BUSINESS JOURNAL May 25, 2026 | Volume 4, Issue 20
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INSIDE SALT LAKE CITY AI task force launched Page 2 SANDY Jazz, Mammoth to build sports med center Page 5 LOGAN Main Street earns national accreditation Page 8
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Page 11 INDUSTRY BRIEFS Pages 12-13 BUSINESS CALENDAR Pages 14-15
OF NOTE
Provo-based customer experience platform Qualtrics has acquired Press Ganey Forsta, a global patient experience company based in South Bend, Indiana, for $6.75 billion. (Courtesy of Qualtrics)
Qualtrics pays $6.75 billion for Press Ganey Forsta, creating customer experience giant John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal
HOME BUILDING SURGING A BIT The Utah housing market for 2026 is steadily stabilizing, with modest home price growth (2-4%) and improving inventory. A combination of increased active listings and state initiatives to build thousands of new starter homes has created a more favorable environment for buyers.
In a deal that analysts expect to shake up the customer experience industry landscape, Provo’s Qualtrics has acquired Press Ganey Forsta, a South Bend, Indiana-based patient experience, employee experience and market research platform. Qualtrics paid $6.75 billion for the company with a mix of cash and private Qualtrics equity, according to company statements and legal filings. The valuation of the transaction included assumed debt. The intended acquisition was first announced late last year but was held up in March due to financing concerns by a JPMorgan-led syndicate of 11 banks engaged to finance the deal. The parties now expect the deal to close in coming months, once customary and regulatory hurdles are cleared. The combined operations and abilities of the two companies create one of the largest platforms in the world that use artificial intelligence to streamline patient and customer feedback data analytics that can be leveraged in real time to improve services for clients. Analysts expect the new mega-platform to make it more challenging for the dozens of capital-seeking AI startups entering the field to match the Qualtrics-Press
Ganey decades of experience and scope of services, according to a posting on the American Hospital Association website. Press Ganey Forsta, previously owned by Ares Management and Los Angeles-based private equity group Leonard Green & Partners, provides software, analytics, surveys and consulting services that help organizations measure and improve how people experience their products, services, healthcare and workplaces. Its technology is used for patient satisfaction and healthcare quality measurement along with customer feedback and sentiment analysis. Its experience management services are particularly strong in the healthcare industry. Press Ganey Forsta employs more than 3,000 people across its global locations. It serves 41,000 companies and organizations — including the majority of U.S. hospitals — in about 100 countries. Qualtrics CEO Jason Maynard characterized the deal, which he cast as “the largest tech acquisition in Utah history,” around what he called “the Experience Gap,” explaining that patients now benchmark their healthcare interactions against the best consumer experiences they encounter anywhere in their lives. The combined companies say they intend to deploy their merged dataset as the foundation for AI systems capable of predicting patient needs and personalizing care delivery in the healthcare
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industry, extending Qualtrics’ existing reach in financial services, retail, hospitality and the public sector. “AI permanently changed what people expect from every experience in their lives,” Maynard said in a statement. “That’s why the future will be won in the ‘Experience Gap.’ Leaders want to deliver intelligent, responsive and predictable human experiences. In the age of AI, experience is now the differentiator in every industry, and for the first time ever, that problem can be solved in healthcare. The rich data and context intelligence we are building raises the standard for what experience management can do across every industry we serve.” Qualtrics praised Press Ganey Forsta in its announcement, calling it “the trusted standard for healthcare experience.” Citing its presence in the majority of U.S. hospitals, Qualtrics said, “This proprietary advantage is based on decades of patient voice data, deep relationships with provider, payer and post-acute leaders. This unique combination is purpose-built for the clinical, regulatory and operational realities of care delivery.” Qualtrics was founded in 2002 in Provo by brothers Ryan and Jared Smith, their father Scott Smith and Stuart Orgill. Origsee QUALTRICS page 2
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2 | May 25, 2026
QUALTRICS from page 1
inally launched from the Smith family basement, the company began as an online survey and research platform aimed at universities and academic researchers. As demand grew, Qualtrics expanded into corporate customer and employee feedback software, helping pioneer the “experience management” industry. The company remained largely bootstrapped for a decade before receiving major venture funding in 2012. Qualtrics grew rapidly into one of Utah’s most successful tech firms and a flagship of the “Silicon Slopes” startup scene. In 2019, German software giant SAP acquired Qualtrics for $8 billion, though the company later returned to public markets before being acquired by private equity firm Silver Lake in 2023. “Bringing Qualtrics and Press Ganey Forsta together will accelerate the adoption of AI and create the most comprehensive platform for improving the human experience,” Zig Serafin, CEO of Qualtrics, in a statement. “Combining Qualtrics’ AI platform with Press Ganey Forsta’s trusted analytics and deep expertise creates an opportunity to deliver exceptional value and measurable outcomes for our customers. “There’s no more important proving ground for experience management than healthcare, where better experiences for patients and employees directly impact better
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL outcomes and quality of care,” Serafin continued. “We’re excited to welcome Press Ganey Forsta to Qualtrics and deliver this future together.” Leaders and analysts in the healthcare industry generally praised the combination of the two customer experience giants. Rob Allen, president and CEO of Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health, said Qualtrics’ investment in Press Ganey Forsta marks a “groundbreaking move” for healthcare that will “positively transform healthcare experience and quality for the future.” “Qualtrics and Press Ganey Forsta together have unique capabilities and expertise to scale this across the industry,” Allen said. “This combination brings together two dynamic companies that provide deep AI-powered analytic insights and drive improvement, ultimately accelerating our goal to reach zero harm and build resiliency in the workforce, with the benefactors being our patients, families, clinicians and team members,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, quoted in the Qualtrics release. “The combo locks up healthcare for Qualtrics, as they’ll now have a massive inventory of longitudinal patient and clinician signals, wrapped in compliance workflows and integrations, that most horizontal platforms simply don’t have,” Bill Staikos, founder of customer experience podcast “Be Customer-Led,” told customer experience website CX Today.
Qualtrics to drive PGA’s ‘Voice of the Gallery’ program
Concurrent with its announcement of a major move into the healthcare industry with the acquisition of patient experience company Press Ganey Forsta, Provo’s Qualtrics is also expanding its relationship with the PGA Tour. Last week, the PGA Tour named Qualtrics the official tool of its new “Voice of the Gallery” program, part of the professional golf organization’s Fan Forward initiative designed to elevate fan experiences across tour events by understanding and acting on their needs The PGA said it launched the Voice of the Gallery program to capture insights into the on-site experience from fans attending tour events in post-tourney feedback. Results are shared with executive and tournament leadership to drive improvements at individual events and identify trendlines across the tournament schedule. The PGA hosts hundreds of thousands of fans each year and Qualtrics powers the collection and analysis of their real-time feedback to better inform improvements to the on-site fan experience, player engagement initiatives and internal culture programs. As part of the Fan Forward initiative, Qualtrics
enables event staff to identify and address challenges while fans are still on site, creating a more engaging and responsive experience at all PGA events. The expanded program builds on the multi-year relationship between Qualtrics and the PGA Tour. Qualtrics serves as a key platform for tour members to provide direct feedback on event operations, course conditions and broader membership topics throughout the year. From weekly surveys to the end-of-year player membership questionnaire, insights gathered through Qualtrics help the player relations team better understand what matters most to players and continue to evolve the tour experience. “Listening to our fans and players is essential to how we continue to evolve and elevate the PGA TOUR experience,” said Andy Weitz, the tour’s chief marketing officer. “Qualtrics provides the tools and insights the TOUR needs to ask the right questions, understand what matters most and respond quickly with meaningful solutions. We’re excited to expand our partnership with Qualtrics as we continue to put Fan Forward insights at the center of our decision-making.
Board of Higher Education launches AI task force
The Utah Board of Higher Education has launched a statewide Artificial Intelligence Task Force to drive coordination across public colleges and universities, industry and government. The group will work to advance Utah’s strategic priorities for AI in education. As its first action, the task force will lead a statewide effort to advance a university-issued AI Workforce Credential. The initiative will be carried out in partnership with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s AI Pro-Human Committee, Utah System of Higher Education institutions, Talent Ready Utah and statewide employers. Cox first announced the AI Workforce Credential during his speech at the Utah State of Innovation Conference on April 30, emphasizing the state’s efforts to prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving workforce. The credential is designed to complement students’ existing technical and durable skills by adding AI credentialing within their field of study. More than 50,000 graduates from Utah’s public colleges and universities in the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027 will be eligible to earn the credential at
no cost beginning July 1. “Utah’s economy is strong, our workforce is strong and we work hard to keep it that way,” Cox said. “In Utah, our leaders are thinking big, solving big problems and working at the speed of industry. That’s why Talent Ready Utah, the Board of Higher Education’s AI Task Force and the AI Pro-Human Committee have created a university-issued AI Workforce Credential, designed with local employers for Utah students.” In addition to its work on credentialling, the task force will develop actionable recommendations for Utah’s public colleges and universities to prepare students for an AI-enabled workforce, support the responsible use of AI in teaching and research, and strengthen alignment between education and industry. The task force includes 11 statewide members representing business, education and government. Additional members may be added as the task force’s work progresses. Cydni Tetro of the Utah Board of Higher Education will be the task force chair, with members Vic Hockett, as-
sociate commissioner of Talent Ready Utah and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, who will lead the staff; T.J. Bliss, associate commissioner for academic affairs of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; someone to be named director of artificial intelligence integration, from Talent Ready Utah; Jefferson Moss, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity; and Charles Musgraves, dean of the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering at the University of Utah. Also on the task force are Barclay Burns, chief AI officer and assistant dean of Smith College of Engineering and Technology at Utah Valley University; Tim Kapp, adjunct professor of computer science at Brigham Young University; Aaron Davis, executive director of the Atwood Innovation Plaza at Utah Tech University; Alice Schwarze, head of research at the Office for Artificial Intelligence Policy at the Utah Department of Commerce; and Jami Hughes, deputy chief information and security officer of Zions Bancorporation.
