundup Mosman named CEO of UofU startup NanoKar Therapeutics NanoKar Therapeutics, an early-stage biotechnology company based in Salt Lake City, has announced the appointment of Craig Mosman as CEO. Mosman will lead NanoKar as it begins operations as a spinoff startup of research from the University of Utah laboratory of Matt Bettini. His responsibilities will include building the evidence, relationships and development path toward commercialization of the company’s CAR-T cell therapy and obtaining biopharmaceutical partners. “I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to work closely with scientific discoveries at the point where they begin to move from possibility to application,” Mosman said. “Dr. Bettini and his team have developed a compelling platform and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help advance his work toward practical

and rapid integration into existing and next-generation CAR-T programs. The goal is to give this discovery the strongest possible path to reach more patients over time.” Mosman brings experience across biotechnology, genomics, molecular biology, global health, law and entrepreneurship, with a track record of advancing early-stage technologies through strategic partnerships. Before NanoKar, he co-founded Seek Labs, where he held senior leadership roles spanning business development, legal affairs, intellectual property strategy and strategic collaborations. “Craig’s experience sits precisely at the intersection of science and strategic execution,” said Bettini. “His ability to position emerging platforms for partnership makes him uniquely suited to lead NanoKar at this stage.”

W.W. Clyde buys southeast Arizona contractor

W.W. Clyde & Co., a subsidiary of Orem-based Clyde Companies Inc., has acquired CKC Construction & Materials of Safford, Arizona. Clyde said the integration with CKC expands W.W. Clyde’s portfolio of operations, introducing new expertise and extending reach to communities throughout southeast Arizona. “CKC is a legacy family company, similar to W.W. Clyde, and we are proud to add their legacy of building better communities to ours in southeast Arizona,” said Dustin Olson, president of W.W. Clyde. CKC provides services in asphalt paving, earthwork and grading, concrete, drainage and materials supply. Significant

projects they have worked on include the Freeport-McMoRan Safford and Morenci Mines, the Thatcher 8th Street Project and the Safford Mine Reclamation Plan. The company regularly works with the Arizona Department of Transportation, providing cold mix products and delivery services. “We are proud to join W.W. Clyde, a company that has been providing construction services throughout the Intermountain West for 100 years,” said David Cluff, president of CKC Construction. “Our employees and customers are in good hands as this transition moves forward.” CKC Construction will transition to the W.W. Clyde brand and continue to provide materials and construction services throughout Arizona.

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Bank of Utah PGA event tickets now on sale Tickets are now on sale for the PGA Tour’s Bank of Utah Championship at the Black Desert Resort in Ivins. This will be the third year that Black Desert has hosted a tournament on the PGA’s fall schedule. Golfers will play Oct. 1-4 across the challenging layout that is surrounded by Utah’s trademark red rock canyons. Last year, 23-year-old Michael Brennan turned a sponsor exemption into a four-shot victory in his first professional start on tour — one of the most memorable breakthroughs in recent memory. A year earlier, Matt McCarty captured the tournament’s inaugural title at 23-under, winning by three shots in what was also just his third career start on tour. With two champions who announced themselves to the world on this stage, all eyes turn to who will write the next chapter in 2026.

“We are thrilled to bring the PGA Tour back to Black Desert Resort for another unforgettable week of world-class golf,” said Ashley Dove, executive director of the Bank of Utah Championship. “With ticket options for every type of fan, spectators will have the chance to watch some of the game’s best compete on one of the most visually stunning venues in professional golf. There is simply no other backdrop quite like Southern Utah’s red rock landscape.” Added Branden Hansen, president of Bank of Utah: “One of the things that makes this championship so special is the way it brings together championship golf, unforgettable experiences and the spirit of Utah. As tickets go on sale, we invite fans to join us this October and experience the excitement firsthand.” Ticket information is available at www. bankofutahchampionship.com.

Private sector adds 122,000 jobs in May, above expectations

Companies in the private sector added 122,000 jobs in May, payroll processing firm ADP said in its latest report. The figure is above economists’ estimates of a gain of 117,000 jobs. The prior month’s payrolls number was revised lower to a gain of 105,000 from an initially reported rise of 109,000. Large businesses — those with 500 or more employees — gained 40,000 jobs in May. Businesses with 50 to 499 employees gained 17,000 workers. Establishments with fewer than 50 employees gained 67,000 jobs. ]“Hiring was more broad-based in May than we’ve seen in the last few years,” ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said in a report. “The labor market con-

tinues to show sustained momentum going into the summer hiring season.” ]“The ADP jobs report for May surprised to the upside with 122,000 private-sector job gains, the most since January 2025,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. “While healthcare made up nearly half of the jobs, there were increases in almost every industry. It’s a much better picture for job seekers this summer than last year. The most encouraging news of all is that over half of the job gains were at smaller firms. Small businesses were the first to cut back last year, especially after sweeping tariffs went into effect. The fact they are hiring now is a vote of confidence in the economy.”

Now

OPEN A new feature in the Salt Lake Business Journal is this list of new businesses that have opened or plan to open shortly in our area. Eyebot and The Framery at 1-800 Contacts have opened Eyebot kiosks at Layton Hills Mall and Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, giving visitors a new way to complete a vision test, receive a doctor-reviewed glasses prescription, and shop for eyewear from The Framery. A user walks up to the kiosk and uses Eyebot to complete a short intake and a series of tests. The system collects key measurements and securely sends the data to a licensed eye doctor for review. From there, the prescription is reviewed and written by the doctor and delivered shortly after, when eligible. There is always an assistant accompanying the kiosk to help users through the test if needed.

Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, has opened its first Utah location at 2093 W. Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Valley Grove. Owners are the father-son team of Michael and Rylan Mills. They make up half of their franchise group, MV&R Legacy Partners LLC, alongside their sons-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tommy Richardson and Trent Valentine. The group has agreed to bring The Chick’s Southern‑inspired menu and hospitality westward, with plans to develop six restaurants in Utah County and another seven in Arizona, which Richardson and Valentine will oversee starting next year.

Want to see your business reported here? Send news or a release to nowopen@ slbusinessjournal.com.

June 15, 2026 | 11

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

NEWS ROUNDUP News Roundup Summer Games forms new partnership with Intermountain Health Intermountain Health and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, an outreach department of Southern Utah University, have announced a new partnership that will position Intermountain as the Official Health Partner and Medical Provider of the Games, strengthening support for athletes while advancing health, wellness and community impact across Southern Utah. As part of the partnership, Intermountain will serve in a lead health role for the Games and provide on-site athletic training and sports medicine support to help keep athletes safe, supported, and performing at their best throughout the event. “This partnership reflects our commitment to showing up in meaningful ways for the communities we serve,” Jamison Robinett, president of Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital, said in a release. “Through this collaboration, Intermountain Health is extending our mission to serve more people by expanding in ways that help individuals live the healthiest lives possible.

The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games is a long-standing and important part of this community, and we are proud to support its athletes, families and organizers in a shared commitment to health, wellness and opportunity for all.” Jon Oglesby, director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, said, “We are excited to welcome Intermountain Health in this expanded role with the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. Their support helps strengthen the athlete experience and reinforces our shared belief in the power of sport to improve lives, build community, and create lasting impact.” The 2026 Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games marks the organization’s 40th anniversary which began on June 5 and has events through the end of the month. The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games centers its program on “impact and opportunity through sports,” a theme that aligns closely with Intermountain’s mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible.

Massachusetts firm acquires SLC-based LocumsCollective Barton Associates Inc., a locum tenens staffing and workforce solutions organization based in Peabody, Massachusetts, has acquired LocumsCollective, a Salt Lake City-based managed service provider serving the locum tenens industry. Locum tenens is a term for temporary staffing solutions, generally applied to the healthcare industry. Barton Associates said the acquisition represents a meaningful expansion of its workforce solutions platform and continued evolution from a locum tenens staffing company into a broader workforce solutions provider. “LocumsCollective adds a differentiated, outcomes-focused managed service provider model designed to help healthcare organizations access and manage locum tenens talent more effectively,” Barton said in a release. “LocumsCollective strengthens our platform, broadens our capabilities and gives us an opportunity to help shape the future of locum tenens workforce solutions,” said April Hansen, CEO of Barton Associates. “As a

company grounded in healthcare staffing and committed to supporting patient care, we believe the next generation of workforce solutions must be defined by quality, transparency and measurable value for every stakeholder in the care delivery process.” LocumsCollective will continue to be led by founder Matt Bennett, who will serve as president of the Utah subsidiary. “LocumsCollective was built around a simple belief: Clients, agencies and providers can work together better,” said Bennett. “Barton shares that belief and brings the scale, resources, technology and operational depth to help us grow while staying true to the principles that have guided LocumsCollective from the beginning.” Founded in 2001, Barton Associates has more than 25 years of experience supporting hospitals, health systems, private practices and clinics nationwide. Barton connects healthcare organizations with physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, certified registered nurse anesthetists, dentists and other licensed professionals across a broad range of specialties.

Keleghan tabbed to lead Sorenson Communications Sorenson Communications of Salt Lake City has announced the appointment of Kevin Keleghan as CEO. He succeeds Paget Alves, who will remain chairman of the board and transition his CEO responsibilities to Keleghan over the coming weeks. “The board determined the time was right to appoint a new leader to further develop and execute the company’s strategy in the years ahead,” Sorenson’s announcement said. “They identified Keleghan as a successor who is deeply aligned with the company’s mission, values and dedication to delivering exceptional experiences.” Keleghan brings experience leading global public and private organizations, with an expertise in tech-enabled services. Most recently, he served as CEO of New Era Technology, an AI, application and infrastructure technology partner, and previously was CEO of OSG, a global provider of customer engagement and payment solutions.

“We are grateful to Paget for his partnership and the progress achieved at Sorenson under his leadership,” said Yue Bonnet, senior managing director and head of investments of Ariel Alternatives, which holds a majority stake in Sorenson. “Kevin brings valuable experience to scale complex organizations as the company enters its next chapter of growth.” Ariel Alternatives LLC is a private asset management firm affiliated with Ariel Investments LLC of Chicago. As a leading language services provider, Sorenson combines patented technology with sign language interpreters to deliver communication for deaf, deaf and blind, and hard-of-hearing communities. Sorenson’s AI sign language translation capabilities enable real-time communication between users of sign languages and users of spoken languages in everyday interactions where an interpreter may not be available.