“The Utah Board of Higher Education recognizes that artificial intelligence is reshaping the world, and the board is leading efforts to ensure our students are prepared for an AI-driven economy by building on the innovative work already underway at Utah’s colleges and universities,” said Tetro. “This task force brings together higher education, industry, workforce and public-sector leaders to translate that direction into practical, actionable recommendations that help Utah lead nationally in human-centered artificial intelligence. The AI Workforce Credential is just one way the Utah System of Higher Education is preparing graduates for the future of work.” The task force was authorized by the Board of Higher Education in a December 2025 resolution to guide the systemwide integration of AI. Its work aligns with the board’s strategic imperatives on artificial intelligence to equip every student with pro-human AI skills and workforce readiness at scale, harness AI to transform education and research, and reimagine higher education for an AI-accelerated economy, a board statement said.
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
The “silver tsunami” isn’t a disaster. It’s a wave to surf How mergers and acquisitions are the future of entrepreneurship
The “silver tsunami” is a metaphor that dates back to the 1980s but has recently resurfaced. It refers to the demographic shifts currently happening within the United States, and news articles often use this phrase when discussing aging baby boomers. The headlines and titles using “silver tsunami” often include words like “bracing,” “crisis” and “protect” or “prepare.” The phrase itself conjures images of destruction and violent natural disasters. But while everyone is discussing the challenges of aging demographics, business owners and entrepreneurs should be seeing an opportunity — a wave to surf, so to speak — instead of a natural disaster. More than 51 percent of U.S. business owners are 55 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but only about 54 percent of those business owners say they have a formal succession plan. Therein lies the opportunity. The U.S. Small Business Administration reported that there are more than 371,569 small businesses in Utah, and if 51 percent of their owners are entering retirement age and 54 percent don’t have a succession plan, that adds up to almost 95,000 businesses that could be available to buy or acquire in Utah alone. Why acquiring a business can be a good idea For new businesses owners, there are many reasons why you may want to acquire a business instead of starting one: • An established business model means spending less time figuring out what “works.” • Reliable revenue streams can create
immediate cash flow. • Because the business is already established, it may be easier to get financing. GRANT • No need to DAHL train staff or bring in suppliers or business partners. For experienced businesses owners, the list is similar, but with a few additional benefits, including: • The diversification of business assets. • More cash flow for greater financial flexibility. • Access to quality and experienced staff. Many of these benefits only improve when a business has existed for a long time. In addition, many small businesses are in sectors that are stable or may have growth in the next five years. For example, education, health and construction businesses make up about 16 percent of the total number of small businesses in Utah. Each of these sectors had positive yearover-year employment growth in 2025. What to watch for when acquiring a small business As with any business decision, there is much to consider before jumping in the deep end, even for established businesses with existing revenue streams and strong business models. A comprehensive review of the business you intend to acquire is probably the most important step. Carefully review financial statements, contracts and assets,
and become well-acquainted with the company culture. The most likely reason an acquired business may fail is due to undisclosed issues and poor integration into the existing enterprise. Pay special attention if you’re acquiring a business from a long-time owner. Most Utah small businesses are more than 5 years old, according to a government survey. With a more tenured owner, you’ll want to account for loyalty to the existing owner that could be challenging to overcome. What do you need to acquire a business Financing is often top of mind for current and future business owners. However, acquiring a business may require more than just financing, particularly if you’ve never owned a business before. Here are a few things to consider before financing a business acquisition: • Is the business hands-on or can you manage from a distance? • Does it require intensive industry research to successfully operate? • Is it a business with employees or a business run by one person? Current business owners should also consider whether an acquisition matches their overall business goals and how the new business will fit into the existing business model. If needed, consult with an attorney to help draw up contracts or review existing agreements. Financing is also very important, particularly for new entrepreneurs. A good credit history, adequate collateral, and experience in managing teams is the bare minimum for getting a loan. Lenders may require detailed financial statements and
business plans for both the borrower and the business before approval. An SBA loan could be a great option for new business owners. It is often easier to obtain, thanks to a government guarantee, so they are viewed as less risky for lenders. We recommend working with an SBA-preferred lender because they are generally able to approve loans more quickly, thanks to a strong relationship with the SBA. SBA loans are subject to credit approval, so being creditworthy makes it more likely you will be approved. The final consideration As any business owner knows, running a business is difficult and adding more to your plate through an acquisition can be even more difficult. It’s important to come into any transaction with reality in mind. Ask the important questions: • What is my capacity? • Am I prepared to put in the work? • What are my strengths and limitations? Despite the difficulties of acquiring a business, the potential benefits can be worth it. According to the SBA, small businesses account for $11.4 billion of Utah exports each year — and that number doesn’t include businesses that don’t export. They also make up almost half of the total employees in Utah. So instead of running to high ground, buy a surfboard and ride the “silver tsunami” to success. Grant Dahl is senior vice president and small-business banking manager at Zions Bank, with more than 15 years of experience in SBA underwriting and team leadership.
St. George-based Zonos acquires Evolve Trade Services
Zonos, a St. George-based AI operating system for cross-border trade, has acquired Evolve Trade Services, a licensed U.S. customs brokerage specializing in high-volume e-commerce clearance. Evolve has offices in Los Angeles and Seattle. With the acquisition, Zonos will launch Zonos Brokerage Services, a new division focused on low-value informal entries into the U.S. for merchants, postal operators, logistics providers and freight forwarders. Zonos
serves more than 50,000 merchants and over 70 postal operators worldwide. Evolve Trade Services was founded by Jason Bye and Bill Coleman to handle the clearance profile most affected by the upcoming U.S. postal entry changes: high-volume, direct-to-consumer parcel traffic. Evolve Trade will continue to operate under its own name as a separate entity under Zonos, serving as the licensed brokerage behind Zonos Brokerage Services. Evolve brings e-commerce customs expertise, includ-
ing Type 11 informal entries and a track record of clearing high-volume D2C parcel traffic into the United States. “Zonos sits at the origin of the transaction, collecting duties and powering shipments for thousands of businesses, as well as serving as the ‘Qualified Party’ for over 70 postal operators,” said Clint Reid, CEO and founder of Zonos. “Adding clearance means our customers get a single, compliant path from checkout to clearance.” “Evolve Trade Services has always
been defined by our ability to solve complex brokerage challenges for our clients,” said Jason Bye, co-founder and managing director of Evolve. “Becoming part of Zonos allows us to dramatically expand on that mission — pairing our expertise with Zonos’ technology to deliver compliance capabilities and customer solutions at a level we couldn’t have achieved alone. As trade complexity continues to accelerate, this is the right partnership at exactly the right time.”