Nexus IT acquires Salt Lake City’s TecServ Inc. Salt Lake City-based Nexus IT, a provider of managed IT, cloud, cybersecurity and compliance services, has acquired TecServ Inc., an industrial technology services firm also based in Salt Lake City. The deal marks Nexus IT’s 11th acquisition and signals an expansion of the company’s platform into industrial technology and operational technology services. “TecServ Inc brings a long-standing reputation for showing up, knowing the craft and standing behind the work,” Nexus IT said in announcing the deal. “That culture, built on decades of combined industrial technology expertise, rapid response, vendor-neutral guidance and long-term client partnerships, will be integrated into Nexus IT’s national platform.” “TecServ is a strong strategic fit for Nexus IT as we continue building a national platform focused on healthcare, financial services, life sciences and other regulated industries,” said Earl Foote, founder and CEO of Nexus IT. “Their

team brings deep technical talent, strong client relationships and a shared commitment to delivering a high-touch client experience. This acquisition further strengthens our headquarters operations in Utah.” “Partnering with Nexus IT represents an exciting next chapter for TecServ and our clients,” said Charles Vanausdal, CEO of TecServ Inc. “From the very beginning, it was clear there was strong alignment in values, culture and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service. This partnership allows us to expand our capabilities, deepen our bench and continue supporting our clients with the same local focus and personal approach they trust — now backed by the scale, resources and expertise of a premier organization. We’re confident this is the right strategic step to support long-term growth while preserving what makes TecServ special.” Foote said the acquisition was made possible by a $60 million growth facility from Metropolitan Partners Group, a New York City investment firm.

12 | June 15, 2026

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

INDUSTRY BRIEFS Industry Briefs Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.

ADVISORY

• Crisis communications advisor Tim Brown is expanding access to direct executive advisory engagements with CEOs, boards and senior leaders facing high-stakes reputational and organizational challenges. The action comes after Brown launched his executive crisis response system earlier this year. Brown, CEO of Candid Communications, has spent 43 years advising leaders. His advisory engagements focus on decision-making, message development, stakeholder strategy, executive visibility, media preparedness, and response planning tailored to the organization’s circumstances.

CONTESTS

• Applications are being accepted until June 17 for the Utah Regional Competition of Startup World Cup. Silicon Slopes is bringing the competition to its StartFEST event, taking place June 23-24. The world’s largest startup pitch competition, hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures, has more than 100 regional events across six continents. Selected founders will pitch live at StartFEST in front of investors and the crowd. The winner advances to the grand finale in San Francisco, where regional champions from around the world compete for a $1 million investment prize. Details are at https://www. startupworldcup.io/utah-usa-2026.

CORPORATE

• SINTX Technologies Inc., a Salt Lake City-based ceramics company that develops, manufactures and commercializes silicon nitride biomaterials, composites, devices and related technologies for medical and other high-value applications, has entered into securities purchase agreements with institutional and accredited investors pursuant to which the company agreed to issue and sell a total of 1.88 million shares of common stock in a private placement priced atthe-market under Nasdaq rules. The company also issued to the investors Class A common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to a total of 1.88 million shares of common stock and Class B common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to the same number of shares of common stock. The warrants were exercisable immediately at an exercise price of $2.14 per share. The Class A warrants expire five years from the date of issuance and the Class B Warrants expire two years from the date of issuance. The combined effective offering price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrants to be issued is $2.39. The aggregate gross proceeds to the company from the private placement were $4.5 million before deducting fees and other offering expenses. Together with a previously completed $500,000 purchase of the company’s common stock through its at-the-market offering program, the company has raised approximately $5 million of equity capital in recent weeks. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, commercialization activities, business development initiatives and other strategic opportunities.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

• An estimated 21,216 Utahns last year rejected offered job promotions, according to a survey by Careerminds, a global outplacement and career development firm. That equates to 23 percent. The promotion-turndown level was highest in Nevada, at 54 percent. The lowest was in Iowa, at 5 percent. Details are at https://careerminds. com/blog/workers-refuse-promotions. • The Salt Lake City office of U.S. Citi-

zenship and Immigration Services in 2025 reached record levels of family green card completions, but pending cases also hit a high, according to a new analysis on behalf of Manifest Law. The pending family green card backlog in Salt Lake City’s field office ranked No. 46 nationally with 3,517 pending family-based green card applications. The approval rate was 70.9 percent. Nationally, pending family-based green card applications totaled 543,486 in 2025, the highest level on record and up 180 percent since 2015. Completions reached 433,071. Application denials reached 62,389 in fiscal year 2025, an increase of 101 percent during the same 10-year span. Details are at https:// manifestlaw.com/blog/us-cities-approvingthe-most-family-green-cards/. • Utah is ranked No. 13 on a list of “most educated states,” compiled by Business Insider and using Census Bureau data. It ranked states by the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Utah’s share is 39.1 percent. The highest share is 48.3 percent in Massachusetts. The lowest is 24.4 percent in West Virginia.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• The University of Utah is accepting students for this fall for its new undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts/Science) in neuroscience. The degree program is jointly seated in the Department of Psychology in the College of Social and Behavioral Science, and the School of Biological Sciences in the College of Science. Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. Both the School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Psychology have long offered neuroscience-related courses. The new degree’s curriculum rests on three interconnected pillars: biology; psychology; and quantitative methods, mathematical modeling and data science.

GOVERNMENT

• CGI, a technology and professional services firm, has launched a modern, integrated SaaS-based human capital management and payroll platform for the state of Utah, advancing the state’s efforts to modernize its workforce systems and improve operational efficiency. The implementation replaces a fragmented legacy HR and payroll environment with the CGI Advantage SaaS HCM solution, integrated with the state’s existing CGI Advantage financial management solution. The consolidation aims to improve payroll accuracy; stronger compliance and reporting; and enhanced tools for recruiting, onboarding and employee retention. The new system also hopes to improve the experience for Utah state agencies and employees, with agencies benefiting from better insight into staffing, budgets and workforce costs, while employees gain access to intuitive self-service tools, mobile capabilities, streamlined onboarding processes, and more reliable payroll and leave management. Founded in 1976, CGI has 94,000 consultants and professionals worldwide.

HEALTHCARE

• SPARC Health is accepting applications until June 20 for its SPARC Health 2026 Cohort No. 2. The summer/fall cohort is for people building a healthcare or life science company and are ready to accelerate. The cohort will get a 10-module curriculum across 20 hours of expert-led programming; direct mentorship from Utah’s top healthcare ecosystem leaders; strategic support across product, fundraising, IP, brand and team culture; and community through ongoing Startup Huddle events. Applications are available at https://lnkd.in/g68UG25x.

INSURANCE

• Buckner, a Salt Lake City-based insur-

ance brokerage firm, has opened its eighth office location, in St. George. Jameson Carr, a native of the city, will help lead its expansion efforts in Southern Utah. Buckner noted that the office will serve as a foundational presence for the company in the region, with plans for additional expansion and a larger long-term footprint in Southern Utah already underway. Buckner provides insurance, employee benefits, bonds, and risk management solutions to businesses and individuals throughout the western United States. It operates eight offices across Utah, Idaho and Colorado and has more than $50 million in annual revenue.

INVESTMENTS

• NanoKar Therapeutics, an early-stage biotechnology company developing intracellular signaling optimization technology for CAR-T-based cell therapies, has been awarded funding from the University of Utah Launchpad Seed Fund to support continued development of the company’s next-generation CAR-T cell therapy platform. The amount was not disclosed. The Launchpad Seed Fund, administered through the Utah Venture Hub at the University of Utah Technology Licensing Office, provides early-stage capital to promising startups emerging from the university ecosystem, helping accelerate development and commercialization.

MILESTONES

• NView Medical, a Salt Lake Citybased company developing AI-enabled imaging and navigation systems for surgery, has announced that its nView s1 system has surpassed 1,000 surgeries. The system is designed to provide surgeons with 3D imaging from one or two stationary C-arm positions, without requiring a rotational spin around the patient. By integrating 3D imaging, navigation and advanced reconstruction technology into a single platform, nView enables efficient access to 3D information within established surgical workflows.

NONPROFITS

• The RipLine Foundation Inc., a Park City-based nonprofit, has committed to provide 1 million meals for children in need in its first year of fundraising. The foundation, created late last year by a six-member founding board of Park City business leaders and outdoor athletes, has issued a national challenge to America’s 168 million outdoor athletes, adventurers and enthusiasts to use their activities to help fight childhood hunger. The foundation has a 2030 target of 4 million meals and 1 million children nourished. All contributions go to vetted giving partners — No Kid Hungry, Feeding America, Feed the Children and Vitamin Angels. The first challenge of 2026, “Miles in the Wild,” runs through Sept. 15. Details are at riplinefoundation.org.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Intermountain Health and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, an outreach department of Southern Utah University, recently announced a partnership that positions Intermountain as the “Official Health Partner and Medical Provider of the Games.” As part of the partnership, Intermountain is serving in a lead health role for the Games and is providing on-site athletic training and sports medicine support to help keep athletes safe, supported, and performing at their best throughout the event. The 2026 edition of the Games began June 5 and will continue through June 27.

PHILANTHROPY

• Chartway Credit Union, based in Virginia and serving members in Utah, Texas and Virginia, recently announced that the