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Maverik CEO helped lead Flying J from bankruptcy to success Becky Ginos Salt Lake Business Journal Crystal Maggalet grew up in a home where she saw her mom and dad be very entrepreneurial. To them, it was an opportunity to jump in and do it. That’s where she got her early start to become what she is today: CEO of FJ Management and Maverik. Maggalet was the guest speaker at the new Leaders of Utah Documentary (L.O.U.D.) networking series held at the Young Automotive Group’s headquarters May 13. The primary goal of this series is to provide Utah’s next wave of leaders with avenues for professional development, said Oliver Young, innovations director at the Young Automotive Group. “This series is designed for people looking to gain insights, make meaningful connections and grow their business.” Maggalet’s father is the late Flying J founder, O. Jay Call. She got her start in the family business after receiving a bachelor’s in marketing from Pepperdine University. “I came back and worked for our family business,” she said. “I marketed propane and butane for our refinery as well as managed a fleet of our cars. Then I decided to go back and get my MBA and went to Harvard Business School.” With her degree in hand, Maggalet decided she wanted to stay back east for a little bit. “I worked in Stamford, Connecticut, in marketing for a credit card company,” she said. “After a couple of years of doing that, my father came to me and said he wanted to build a hotel in Salt Lake and would I be interested in coming back and leading that charge.” Maggalet said although her dad was very entrepreneurial, he was very handsoff. “I knew that was an amazing opportunity for me, so I came back to Salt Lake and started building hotels. I always believed in hard work and I was a staff of one when I started the hotel. I had to pick sheets and figure out account systems. I ZB_9225_2025_SBA_Kraus_Print_v2_8.375x 10.875_UBJ_V06.pdf
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Crystal Maggalet, CEO of FJ Management and Maverik, talks to David Butterfield from Golden West Credit Union at the Leaders of Utah Documentary (L.O.U.D.) networking series. Maggalet was the guest speaker at the event. (Becky Ginos/Salt Lake Business Journal) had to decorate the hotel and line up reservations.” Maggalet said she was not leading; she was doing. “I learned very quickly that there’s no way I could do that. I definitely think Crystal Inn was the first opportunity I had to do that. I made mistakes. Some of the first people that I hired weren’t the right people.” As the hotel chain grew, Maggalet said, some of the employees weren’t the right people anymore, even though they were when she started. “Being an entrepreneur, that was a wonderful opportunity to experience something from starting up, where you have to do everything to progress to where I am today, where everybody does everything for me. That’s true leadership.” At the very beginning of COVID, the hotels were in a really desperate situation. Hotels had just gone close to 90 days of the year doing really well in occupancy and revenue and then COVID hit. Occu-
pancy went from 75 percent to 15 percent in a matter of a week. However, Maggalet was able to maintain her drive as a leader to push the organization forward. “In the end, managing about 14 hotels, along the way I had four kids,” said Maggalet. “I had a break there of about eight years where I was not working as much and during that time I was on the board of Flying J, which was my father’s company.” Maggalet was still involved with Crystal Inn in 2008 during the Great Recession. “My dad passed away,” she said. “Flying J went into bankruptcy and within three weeks I was CEO of Flying J.” Stepping in as CEO of Flying J in early 2009 when it was in bankruptcy, there was a lot to do, said Maggalet. “We were a fully integrated oil company. We weren’t that anymore. We went from 12,000 employees to 1,000 and somebody else operating the main part of our company. We were minority owners, so we still partici-
pated on the board and things, but I definitely was lost.” Maggalet said she had all these people around her that knew all about bankruptcy, attorneys and consultants. “I didn’t know anything about bankruptcy. I really had to have the courage to be a leader because they would have plowed over me.” Maggalet was advised that she didn’t have to pay everything back to the creditors. “I had the people around me, we had the assets,” she said. “We can come out and pay people back and I wanted to make this happen. Along the way, people would say, ‘Why would you pay everybody back? You don’t have to do that.’ I had to do that.” That was the duty piece, said Maggalet. “The leadership piece was necessary to bring really smart people together on the same page. All of a sudden, a lot of really smart people went away because they were there for the bankruptcy and we were out and we were in great shape.” After that, Maggalet said, she wondered where to go from there. “Buying Maverik a year and a half later was a very easy decision. We had the resources to do it.” Maggalet has been the CEO of Maverik and FJ Management ever since. “We changed the name (from Flying J) to FJ Management. FJ Management is a holding company and that’s Maverik but also owns a refinery and has a large investment portfolio of assisted living centers, hotels, banks and a few other things.” Primarily today, Maggalet is CEO of Maverik. “We have 840 convenience stores across 20 states,” she said. “I’m glad I didn’t just give up and feel like, ‘Well, our family business will never be the same’ because today we’re back to where we have actually more employees and do much better on the bottom line than Flying J ever did, which makes me very proud.” To reserve a spot for the next L.O.U.D. networking installment featuring Gov. Spencer Cox, go to https:// wkf.ms/49eMjXT.
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May 25, 2026 | 5
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Jazz, Mammoth switching healthcare provider; building new Intermountain sports medicine center John Rogers Salt Lake Business Journal The Jazz and Mammoth are getting a new healthcare provider — and a whole lot more. Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), owner of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL), has announced a new partnership with Utah-based Intermountain Health. In addition to Intermountain becoming the primary healthcare provider for athletes from the two sports franchises, the two companies will combine to build a state-of-the-art sports medicine center as part of SEG’s developing sports campus in Sandy. Scheduled to open in 2028, the Intermountain Health Sports Performance Center will be located adjacent to the Utah Mammoth Ice Center and the future Utah Jazz practice facility. SEG said the facility will be the only sports and health campus in the NBA and NHL with two teams under a single ownership group and a single healthcare provider, creating a destination for high-performance athletes and active individuals seeking “advanced recovery, wellness and innovative healthcare.” On July 1, Intermountain will replace University of Utah Health as the medical services provider for the two teams. UofU Health has been associated with the Jazz since the two organizations announced an exclusive five-year partnership in December 2014. The agreement has seen subsequent renewals but will end as Intermountain takes over. Intermountain Health is a nonprofit healthcare system headquartered in Salt Lake City operating 33 hospitals and over 400 clinics across six states in the Mountain West. The system employs over 68,000 people. The 60,000-square foot Intermountain Health Sports Performance Center will be built between the recently completed Mammoth Ice Center and a new Jazz practice facility planned for nearby. SEG said that the medical and training center will significantly expand access to cutting-edge athletic performance technology, advanced training methodologies and industry-leading sports medicine services. The center will offer comprehensive clinical ser-
Intermountain Health, in partnership with Smith Entertainment Group, will build a 60,000-square-foot medical and sports training center adjacent to the Mammoth Ice Center and a future Utah Jazz practice facility at the Shops at South Town in Sandy. (courtesy Intermountain Health) vices such as primary care, sports medicine, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, along with sports performance science, performance therapy, advanced diagnostics and imaging. It will also house an orthopedic ambulatory surgery center. The medical complex will be available not only to Jazz and Mammoth players but will serve youth competitors and sports-minded community members with access to AI-enabled performance insights and sophisticated movement analysis that connects biomechanics and assesses injury risk, guiding training, recovery and return-to-play protocols. Construction on the medical facility has begun with opening projected for mid-2028. “The SEG sports campus — with two brand new, state-of-the-art practice facilities combined with a world-class sports medicine center — is unlike anything in the NBA and NHL,” said Ryan Smith, chairman and CEO of Smith Entertainment Group. “Having a single ownership group and a single healthcare provider across both teams will allow us to innovate, share best practices, and build toward the integrated care that is the future and continue to invest in proactive care, health and longevity for our teams and the community.” “Partnering with Intermountain Health on this campus is one more important step in creating Utah as a destination market for professional athletes and our ability to serve the community at large,” Smith continued. “Intermoun-
tain is nationally renowned as a model health system, operating nine of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. Together, Intermountain and SEG are creating a best-in-class resource for Utah Jazz and Mammoth athletes while also elevating the care and performance resources for the entire community.” As SEG’s healthcare partner, Intermountain Health will provide comprehensive, connected care that includes injury prevention, orthopedic care, rehabilitation, performance optimization, reconditioning and functional recovery support, an SEG release said. Select Health, a health insurance company and an Intermountain subsidiary, will also become the health insurer for both teams under the agreement. Select Health is a nonprofit company serving over 900,000 members in Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Colorado. “Caring for these athletes extends our mission and reflects the expertise and support our caregivers provide daily to patients and families across our communities,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “Our sports medicine teams will work alongside the Jazz and Mammoth organizations to provide innovative, connected care aimed at helping each player perform safely and at their best. This same trusted expertise is here for athletes at every level, as well as for all those seeking our care and support.” “We are thrilled to partner with the Smith Entertainment Group,” Allen continued. “They are committed to contrib-
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth, front, and Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health, announce a partnership to provide healthcare for the teams and build a new medical and training facility adjacent to the teams’ practice facilities in Sandy. (Courtesy of the Utah Jazz) uting to a high quality of life and health for Utahns and delivering world-class professional sports. Their deep investment in the Sandy City and Salt Lake County communities, and the Utah Jazz, establishing the Utah Mammoth and transforming the Delta Center underscore their dedication to a vibrant Utah.” SEG has a growing reputation for operating franchises that are attractive to professional athletes. Smith and his management team expect the new healthcare arrangement to further that standing. “Ryan and Ashley (Smith) continue to create the best player experience in the NBA,” Keyonte George, a guard with Utah Jazz, said in SEG’s release announcing the new arrangement. “Having this medical partnership right at our new practice facility will be instrumental for our players’ health and wellness.” “We are fortunate to have incredible ownership that values the importance of health and wellness in its players and is willing to invest in world-class resources,” said Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth forward. “Having Intermountain Health’s expertise right on our campus is tremendous for our team.” The new facility will continue the development of the Shops at South Town in Sandy that SEG bought two years ago with the intent to develop a destination for sports, entertainment, gathering and community.