Chartway Promise Foundation wrapped up a weeklong series of celebratory and fundraising events dedicated to delivering joy, hope and smiles to medically fragile children and their families across Utah. Through a strategic partnership with MakeA-Wish Utah, the events included a special guest appearance by National Football League and Utah football legend Luther Elliss, the reveal of the Chartway Arcade Zone at Make-A-Wish Utah’s facility in Murray, and granting the wishes of a lifetime to two children. A “Night for Joy” event at the University of Utah featured Elliss surprising an 18-year-old congenital heart disease patient with the news that he will soon meet his favorite NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles; the 10th annual “Putting for Promises” golf tournament at Stonebridge Golf Club in West Valley City; a team member connection event at Topgolf in Salt Lake City featuring an 11-year-old congenital heart disease patient who learned that he will get his wish for an Alaskan fishing trip; and an event in Murray in which included the reveal of the Chartway-funded Chartway Arcade Zone at MAW Utah’s Wishing Place. • Smithfield Foods employees in Salt Lake City recently volunteered with Operation Homefront at a transitional apartment complex for veterans, helping prepare meal kits for military families beginning their next chapter. The team packed several meal kits for the veteran families living in the apartment complex, as well as other military and veteran families in the surrounding community. Following the volunteer activity, Smithfield team members delivered the meal kits and spent time showing their gratitude and appreciation to the veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. These efforts are part of Smithfield’s broader partnership with Operation Homefront and $150,000 contribution to support military and veteran families as they transition to civilian life. Operation Homefront’s Transitional Homes for Veterans program provides rent- and utility-free housing along with financial counseling and employment support, helping families build stability and long-term independence. • The Crewe Cup Foundation, a Salt Lake City-based charitable organization dedicated to expanding access to golf through scholarships, grassroots programming and strategic partnerships, has launched a national initiative designed to ensure that economic pressures never determine whether a young person has access to golf and its opportunities. The new initiative expects to benefit about 5,000 families in 2026 alone. The foundation’s initiative will fund playing opportunities for youth across the United States who want to participate in golf but face financial constraints, while also creating structured grassroots programs to introduce the game to students who may never otherwise be exposed to it. The initiative is supported by a coalition of partners committed to expanding access to the game, including Bentley Motors, Miura Golf, Ghurka, Leisure Society, Smith Luxe, Holderness & Bourne, Vessel and Asher.

RECOGNITIONS

• Radio station KUER has announced that News Director Elaine Clark has been named the 2026 Editor of the Year by the Public Media Journalists Association. This award honors the role editors play in shaping the voice and direction of public media. Among the stories that Clark guided in 2025 was a June shooting and killing of a bystander during a “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Salt Lake City, and the subsequent legal case, plus the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk in Orem.

June 15, 2026 | 13

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

PEOPLE on ON THE People the MOVE Move Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.

ADVISORY

• Advanced Consulting Solutions (ACS) Group, a Las Vegas-based fire protection engineering and life safety consultancy, has appointed Sean Miller as regional director of ACS Group Utah. He has extensive research, leadership and strategic positioning experience and has been inSean Miller strumental in supporting ACS Group’s presence in the region, helping to build client relationships and deliver fire protection and life safety solutions across a range of industries. Miller brings more than 15 years of experience as a fire protection and life safety consultant, specializing in system design, consulting and code compliance. His work spans industrial, data centers, higher education, life sciences, mixed-use and healthcare sectors.

ASSOCIATIONS

• BioHive, which builds, brands and brings together Utah’s life sciences and healthcare innovation community, has announced that Michaela Hatch will serve as the next president of the Women in Tech & Science (WITS) community. Hatch is a senior scientist at Recursion and has served as a WITS officer. Her background is in vascular health but her work now affects patients across many disease areas. She has led programs in fibrosis, vascular biology, C. difficile and oncology, and has helped develop treatments. She also co-founded the Women at Recursion ERG (employee resource group) to help build women’s confidence within the company.

BANKING

• Zions Bancorporation NA, a Salt Lake City-based company that operates banks in 11 western states, has announced the election of Daniel J. Ryan to its board of directors. Ryan is a retired PwC partner and former banking and capital markets leader with more Daniel J. Ryan than 40 years of experience serving U.S. public banks and complex global financial institutions. He held senior leadership roles across PwC’s Audit and Financial Services Consulting practices. During his career, Ryan has advised boards of directors and senior executives on governance, risk management, regulatory engagement, financial reporting, internal controls, and technology and cybersecurity risk. He

also led or participated in more than 25 board, audit committee, and risk committee effectiveness reviews for large and regional U.S. banks. • Bank of Utah, based in Ogden, has appointed Aubrey Chapman as banking manager of its Brigham City branch. She will lead daily branch operations and support clients with their accounts, transactions and everyday banking needs while supporting the branch’s continued growth and Aubrey community presence. Chapman Chapman has six years of experience in the finance industry, including roles at America First Credit Union and Wells Fargo.

DEFENSE

• Gov. Spencer Cox has selected Col. Michael D. Kjar as the next adjutant general of the Utah National Guard. Kjar succeeds Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack, who has been nominated by the Executive Leadership Advisory Board and approved by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Michael D. Kjar Staff for a national-level position as the National Guard advisor to the commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. Kjar has more than 30 years of military leadership and public service. He enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1995 and received a direct commission as a field artillery officer in the Utah Army National Guard in 2003. A combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kjar deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, and has served in a range of command and staff positions, including recruiting and retention battalion commander, Commander’s Action Group director, Regional Training Institute commander, and Utah Army National Guard chief of staff. Kjar graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor of arts degree in communications, earned a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University, and completed a Master of Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College in 2024.

HEALTHCARE

• Sera Prognostics Inc., a Salt Lake City-based company focused on improving maternal and neonatal health by providing innovative pregnancy biomarker information to doctors and patients, has announced that Jeff Elliott has notified the company of his intention to step down from its board of directors. It was effective June 4. He also will not stand for

re-election. Elliott has served on Sera’s board since March 2025.

MANUFACTURING

• Biomerics, a Salt Lake City-based contract manufacturer for the interventional medical device market, has appointed Liran Avigad Greiner as president of its international division. That role has been held for the past year by Chris Richardson, Biomerics’ chief Liran Avigad commercial officer, who Greiner had also been serving as the interim president of the division. Avigad Greiner will lead all of Biomerics’ Costa Rica-based operations as well as the associated commercial, engineering and project management teams for the division. • ATL Technology, a Springville-based designer, developer and manufacturer of medical devices, has named Rejena Buckley as chief operating officer. She will oversee global operations across ATL sites, including engineering, supply chain and advanced operations. Buckley has nearRejena Buckley ly 30 years of experience in operations management, engineering support, quality and continuous improvement across manufacturing organizations, including Ametek, Thermo Fisher, DuPont and Radwell International.

MEDIA/MARKETING

• Method Communications, a communications agency with co-headquarters in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, has appointed Meghan Gardner as executive vice president. Based in Portland, Oregon, Gardner has more than 20 years of integrated communications expeMeghan rience advising CEOs Gardner and C-suite leaders at complex technology companies across AI, data, infrastructure and B2B2C sectors. Throughout her career, Gardner has guided leadership teams through regulatory scrutiny, leadership transitions, IPOs and M&A. Gardner joins Method from Mission North, where she spent more than five years, most recently as executive vice president. Before Mission North, she served as vice president at Matter Communications and held senior roles at Alipes, Proper Villains, Version 2.0 Communications and Lewis PR. She also is a former automotive journalist.

PHILANTHROPY

• The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation has announced that Amanda Covington will expand her role to serve as executive director for Miller Family Philanthropy. The leadership transition takes place July 1 as Executive Director Don Stirling retires July Amanda 3. Covington currently Covington handles chief corporate affairs at the Larry H. Miller Co. She will work closely with foundation trustees and team, as well as the Miller family, to continue advancing the mission of enriching lives and strengthening communities. Stirling joined the Larry H. Miller Co. in 2012 before being named executive director of Miller Family Philanthropy in 2020. After his retirement, he will continue to support the foundation in an advisory capacity while also maintaining his role as a senior advisor to the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In addition to these roles, Stirling also currently serves as a trustee of Salt Lake Community College. Through strategic giving, cross-sector collaboration and long-term investments in initiatives that strengthen families and neighborhoods, Miller Family Philanthropy works to help communities thrive through the work of its entities the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Driven 2 Teach and Larry H. Miller Education Foundation.

REAL ESTATE

• Cole West, a privately held, Centerville-based real estate development company, has named Chris Winter as president of homebuilding. Winter previously served as division president for Cole West’s Southern Utah homebuilding operations. Winter will lead the company’s homebuilding iniChris Winter tiatives in Northern and Southern Utah. He has overseen the development of more than 1,400 homes throughout his tenure with Cole West. He joined the company in January 2021 after serving as the vice president of finance in Northern California for PulteGroup. He began his Lancaster Brown career in Sacramento as an audit professional for Ernst & Young. Succeeding Winter as division president of homebuilding in Southern Utah is Lancaster Brown. He previously served as vice president of construction operations for Cole West, which currently offers homes in 21 communities in Utah.

14 | June 15, 2026

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

CALENDAR Calendar Information about upcoming events may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.

June 15, 5-8 p.m.

“Portal Pours,” a Portal Innovations networking series hosted in partnership with BioHive and BioUtah and for science-driven innovators and entrepreneurs. Location is Drift Lounge at Woodbine, 545 W. 700 S., Suite 100, Salt Lake City. Free. Registration can be completed at Eventbrite.com.

June 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Vibe Code Club for Entrepreneurs,” a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Salt Lake SBDC at Salt Lake Community College. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc. org/events.aspx.

June 16, 3-7 p.m.

“Women in Ecom,” a Commerce Catalyst workshop focused on the fears, doubts and roadblocks that quietly hold back women in commerce. Location is Anata Building, 1657 N. State St., Lehi. After-workshop dinner takes place at Taqueria 27 in Lehi. Registration can be completed at https://luma.com/commerce-tin2.

June 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

“Build Your Custom AI Business Assistant, and Turbocharge Your Business,” a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Salt Lake SBDC at Salt Lake Community College. Cost is $59. Details are at https://clients. utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

June 17, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

June 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Lunch and Learn: Unlock More Capital,” a West Jordan Chamber of Commerce event. Presenter Mallory Santa Cruz, vice president at Morgan Stanley Chase, will discuss how understanding and building credit opens doors. Location is Legacy Retirement Center, 1617 Temple Lane, South Jordan. Details are at westjordanchamber.com.

June 17, noon-1 p.m.

“Swipe Smarter: A Mini Masterclass in Payment Processing,” a Women’s Business Center “Solve the Business Puzzle” event that takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.

June 17, noon-1 p.m.

“Australia: Exploring New Models of Global Clinical Trial Collaboration,” an Australian Trade and Investment Commission event, in association with BioUtah, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development. Panel will discuss the structure of Australia’s clinical trial ecosystem, highlighting its primary strengths and efficiencies, while also presenting opportunities for collaboration between stakeholders from the U.S. and Australia. Register to see address in Salt Lake City. Registration can be completed at https:// luma.com/am7lzwxb.