6 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Left, Copper Rock champion Fiona Xu holds the first-place trophy besides Tom Haraldsen, representing The City Journals. Center, she holds the $37,500 check for winning. Right, she taps in for a par on the final hole. (Courtesy of Peri Kinder, City Journals)
New Zealander Xu wins Copper Rock golf title
New Zealand golfer Fiona Xu captured the 2026 Copper Rock Championship on May 16, beating a trio of other pros to win the title for her second time. She won the Copper Rocks title in 2024 as well. The City Journals, partners with the Salt Lake Business Journal, was a co-sponsor of the tournament. On a windy day that saw several lead
changes, Xu began her third round with a birdie on the par-4 third hole. She followed that with birdies on holes five and nine, and finally took the lead for good with a birdie on 16. She finished at 13 under par. There was a three-way tie for second among Ashley Menne, Annabelle Pancake-Webb and Maddie Szeryk-DiBello, all at 10 under. “It feels really amazing, pretty surre-
al, and it hasn’t sunk in yet, but to do it again here is pretty special,” said Xu, who was accompanied on her final round by her mother. She admitted feeling some nerves as she reached the back nine, “I think it’s more in the last two holes, especially making that par putt on 17. I think from there, I kind of knew that I’d pretty much won. That putt was really important and I’m re-
ally happy.” The win was worth $37,000 and 500 points on the Epson Tour, moving her from No. 131 to No. 12 in the season-long Race for the Card. The Epson Tour resumes June 12 at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Marshall, Michigan. This is the sixth time the tour has played in Utah, with plans to return in 2027.
ZipRecruiter survey shows grads are settling for jobs they plan to leave
The “Building a New Path” report from ZipRecruiter surveyed 1,500 recent graduates and 1,500 rising graduates in the U.S. and found that competition for jobs is getting steeper, with applicants looking for more entry-level roles and finding fewer available options. “The old model was: graduate, find an entry-level job, climb from there,” Nicole Bachaud, labor economist at ZipRecruiter, said in a statement. “What we’re seeing now is something less linear, yet their outcomes are actually improving. Grads are piecing together experience through internships, side work, stepping-stone roles and even starting their own ventures. With fewer entry-level roles available, their path looks different, but many are finding their way.” Recent graduates are settling for jobs they don’t think are right for them, with 20 percent of employed grads saying they’re overqualified for their current roles and 18 percent saying they intentionally applied for a job that was below
their level just to get a foothold, according to new research from ZipRecruiter. Only 26 percent of recent grads said they were currently on their ideal career path, while 51 percent said their current job is a stepping stone, according to the report. In addition, nearly 1 in 5 said they were in “bridge jobs” — positions they accepted so they could cover expenses while continuing to search. Artificial intelligence is also impacting the new grad job market, with 47 percent of recent grads saying AI has already impacted hiring in their sector and about 50 percent predicting AI will reduce entry-level jobs. However, only 29 percent of rising grads and 23 percent of recent grads said their school provided extensive AI training for professional use. While 77 percent of recent graduates said they found a role within three months of graduating, up from 63 percent a year ago, ZipRecruiter said it’s a sign that graduates are willing to be more flexible in order to gain a foothold in the work-
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place. The report added that graduates are applying to more jobs but receiving fewer offers, and ultimately getting less of a say in where they end up than their peers did only a year ago. There is also a gender gap in both pay equity and AI training, per the report. Recent women graduates saw a $48,000 median starting pay, representing 80 cents on the dollar compared to men, who earned $60,000. Meanwhile, only about 19 percent of recent women grads reported having any AI training integrated into their curriculum, versus about 29 percent of men. However, about 14 percent of recent women graduates say their school focused only on the risks of AI without covering professional use cases, compared to about 6 percent of men who said the same. The report said this suggested that men “are more likely to learn how to apply AI professionally” while women “are more likely to learn only why to be cautious about it,” meaning women are less likely
to be prepared to use AI in the workforce. Despite the tighter labor market, recent and rising grads continued to have strong opinions about what they were looking for in an ideal employer, with both groups saying employee well-being was more important than company ethics, social equity or environmental impact. In addition, 34 percent of recent grads preferred in-person work, and only 19 percent said they preferred fully remote. However, 11 percent of rising grads said they would quit over a full-time office mandate, compared to 6 percent of recent grads. Monster’s 2026 State of the Graduate Report found that new graduates were more interested in stability than salary, with 67 percent saying they would accept a lower-paying job if they thought it would give them more security. Although 68 percent still cited salary as their top consideration when looking at job offers, job security came in second at 52 percent, and ranked higher than career growth opportunities (49 percent).
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May 25, 2026 | 7
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Gardner study: More than half of Utahns reside in cities with populations over 50,000
Utah is becoming less and less a rural state as population patterns shift, according to a new study from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. More than half the state’s residents now live in cities with more than 50,000 residents. The Gardner Institute has released its first-ever statewide subcounty population estimates for Utah. The data offer a comprehensive look at population change from 2024 to 2025 for all 255 incorporated cities and towns across the state, in addition to 29 unincorporated county areas. “These inaugural statewide subcounty estimates give Utah its first comprehensive, place-level view using a consistent housing-unit approach,” said Mallory Bateman, director of demographic research at Gardner. “Findings indicate continued rapid growth in many communities, a rising share of residents living in larger cities, and important variation across places — information that is essential for planning local services, infrastructure and housing.” Estimates from the study show Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Wash-
ington, West Haven and Spanish Fork as Utah’s fastest-growing cities with a population of 20,000 or higher. Five other communities — Magna, Heber City, Tooele, Hurricane and Cedar City — round out the top 10. Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain led the state in both absolute and percentage growth between 2024 and 2025. Between 2024 and 2025, populations in 172 communities in Utah grew, led by those in Utah, Salt Lake, Washington and Tooele counties. Utah County took a prominent position, accounting for half of the top 10 communities for growth. Salt Lake City continues to grow, adding over 3,000 residents between 2024 and 2025, the third-largest absolute growth in the state. This growth occurs while many older, well-established cities both in Utah and the U.S. experience declines. Mid-sized cities (5,000-19,999 residents) recorded the fastest average growth rate of 1.5 percent between 2024 and 2025, led by Salem (9.1 percent), Mapleton (8.9 percent) and Nibley (8.1 percent). One hundred Utah communities —
New homes sparkle beneath Pine Valley Mountain in the Washington County city of Washington, named in a Gardner Institute study as one of the five fastest-growing cities in Utah. (Courtesy of homes.com) primarily smaller towns — experienced population declines, highlighting demographic shifts and economic challenges in various regions. “A complete, consistent set of subcounty estimates fills a critical data gap for Utah,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Gardner Institute. “These estimates strengthen local and state deci-
sion-making by revealing where growth is concentrated and where population is declining, providing leaders with a foundation for better regional planning and investment.” The full study, including population for all the state’s towns and cities, can be accessed through the Gardner Institute’s website at gardner.utah.edu.
Utah, Japanese firms agree to use zero-waste critical mineral recovery process Milford Mining Co. Utah (MMCU) and Furnace Japan Co. Inc. have signed an agreement to jointly deploy next-generation, environmentally sustainable processing technology in Utah to accelerate the recovery of tungsten from the Utah company’s Beaver County mine tailings. The partnership combines MMCU’s mineral assets at the Copper Ranch Mine near Milford, which includes high-grade copper resources, historical tungsten deposits and legacy tailings, with Furnace Japan’s proprietary, internationally patented electric resistance furnace (ERF) mineral recovery technology. Together, the companies aim to unlock new value from both primary resources and previously discarded materials while significantly reducing environmental impact. “The agreement with Furnace Japan high-
lights Milford Mining Co. Utah’s global leadership in pioneering innovation shows what’s possible when Utah’s resources are paired with world-class technology,” said Gov. Spencer Cox. “Milford Mining Co. is leading the way in unlocking Utah’s critical mineral potential, creating rural jobs and driving prosperity across our state.” Conventional extraction methods rely on acid-intensive processes that generate large volumes of waste and present logistical and environmental challenges, according to Milford Mining. Furnace Japan’s pyrometallurgical ERF technology offers a cleaner alternative, using primarily electrical energy to process both newly mined ore and legacy tailings without large-scale acid consumption. The result is a more efficient system that produces environmentally stable, non-polluting slag that can be repurposed for
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tion with Furnace Japan has the potential to transform our mining byproducts into highly valuable critical minerals not found anywhere else in the world.” The release said the collaboration aligns with the broader U.S.-Japan efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains. “By pairing advanced Japanese processing technology with U.S. resource development, infrastructure and workforce, the partnership represents a model for allied industrial cooperation — enhancing both economic resilience and national security,” the statement said. MMCU is one of the only domestic copper mine restarts in the United States in decades, having successfully restarted operations at one of the highest-grade copper mines in the country and ramped production to help meet American copper demand.