June 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Tax Planning Clinic, a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https:// clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

“Critical Ventures: Investing in National Security Materials,” presented by 47G, the Critical Minerals Institute, Utah Mining Association, Small Business Administration, Idaho National Lab, Park City Angels and the University of Utah for Critical Ventures to showcase the growing market demand and other key initiatives that are enabling the sector. Location available upon registration, which is available at Eventbrite.com.

June 17, 6-8 p.m.

June 17, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

June 18, 6-8 p.m.

Sports Tourism Symposium, a Sport Salt Lake event hosted by Miller Sports & Entertainment and bringing together municipalities, event organizers and hospitality partners to share ideas, explore trends, and collaborate on strategies that make communities stronger through sports. Location is America First Field, 9256 S. State St., Sandy. Cost is $40. Details to be announced at https:// www.visitsaltlake.com/sports/summit/.

June 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Business Boot Camp, a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Instructor Brandon Allen, founder of New Work Revolution, will discuss “Conflict Smart: Practical Tools for Teams, Clients and Lasting Respect.” Location is Salt Mine Productive Workspace, 7984 S. 1300 E., Sandy. Cost is $35 for members, $55 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.

June 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Business Alliance, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Boondocks Fun Center, 525 Deseret Drive, Kaysville. No RSVP needed. Free. Lunch available for purchase. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.

Marketing Clinic, a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

June 18, 9-10:30 a.m.

“Buzz, Build & Brew,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event. Location is The Neighborhood Hive, 2065 E. 2100 S., Salt Lake City. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org. June Networking Event, an Ember Women event. Location is Kiln, 1895 E. Rodeo Walk Drive, Suite B200, Holladay. Cost is $25. Details are at https:// www.ember-women.com/event-details/ ember-women-june-networking-event.

June 18, 6:30-8 p.m.

“How to Start a Business 101,” a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Orem/Provo SBDC at Utah Valley University. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

June 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

Annual Return-to-Work Networking Night, a Return Utah event in partnership with Recursion and connecting Utahns who have taken a career break with fellow returnees/mentors, resources for workforce reentry and employer partners. Location is Recursion, 41 S. 400 W., Salt Lake City. Free. Registration is required. Registration can be completed at Eventbrite.com.

June 19, 8:30-10 a.m.

“Friday Connections,” a ChamberWest event. Location is Utah Trucking Association, 4181 W. 2100 S., West Valley City. Cost is $5 for members, $10

for nonmembers. Details are at chamberwest.com.

June 23-24

StartFEST, a Silicon Slopes event. Location is Mountain America Event Center at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, 12033 S. Lone Peak Parkway, Draper. Cost is $50, with proceeds funding Start School, Silicon Slopes’ free entrepreneurship program. Details are at www.siliconslopes.com/events/.

June 23-25

“Travel, Gear & Adventure Show,” presented by the Travel Goods Association and bringing together top brands, innovators, retailers, creators, media and adventurers to explore the future of travel gear, outdoor equipment and adventurous experiences. Location is the Salt Palace Convention Center, 90 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Details are at https://travelgoods.org/ events/145338.

June 23, 10-11 a.m.

“Ready to Rise: USBCI Qualifications & Preparation,” presented by the Women’s Business Center of Utah and Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI) and focusing on how to access low-interest funding for a business. Class will review the requirements for qualifying for a USBCI loan, covering both federal and state underwriting guidelines. It will also provide a brief overview of the required documents and how to prepare to work with banks and lenders to successfully secure funding. Speakers are Jennifer Curtis, Governor’s Office of Economic Development USBCI consultant and loan processor, and Rafaela Eguiguren, GOED USBCI program specialist. Event takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.

June 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Women in Business, an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Speaker Anna Davidson of the Ogden City Police Department will discuss “Raising Your Voice for Others and Yourself.” Location is Jeremiah’s Lodge & Garden, 1329 W. 12th St., Marriott-Slaterville. Cost is $25 for members and first-time guests, $35 for nonmembers. Registration deadline is June 15 at noon. Details are at ogdenweberchamber.com.

June 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Women in Business Summer Social, a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Market Street Grill, 2985 E. Cottonwood Parkway, Cottonwood Heights. Cost is $23 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.

June 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Professional Development Series, a ChamberWest event. Speaker Shawn Richards, CEO and founder of Blue Sky Business Consulting, will discuss “Aligning Generations, Seizing Results: Embracing the Opportunity of a Multi-Generational Workforce.” Location is Hampton Inn West Jordan, 3923 W. Center Park Drive, West Jordan. Details are at chamberwest.com.

June 23, 2-3 p.m.

“The Most Important Conversation on Women’s Health,” an Ember Women event. Speaker Heather Darling of Fika Infusion will discuss hormones, perimenopause, menopause and the

many ways these changes impact energy, sleep, mood, focus, weight and overall well-being. Location is Kiln, 1895 E. Rodeo Walk Drive, Suite B200, Holladay. Cost is $35. Details are at https:// www.ember-women.com/event-details/ most-important-conversation-on-womens-health.

June 24, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Chamber Connections,” a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Davis Chamber of Commerce, 450 S. Simmons Way, Suite 220, Kaysville. Details are at davischamberofcommerce. com.

June 24, 3-5 p.m.