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industrial applications, thereby moving mining closer to a circular, zero-waste model. Under the agreement, MMCU and Furnace Japan will develop a pilot plant in Milford to recover tungsten and other valuable minerals from the tailings. Pending successful trials, the partners plan to scale to a commercial operation and expand the technology to support upstream processing of newly mined ore. This approach transforms long-standing environmental liabilities into strategic domestic resources, supporting growing demand driven by electrification, AI infrastructure and national defense, the parties said. “Milford Mining Co. Utah is committed to sustainable practices that protect our national security and support our thriving economy right here at home,” said MMCU Chairman Roger Barris. “Our collabora-
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“This amazing organization is full of honest vendors that do what they promise. It gives you the opportunity to build long term relationships and I learn new stuff every year. I have met so many amazing, fun, smart, and professional people by being a part of this organization!” - Mike Reidy, Associate Member RotoAire Filter Sales & Service
8 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
UofU, National Laboratory of the Rockies partner to improve energy system
The University of Utah and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to strengthen the U.S. energy system. The agreement enables collaborative research on the country’s national security and energy priorities, from water security, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to AI-driven science and high-performance computing. University of Utah President Taylor Randall and National Laboratory of the Rockies Director Jud Virden signed the MOU earlier this month at the NLR facility in Golden, Colorado. The following day, Audrey Robertson, DOE’s assistant secretary for critical minerals and energy innovation, celebrated the agreement during the laboratory’s annual partner forum, a gathering of energy leaders focused on critical minerals. “This partnership comes at a pivotal moment, when strengthening the nation’s energy resilience is more important than ever,” said Randall. “Together, we’re more capable of tackling the toughest scientific challenges.” The MOU advances long-standing partnerships between individual UofU faculty and laboratory researchers in areas including data visualization and high-performance computing at a national scale. The three-year agreement will enable even greater collaboration through shared facil-
ities, joint proposal development, visiting scholar programs, student internships and career pathways to national labs and more. As part of the MOU, NLR will work with university researchers to bolster energy security by strengthening supply chains. Technologies like batteries, cellphones, semiconductors and defense systems require components made from critical materials and rare earth elements, many of which are imported from abroad. To reduce supply-chain risk, the U.S. is rapidly expanding domestic sources of critical minerals. “The monumental effort will require cooperation from all sectors — and the MOU unites two leaders well positioned to align key players,” the UofU said in a statement. Pending approval of the Utah Board of Higher Education, the UofU’s proposed Institute for Critical & Strategic Minerals (ICSM) would bring together interdisciplinary experts to drive innovation at every stage of critical mineral development while also addressing broader related challenges. Together with its external advisory board of industry and governmental partners, the institute will advance critical minerals research from geological discovery to real-world application. “NLR has outstanding researchers and excellent facilities that complement those at the University of Utah. This collaborative and synergistic effort from both institutions will help to facilitate greater progress and innovation in meeting some of
University of Utah President Taylor Randall (left) and National Laboratory of the Rockies Director Jud Virden sign an agreement to partner to advance energy resilience, critical minerals, water security and data-enabled science. (Courtesy National Laboratory of the Rockies) our country’s critical needs,” said Michael Free, professor of metallurgical engineering at the UofU, proposed director of the ICSM and special advisor to NLR. “For more than a century, the University of Utah has trained engineers, geologists and other scientists who have powered energy research in the region,” said Mitzi Montoya, executive vice president for academic affairs for the UofU. “This agreement will allow us to build on that legacy and existing partnerships in new ways. We look forward to working with the NLR in these key areas for many years to come.” The partnership will draw on the region’s expertise and long history in energy development, the UofU statement said. Re-
cently, a UofU-led team that includes Colorado School of Mines and other regional universities was awarded $9.6 million by the DOE to characterize critical minerals in unconventional sources across the Rocky Mountain area, including old coal mines and other waste. “Our partnership with the University of Utah combines unique facilities and capabilities and outstanding people to advance this mission. These integrated capabilities, along with a world-class student pipeline and partnership with U.S. industry, will help transform our nation’s competitiveness in critical minerals research, workforce development and technology demonstration,” said Virden.
Logan Downtown Alliance earns Utah’s first National Main Street accreditation In a first for the state, Utah Main Street and Main Street America have announced that the Logan Downtown Alliance has earned both state and national Main Street accreditation for its efforts at preservation-based economic growth. This designation coincides with National Historic Preservation Month and marks the first time a Utah community has met the performance standards set by both the state and national organizations. “There is no better way to honor our past than ensuring our historic downtowns remain vibrant economic engines for our future,” said Gov. Spencer Cox. “The Logan Downtown Alliance has been able to strengthen and advocate for downtown business, preserving a unique culture and celebrating community spaces.” “As the top designation for downtown revitalization, the Main Street recogni-
tion honors Logan’s dedication to fostering an energized hub for the Cache Valley community,” the organization said. The alliance’s performance was evaluated through a comprehensive assessment by the Utah Main Street and Main Street America organizations. “Our strategy to advocate for rehabilitation and new development projects continues to preserve Logan Downtown while creating jobs,” said Gary Saxton, executive director of the Logan Downtown Alliance. “These preservation-based projects boost tax revenue, attract tourism, strengthen small businesses and improve quality of life in Cache Valley.” Since its launch in 2003, the alliance has worked to strengthen downtown businesses and preserve the city’s cultural landscape. “This achievement is a shared victo-
ry for the city of Logan, resulting from a steady, year-over-year approach focused on community engagement and aligning the goals of local government, civic organizations and residents to build a shared sense of ownership for downtown development,” Saxton said. “Logan has set a new benchmark for excellence in our state,” said Chelsea Gauthier, Utah Main Street program manager and state coordinator. “By becoming Utah’s first community to achieve both state and national accreditation, the alliance has proven economic success through the balance of preserving historic character with a forward-thinking economic strategy that can be a roadmap for every other Main Street community in Utah.” Utah Main Street is a Main Street America coordinating program and is
a place-based economic development and community preservation program housed in the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement under the State Historic Preservation Office. It helps to lead a grassroots network consisting of over 40 coordinating programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country aimed at creating high-quality places and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. The Logan Downtown Alliance said its mission is to strengthen and advocate for Logan downtown businesses and development, preserve the unique culture and history and “celebrate the spaces where our community gathers, connects and thrives by promoting events and experiences in dining, retail, visual arts, performing arts and entertainment.”
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May 25, 2026 | 9
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WORK Daze DAZE Work Blame Alexander Graham Bell. Before the Bellster invented the telephone, it was widely accepted that getting a co-worker to respond to you required patience. You also needed a loud voice, since the only way to communicate was to open the window and holler. Communication-wise, these were the good old days. There were no emails, texts or Slack DMs, and, of course, there was no telephone. In most cases, getting someone to respond to you was so difficult and unfruitful that you didn’t even try. If you did try, you certainly didn’t expect anyone to get back to you immediately. Or ding them if they didn’t. Yet that is what happens today. We expect everyone to be immediately available, 24/7/365. And heaven help you if you ain’t. I was reminded of this situation by “What If We Just Stopped Being So Available,” an article by Joe Pinsker in The Atlantic. As Pinsker points out, “with the mass adoption of email and smartphones, the ‘acceptable’ window of response has gotten much smaller.” In fact, it has gotten positively microscopic. If your manager sends you a text and you don’t respond within seconds of them clicking “Send,” it not only reflects on your job performance, but it also indicates a lack of re-
Call me ‘unavailable’
spect. “What could you be doing that’s more important than responding to my email?” your manager will think. BOB And, sorry, openGOLDMAN heart surgery does not excuse it. But you can try — to excuse it, I mean. What drives Pinsky crazy is how we bend over backwards to apologize for something we really shouldn’t feel sorry about. Even a short, vanilla apology like “Sorry for the delay” can model “an unreasonable standard of responsiveness for the person we’re allegedly slow in getting back to.” Ready to tap the brakes on the ever-accelerating call and response requirements of business communication today? Get back to me immediately, because I’m ready to share. No. 1: You’re Not That Important. Right off the bat, inform the sender that they are over-estimating the importance of their message — and their position. “I know you are a SVP of HR, and understand that you want to know the morale of the 10 percent of employees remaining
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after our brilliant 90 percent staff reduction, but do you know that scientists in 2004 calculated that 99942 Apophis, an asteroid the size of four and a half football fields, has a 2.7 percent probably that it will hit Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029. “I’m sure you’ll agree that in preparation for this probability, I should clear my calendar immediately and therefore, won’t have time to respond to your request. (Ping me again on April 14, 2029, if we’re still here.)” No. 2: Lovely to Hear From You. Schmooze yourself to a little extra time by buttering up the nudnik manager who sent you a seemingly urgent email. “It was so wonderful to get your message,” you might begin. “The underlying sense of panic I read into your demand that I monitor eraser usage in the pencils provided to the Eastern District reminds me of how deeply you feel about issues the average manager would consider ridiculous. It is an honor to work for someone who is not embarrassed to show that they care. This is why you shouldn’t expect to hear a response until I am 110 percent certain that no nibblers, chewers and suckers diminish full eraser usage prematurely.” At this point, you are free to delay your response or ignore the email altogether. Trust me, your manager will be so over-
whelmed with their own wonderfulness that they will forget about you altogether. No. 3: Why Bother? Really! Do you think you’re the only one depressed with their career prospects? Up and down the org chart, your fellow employees are freaking out over how long they can compete with AI systems being installed with the sole objective of learning their jobs, so the AI can do their jobs. If they already have an AI agent to “help” them, any communication they send to you has to be bogus — a feeble attempt to make it look like they’re busy. By ignoring the initial message and the flurry of frantic messages sure to follow, you’re giving your co-workers something to do and you will be loved for it throughout the company. The only risk is that you feel guilty for ignoring time-critical communications, begin sending your own urgent messages, and, frustrated by slow responses, start doing work yourself. If that doesn’t end your career, nothing will. Bob Goldman was an advertising executive at a Fortune 500 company. He offers a virtual shoulder to cry on at info@creators.com. Copyright 2026 Creators Syndicate Inc.
10 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
State Am champ will get exemption into Bank of Utah PGA tourney
The PGA Tour’s Bank of Utah Championship will award a sponsor exemption to the winner of the Utah State Amateur Championship. The announcement is part of a strategic statewide partnership between Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association that positions the bank as the “Official Banking Partner of the Utah Golf Association,” with the Bank of Utah Championship serving as a platform for elevating Utah golfers and the sport statewide. The Bank of Utah Championship will bring the PGA Tour’s stars to Black Desert Resort for the third straight year Oct. 1-4. “Bank of Utah has always believed in the importance of investing in the people, organizations and experiences that help strengthen communities across our state,” Branden Hansen, the bank’s president, said in a release. “As a Utah-founded community bank and statewide financial partner, this partnership with the Utah Golf Association and the Bank of Utah Championship reflects our commitment to Utah golf at every level, from local players and historic championships to Utah’s opportunity to host an official PGA Tour event at Black Desert Resort.” The sentiment was echoed by the Utah Golf Association, which views the collaboration as a vital step for the sport’s regional growth. “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to continue elevating golf across Utah while creating stronger connections between our players, championships and the PGA Tour stage,” Easton Folster, executive director of the Utah Golf Association, said in a release. “Bank of Utah shares our commitment to supporting Utah communities, honoring the traditions of the game, and investing in opportunities that help grow golf statewide.”
“Elevating Utah golf and creating pathways for our state’s best players to compete at the highest level is what Black Desert Resort and the Bank of Utah Championship are all about. Nothing excites us more than watching a homegrown champion step onto that stage and show the world what Utah golf is made of,” Ashley Dove, executive director of the Bank of Utah Championship, said in a release. Qualifying rounds for the Utah State Amateur Championship — one of Utah’s most historic amateur golf championships — began statewide May 14. The championship will be held July 6-11 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course, with significant stakes as players compete for a spot in the Bank of Utah Championship. Since its inception, the Bank of Utah Championship has supported Utah’s thriving golf community by extending sponsor exemptions to players with local ties. Bowen Mauss, the 2025 Utah State Amateur champion, and Preston Summerhays, the State Amateur winner in 2018 and 2019, played on sponsor exemptions in 2024 and 2025, respectively. This partnership further solidifies the tournament’s support of Utah talent. In addition to the tournament exemption, Bank of Utah will become the presenting partner of the Utah Golf Association’s player recognition programs, including Champion of the Month and Player of the Week. These awards will highlight the achievements of local golfers all year long, allowing Bank of Utah and the Utah Golf Association to share the stories of talented players across the state. Tickets and VIP opportunities for the Bank of Utah Championship are officially on sale at www.bankofutahchampionship.com.
Graham named to head UofU’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute
Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah has announced the appointment of W. Brett Graham as its new president, effective with the announcement in May. Huntsman Mental Health Institute is a mental health system that integrates clinical care, research and education to address the mental health needs of individuals and families. Established in 2021 following a $150 million gift from the Huntsman family, the institute operates within the Department of Psychiatry and the University Neuropsychiatric Institute to deliver care across the lifespan and advance mental health nationwide. Graham brings extensive experience in healthcare strategy and operations, having served as interim CEO of the institute since February 2025, guiding enterprise operations and strategic initiatives. Prior to joining University of Utah Health, Graham was a partner at Leavitt Partners. He also served as chief operating officer at Meritain Health and as a vice president at Ingenix, part of UnitedHealth Group. “I’m honored to serve as institute president of Huntsman Mental Health Institute,” Graham said. “Mental healthcare is essential healthcare, and the institute is uniquely positioned to lead meaningful change through clinical care, research and education. I look forward to partnering with our faculty, staff, patients and communities to expand access to compassionate, evidence-based care.”
As president, Graham oversees overall strategy and operations, working with the institute’s leadership triad alongside the chair of the department of psychiatry and chief administrative officer, overseeing alignment across clinical care, research, education and community engagement. “Huntsman Mental Health Institute plays a critical role in transforming mental healthcare across Utah and the nation,” said Dr. Bob Carter, executive vice president of health sciences and CEO for University of Utah Health. “Brett is a values-driven leader with the strategic vision, operational expertise, and collaborative approach needed to guide the institute into its next chapter of growth and impact.” Graham holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. At University of Utah Health, he has contributed to major system initiatives and previously served as chief strategy officer for the university, where he led and coordinated the Impact 2030 strategy. “Brett brings a deep understanding of the complexity of academic medicine and the urgency of improving mental healthcare,” said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. “His strategic leadership experience will accelerate our work to expand access, integrate care, translational research and education, while advancing Huntsman Mental Health Institute as a national leader in transforming mental healthcare.”
Davis County native Patrick Fishburn was among the local golfers playing in the Bank of Utah Championship last fall at Black Desert Resort. (Tom Haraldsen/Salt Lake Business Journal)
Mercury receives OCC conditional approval to establish bank in Utah
Mercury, a San Francisco-based financial technology company specializing in providing financial services for startup companies, has received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish Mercury Bank NA in Utah. The firm said the new bank will allow it to deliver its unique vision for banking directly to customers under full federal oversight. The conditional approval is the culmination of years of work to build a financial platform that will pass the stringent requirements of direct regulation, Mercury said. Mercury serves more than 300,000 businesses and individuals, generates more than $650 million in annualized revenue and has maintained four years of profitability. One in three U.S. startups banks with Mercury, the company claims. Mercury provides “almost every tool founders use to build a company” and Mercury sees the new bank as the last in the list of services it can provide to entrepreneurs. “We applied for this charter because the best founders in the country deserve a bank that was built for them,” said Immad Akhund, co-founder and CEO of Mercury. “Our customers have been asking for Zelle, for expanded lending, for payment infrastructure we actually control. We couldn’t give them those things without a bank charter. Those gaps have always bothered me. This is how we start closing them.”
With the OCC’s conditional approval, Mercury enters the bank organization phase, during which it will work to satisfy remaining requirements and obtain final authorization from the OCC, as well as pending approvals from the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. Mercury has named Jon Auxier to serve as CEO and president of Mercury Bank. He previously served as CFO of SoFi Bank and corporate treasurer of SoFi Technologies, where he helped lead the implementation of SoFi’s national bank charter. He previously held senior roles at Green Dot, Goldman Sachs and a global accounting firm. “The work now is earning trust by building the bank our customers deserve,” said Auxier. “That means the operational infrastructure and risk management discipline to match the standard Mercury’s product has already set.” Mercury announced its intention to pursue a national bank charter in December. The application was submitted alongside an application for federal deposit insurance with the FDIC. In coming days, Mercury Technologies Inc. will separately file an application with the Federal Reserve to become a bank holding company. The exact location of the bank’s headquarters in Utah has not been determined. Until Mercury’s bank charter is issued, it will continue to offer banking services to its clients through Choice Financial Group and Column NA, both FDIC member banks.
May 25, 2026 | 11
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
PEOPLE on ON THE People the MOVE Move Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
ADVISORY
• Squire, an audit, tax and business advisory firm that has five locations in Utah and one each in Nevada and Arizona, has named Chelsea Smith as partner in its Tax Advisory practice. Smith joined Squire in 2021 and leads the firm’s Tax Incentives and Credits practice, specializing in reChelsea Smith search and development credits, cost segregation studies and other strategic tax opportunities. She also maintains a tax compliance portfolio and advises clients across a range of industries. The company said her advancement reflects both her technical excellence and leadership readiness. She is known for her strategic approach, transparent leadership style and commitment to developing rising professionals within the firm.