“Timberwood Creek: Hybrid Mass Timber Housing Tour,” providing an in-depth look at Timberwood Creek, a permanent supportive housing project in Layton, funded and developed by Davis Behavioral Health. The project features a hybrid structural system combining mass timber — including cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels and glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams — with light-frame wood walls and steel framing. Location is 850 S. Main St., Layton. Cost is $20. Participants are asked to bring their own PPE as limited quantities will be available on-site. Registration can be completed at Eventbrite.com.

June 24, 5-6 p.m.

Legal Workshop (in English and Spanish), a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Orem/Provo SBDC at Utah Valley University. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events. aspx.

June 24, 5-6:30 p.m.

“Connect After Hours,” a South Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Premier Pickleball Club, 5163 Denali Park Drive, Herriman. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Details are at southvalleychamber.com.

June 24, 6-7 p.m.

“Facebook/Instagram Ads: Create and Manage Ads Like a Pro,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https:// clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

June 25, 6-7 p.m.

Intellectual Property Clinic, a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https:// clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.

June 30-July 2

Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, featuring keynote addresses and panel discussions. Meeting will serve as the capstone of Gov. Spencer Cox’s WGA chair initiative titled “Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West,” which will officially conclude with the release of a special policy report featuring federal recommendations to bolster the nation’s energy production, transmission and storage. Location is Deer Valley. Details are at https://web. cvent.com/event/a59720f8-4416-4240bdc2-d21565203cf8/summary.

July 1, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Business Alliance, a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Boondocks Fun Center, 525 Deseret Drive, Kaysville. No RSVP needed. Free. Lunch available for purchase. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.

June 15, 2026 | 15

SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL

CAREERS

PUBLIC NOTICES

DATA SCIENTIST Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc. DBA Swire Coca-Cola, USA seeks a Data Scientist to conduct data science and advanced analytics for large manufacturing and retail company. Employ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques across all business channels, customer and consumer segments, markets and products. Pursue use cases to analyze and drive revenue, lower costs, increase speed, and reduce risk. Use Databricks to transform raw data into cognizable information. Use statistical analysis and advanced machine learning techniques to build descriptive, diagnostic and predictive models. Use ML Ops to deploy models. Use PowerBI for business reporting and dashboards to enable decision making. Evaluate implications of findings on business outcomes, and communicate and document work. Use Python and SQL to model real-world outcomes. Employ PySpark for distributed data processing on the Cloud. Use Agile methodology for continuous improvement and development. #LI-DNI Position requires a Master’s degree in Business Analytics or an equivalent field, and 2 years of experience as a Data Scientist. Proficiencies must include a minimum of: experience with Power BI; experience with Databricks; experience with Supervised and Unsupervised Machine Learning; experience with SQL; experience with Python; experience with PySpark; experience with Statistical Analysis; experience with Predictive Analysis; and experience with Agile Methodology. #LI-DNI Job location: Draper, UT.

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Bill Gates-b acked for site for Nanuclear energy firm loo king trium reactor in Utah

John Roge rs Salt Lake Busine ss Journal

TerraPower, in Bellevue, a nuclear energy develo pment compa Washington, Gates, is lookin ny based and backed plant in Utah. g for a spot to put a nucleaby billionaire Bill r power genera In late Augus ting t, the compa derstanding (MOU) with ny signed a memorandum opment (OED the Utah Office of un) and land the project. developer Flagsh of Energy Develip Cos. to According pursue to the MOU, search for a the three compa potential site nies will energy storag suitable for together the e plant. The nary list by goal is to come nuclear reactor and the end of the up with a prelim year. TerraPower i- This conce seeks to build pt drawing one of its Natriu of TerraPower’s reactor power m reactors generating Wyoming in the Kemmerer, is likely what station, currently under Natrium nuclear when built. the construction Utah’s Office company’s project see NATR near in Utah will memo of Energy IUM page look like Developmen 3 for randum of understandi t is signat the reactor. ng that launc (Photo courte hed the search ory to a sy TerraPower) for a site

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Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc. DBA Swire Coca-Cola, USA seeks a Web Applications Developer to develop, enhance and maintain company’s software using MS Azure Services in the Cloud. Create web-based applications using ASP.NET Core, C#, Web API,VB.net, HTML, CSS, Javascript, Blazor and Visual Studio. Create stored procedures, data tables, pipelines and interfaces using YAML, Cosmos DB and Azure SQL. Work with DevOps, Data Warehouse, and Data Governance teams to ensure that best solutions are created. Manage development needs to meet budget and timelines. Resolve reported issues related to IT development. Identify, prioritize, and manage to completion all assigned work using Agile/Scrum methodology. #LI-DNI Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or an equivalent field, and 2 years of experience in Software Development. Proficiencies must include a minimum of: experience with ASP.Net core; experience with C#; experience with Javascript; experience with VB.net; experience with Visual Studio; experience with Web API; experience with Docker; experience with MS Azure Services (Cloud, Portal, App, Configuration, DevOps, Blob Storage & Cosmos DB); experience with SQL; experience with HTML; experience with CSS; and experience with Agile. #LI-DNI Job location: Draper, UT. To apply, please visit https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/swirecc/CANDIDATE PORTAL and enter job requisition number 23692 when prompted. Alternatively, please send your resume, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Amber Ivie, 12634 South 265 West, Draper, UT 84020.

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