AGRICULTURE
• The Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the largest general farm and ranch organization in the state, with more than 37,000 member families, has promoted Sadie Sweat as vice president of organization. She succeeds Susan Furner, who is retiring at the end of May. Sweat will lead the farm Sadie Sweat bureau’s efforts in leadership development, consumer engagement and professional development among staff. Additional responsibilities include managing select office staff. Sweat was originally hired as the administrative assistant and event planner for the UFBF in 2021 and assisted elected leadership, coordinated UFBF’s annual convention, and more. Sweat grew up on a small family farm raising cows, pigs and horses. She earned a degree in communications from Utah Valley University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.
ARTS
• Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City, has announced that Adam Sklute, its artistic director, will retire at the end of the 202627 season, his 20th year at the helm of the company. The announcement marks the end of the longest artistic directorship in Ballet West’s histoAdam Sklute ry. Sklute joined Ballet West in 2007 and has since led the company through a period of sustained growth that has reshaped the company’s national profile. During his leadership, the operating budget has nearly tripled, the subscription base has grown against national trends, and the company has expanded its touring presence to major venues across the country. An international search will be conducted by Michael M. Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management and president emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts, who will work with the board of directors in identifying a successor to Adam. Ballet West presents classical masterpieces, historic works and new creations. Through the Frederick Q. Lawson Ballet West Academy, Ballet West trains the next generation of ballet artists and audiences in classical technique. The company also offers a large outreach and education program.
HEALTHCARE
• Halia Therapeutics, a Lehi-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies that target inflammasome-driven disease biology, has appointed Dr. Han Myint as chief medical officer. Myint will lead Halia’s global clinical developDr. Han Myint ment, medical affairs and safety strategy as the company prepares to advance ofirnoflast into pivotal development and progresses its broader pipeline. Myint has more than three decades of experience spanning academic medicine, biotechnology and global pharmaceutical organizations,
with deep expertise in hematologic malignancies, oncology drug development and late-stage clinical strategy. Throughout his career, he has led the development of innovative therapies across solid tumors, hematologic cancers and cellular immunotherapy programs, with experience advancing candidates from early-stage research through regulatory approval and commercialization. His experience includes serving as chief medical officer of NextCure Inc. and NexImmune Inc.; holding senior leadership roles at Celgene Corp. (now part of Bristol Myers Squibb), including global myeloid disease lead and co-chair of the Global Myeloid Franchise Team; serving as an academic hematologist-oncologist and stem cell transplant physician; serving as professor of medicine and director of stem cell transplantation and the Hematological Malignancies Program at the University of Colorado, Denver; and holding academic leadership roles at Rush University Medical Center.
MANUFACTURING
• YESCO, a Salt Lake City-based company that creates, repairs and maintains signs, has appointed Joel Warden as vice president and northwest regional manager. He succeeds Robert L. Short, who announced his retirement from the role and will Joel Warden continue with YESCO as a fleet manager. Warden has more than 30 years of experience in sign production, project management and sales leadership as well as a 15-year career with YESCO. His portfolio includes some recognizable landmarks and branding initiatives, including leading multi-location efforts for Bank of Utah and Altabank, managing the installation of prominent LED pylon signs at Traverse Mountain Outlets and Valley Grove, and overseeing the reconstruction of the iconic 80-foot-tall bowling pin on Salt Lake City’s State Street. Warden’s education includes a bachelor’s in communications from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University.
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. Taste of Red Iguana has opened in Downtown Daybreak, at 5434 W. Center Field Drive, South Jordan. It’s the first expansion of the well-known Red Iguana out of downtown Salt Lake City. It offers many of the same iconic bold flavors, rich culture and its signature vibe to Downtown Daybreak. The grand opening was held on May 14 Hounds Town USA has opened its first Utah location in Midvale, bringing its interactive dog daycare, boarding and pet spa services to the Salt Lake City area. Owned by local entrepreneurs Joel and Robyn Merrill, the location features Hounds Town’s signature pack-play model, which focuses on supervised group play and canine behavior to provide structured socialization and enrichment for dogs of all breeds, sizes and temperaments. It’s located at 75 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale. Want to see your business reported here? Send news or a release to nowopen@ slbusinessjournal.com.
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12 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
INDUSTRY BRIEFS Industry Briefs Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
AGRICULTURE
• Gov. Spencer Cox on May 15 signed an executive order declaring a 30-day state of emergency in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Utah and Weber counties due to crop losses caused by freezing temperatures. The order will remain in effect for 30 days unless extended by the Legislature. Freezing temperatures on April 3, 4, 17 and 18 damaged crop production in affected areas, with weather stations recording temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit for more than eight hours. Apricots, sweet and tart cherries, plums, peaches, pears and apples suffered between 95 percent and 100 percent loss. Wheat and alfalfa producers in these counties are also experiencing production losses. The freeze is expected to affect agricultural producers, consumers, local markets and the seasonal workforce that relies on the annual harvest.
ASSOCIATIONS
• NAIOP Utah, the state’s professional association of commercial real estate developers, owners and investors, has named Braden Moore as president of the Utah chapter, effective in June. Moore is vice president and project executive at Big-D Construction, based in Braden Moore Salt Lake City. As chapter president, Moore will lead the NAIOP Utah board of directors and work to advance the association’s mission of promoting responsible commercial real estate development across the state. Under his leadership, the chapter will place a strong emphasis on legislative advocacy, championing policies that support a healthy commercial real estate environment in Utah, as well as deepening the chapter’s commitment to community impact and meaningful engagement across the industry. Moore has more than 20 years of construction industry experience, having begun his career in the field as a laborer and carpenter apprentice. He rose through the ranks at Big-D Construction, serving as national project development director before being promoted to vice president of the Salt Lake City Group in 2023. Moore has been an active member of the NAIOP Utah board.
CONSTRUCTION
• Okland Construction, a Salt Lake City-based, family-owned, privately held general contractor, is expanding its ownership structure to include its team mem-
bers through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Bill Okland, CEO, said the change “is about strengthening that foundation, not replacing it. The people who have helped us grow now have the opportunity to share in that success.” Under the new structure, Okland will remain family-led, with its leadership team, operations and long-term strategy unchanged. The partial ESOP introduces a way for team members to participate in the company’s future through a company-funded ownership benefit designed to build long-term value over time. The ESOP is designed as a long-term retirement benefit, complementing existing compensation and benefits while reinforcing the company’s commitment to its team and culture. Founded in 1918, Okland has a team of more than 1,300 professionals delivering complex projects in healthcare, advanced technology, sports, higher education and commercial development across the Southwest and Mountain West.
CORPORATE
• 401GO, a fintech company focused on the retirement industry, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 36,030-square-foot campus at Towne Ridge Center’s Tower 1 at 9680 State St., Sandy. The move represents a six-fold increase in physical footprint from the company’s previous 6,000-square-foot office. The new headquarters serves as a central hub for the company’s mission to provide seamless, tech-forward retirement solutions to its current, and growing, list of over 6,000 clients nationwide. The new headquarters features expanded workspaces, wellness and mother’s rooms, collaborative areas, and spaces to recharge. The company recently closed a $33 million Series B funding round and surpassed the 100-employee milestone.
DIVIDENDS
• The board of directors of Extra Space Storage Inc., based in Salt Lake City, has declared a second-quarter 2026 dividend of $1.62 per share on the common stock of the company. The dividend is payable June 30 to stockholders of record June 15. The company is a self-managed real estate investment trust that owns and/or operates 4,344 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 3 million units. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States. • The board of directors of Zions Bancorporation NA has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 45 cents per common share. The dividend is payable May 21 to shareholders of record May 14. The board also declared the regular quarterly cash dividend on the company’s Series A perpetual preferred shares. The cash divi-
dends on the preferred shares are payable June 15 to shareholders of record June 1. The board also has authorized share repurchases of up to $225 million of the company’s common stock for the remainder of 2026, which would bring the fullyear share repurchase target to $300 million. The timing and amounts of any such actions will depend on market conditions, regulatory requirements, and other factors or uncertainties and may be updated at the discretion of the board. Zions operates banks in 11 western states.
HEALTHCARE
• Gold Cross Ambulance, a Salt Lake City-based company offering emergency response services in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado, has received national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). Gold Cross received a perfect score during the process, demonstrating its commitment and devotion to patient care and safety. The accreditation places Gold Cross Ambulance Service in the top 1 percent of ambulance services in the country. Gold Cross is the only ambulance provider in the state to achieve the national distinction. The ambulance provider serves Salt Lake, Uintah, Utah, Washington and Iron counties. In addition, it offers assistance to neighboring states when requested. Gold Cross is the only ambulance provider in the state to achieve the national distinction. The process of accreditation includes a comprehensive self-assessment over several months and an independent outside review of the entire operation. Once achieved, the three-year accreditation is considered a “gold standard” among modern emergency medical service providers and often exceeds the standards established by state or local regulations. Now in its 58th year, Gold Cross Ambulance provides basic life support, paramedic, critical care, neonatal, bariatric, event management standby, mass casualty care and 911 services.
INTERNATIONAL
• World Trade Center Utah, a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to accelerate growth for Utah companies through a global network, programs and services, has announced the appointment of Nate Callister to its board of directors. Callister is president and CEO of Zions Bank and Nate Callister an executive vice president of Zions Bancorporation, based in Salt Lake City. He has more than 25 years of commercial banking leadership experience, including serv-
ing as head of commercial and corporate banking at Zions. He has served in many community leadership roles, including as board chair of the Salt Lake Chamber. Founded in Utah in 1873, Zions Bank operates 95 full-service branches in Utah and 26 branches in Idaho and Wyoming.
INVESTMENTS
• Govineer Solutions, a Provo-based provider of mission-critical software and payments solutions for local governments, has announced a growth investment from TA Associates, a Boston-based global private equity firm. The amount was not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Upon completion of the transaction, Peterson Partners, based in Salt Lake City, will fully exit its stake in Govineer, while the existing Govineer management team and employees will retain a meaningful ownership position in the business. The investment will support Govineer’s evolution into an AI-powered operating system for local government entities. Govineer’s platform of businesses today serve more than 2,300 towns, municipalities, and special districts across 43 states.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Doba, a Salt Lake City-based dropshipping platform, has announced a partnership with “.store” to provide Doba members with a free one-year professional domain, helping entrepreneurs using AI tools launch branded storefronts and establish a stronger identity beyond third-party marketplaces. Doba said that by combining product sourcing, AI-powered store setup and access to a professional retail-focused domain, Doba is making it easier for merchants to move from simply listing products to building brands of their own. Through the new offering, Doba members can source products from Doba’s network of verified suppliers, launch a storefront quickly with Doba’s AI Store Builder and Shopify integration, secure a professional “.store” domain to strengthen brand identity, and begin building direct customer relationships through an owned online presence.
RECOGNITIONS
• The Nucleus Institute recently hosted the 2026 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology awards ceremony at the Utah State Capitol. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson presented medals to four individuals whose contributions to K-12 education, research, industry and government have made a lasting impact on Utah and beyond. Recipients
May 25, 2026 | 13
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
NEWS ROUNDUP News Roundup are Teresa Hislop (K12 Education), D. Kip Solomon (Academia/ Research), Jennifer Hwu (Industry) and Jed Hancock (Government). Hislop is a 30year educator devoted Teresa Hislop to experiential STEM learning, including organizing immersive field experiences that bring science to life in unforgettable ways and by serving as a generous colleague and mentor. Hislop teaches eighth-grade science at Kip Solomon the Ogden Preparatory Academy. She received degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. Solomon is a hydrologist who has pioneered novel methods to understand water. Currently the Francis Brown Jennifer Hwu Endowed Chair in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah, he has developed innovative methods for determining groundwater age and invented water sampling technologies used internationally. Jed Hancock His education includes degrees in geology and geological engineering from the University of Utah. Hwu is co-founder, president and CEO of InnoSys Inc.; has pushed the boundaries of high-frequency power amplifiers for space, telecommunications, aerospace, avionics and terrestrial applications; and is a pioneer in extreme environment electronics. She has led numerous research and development projects for the Department of Defense/War, Department of Energy, NASA and other agencies, resulting in products that are designed and manufactured at InnoSys’s facility in Salt Lake City. She also is a former tenured professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Utah. Hancock is president of the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, with a background in electrical engineering and optical science. Under his leadership, SDL developed the camera suite for NASA’s Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission, the first U.S. mission to return samples from an asteroid to Earth. Since
2021, SDL has grown from approximately 800 employees to more than 1,300 today, with revenues increasing to over $354 million in 2025.
RESTAURANTS
• Konala, a fast-food franchise serving high-protein bowls, will have its grand opening event at 210 W. Cougar Blvd. (1230 N.), Provo, at a former Arby’s building on May 28, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Set to open this summer, the new store is owned and operated by Tyson Adams, along with his parents, Melanie and Laird. Adams has years of restaurant leadership experience, from launching his own food truck to earning Jersey Mike’s Manager of the Year honors in Washington state. Konala was founded in 2023. • Village Baker, based in Salt Lake City, is expanding beyond Utah as part of its evolution as a franchise concept, targeting growth in western and southern markets, including Idaho, Arizona (Phoenix), Colorado and Texas. Founded in 1994, the brand currently operates eight locations, including one corporate store. It is a fast-casual, from-scratch bakery café specializing in sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza and baked goods.
RETAIL
• Holladay Hills, a 58-acre mixeduse development on the east bench of Salt Lake City, is welcoming several new tenants: including Kiln, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, Magnolia Bakery, The Sicilian Butcher, Sploot Veterinary Care and more. This will be the first Magnolia Bakery franchise in the United States, and Sploot Veterinary Care will debut its first Utah location, with both expected to open by the end of May. The Sicilian Butcher will also mark its first location in the state. Bobby’s Burgers and Kiln have recently opened. Kiln, a flex office and coworking community, has opened a 52,000-square-foot workspace and lifestyle hub. Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay features a fully made-to-order menu, including “Crunchified” burgers. Magnolia Bakery is a New York-based bakery known for its classic American desserts. The Sicilian Butcher, Craft Meatballs and Charcuterie Bar offers a choose-your-own meatball and buildyour-own charcuterie board experience. It has seven locations across Arizona, Texas and Tennessee. Sploot Veterinary Care will be opening its first Utah clinic, combining primary and urgent care services under one roof and being open 365 days a year. Holladay Hills is a joint venture among Woodbury Corp., Millrock Capital LLC and Ball Ventures.
Salt Lake Realtors to award $240,000 in grants to first-time homebuyers The Salt Lake Board of Realtors (SLBR) has announced it will give a total of $240,000 in down payment assistance to first-time home buyers during 2026. The grants are part of the American Dream program launched by the SLBR in 2019. First-time buyers who work with a Realtor who is a member of SLBR are eligible to apply for a $10,000 American Dream grant. Recipients must meet program requirements, including a credit score above 640 and a household income at or below $141,400. Grants are awarded
through a random drawing. “Helping first-time buyers achieve homeownership strengthens our communities and creates lasting stability for families,” said Scott Colemere, president of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. “These grants not only provide financial assistance but also demonstrate the generosity and commitment of Realtors to giving back.” So far this year, eight $10,000 grants have been awarded. The next four grants will be announced in May. Realtors can apply for their qualifying clients online at the Salt Lake Board of Realtors website.
ARUP Labs launches infectious disease trends tracking dashboard Salt Lake City-based ARUP Laboratories has announced the launch of its National Infectious Disease Test Positivity Trends Dashboard, a tool it developed to track laboratory test positivity trends for multiple pathogens. ARUP said the dashboard is the only tracking device of its kind. The dashboard uses test results with the patients’ names removed to reveal national trends that may help clinical laboratories, medical directors and clinicians detect unusual patterns, seasonal shifts and emerging infectious disease activity earlier. “As a national reference laboratory, ARUP sees enough testing volume to identify meaningful trends for certain pathogens. This dashboard was designed to give our clients, laboratories and clinicians information they can use to make better decisions for their patients,” said Dr. Ben Bradley, medical director of the Institute for Research and Innovation. Bradley said he recognized the utility of a dashboard through several real-world situations in which ARUP detected elevated positivity rates before official public health alerts were issued. For example, during the 2024 pertussis surge, ARUP observed a spike in positivity rates months before clinicians recognized the outbreak. He said the delay in recognition leads to
delays in testing and diagnosis. The new dashboard aims to close this information gap with timely, aggregated test results trends available publicly online. The dashboard features maps and charts drawn from ARUP’s test results and is refreshed weekly. It has pathogen-specific pages accessible through a navigation menu. A “Key Information” box directs users to specific data points. ARUP said it designed the dashboard with strict privacy and security safeguards. All data presented are fully de-identified, and interactivity is intentionally limited. “Our team designed this dashboard with patient and client protection at the center. We are deeply committed to sharing knowledge and equally committed to safeguarding the trust our clients place in ARUP. This dashboard reflects both of those priorities,” said Jenna Rychert, ARUP director of laboratory and clinical IT and medical director of microbial immunology. Founded in 1984, ARUP Laboratories is a national reference laboratory and a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and its Department of Pathology. It offers more than 3,000 tests and test combinations, ranging from routine screening tests to esoteric molecular and genetic assays.
Local charities receive donations from Subaru
Nate Wade Subaru donated $33,060 to two local charities as part of the Subaru “Share the Love” event. Customers who purchased or leased a new vehicle from Nov. 20, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026, could choose to direct a $250 donation to one of four national charity partners or the dealership’s two local hometown charities: Utah Honor Flight and ALS United Rocky Mountain. Utah Honor Flight received $17,280, which will allow a group of veterans the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The donation will cover the cost of the flight, hotel, food and tour buses. ALS United Rocky Mountain received a check for $15,780, which will go toward quality-of-life care for those affected, including wheelchairs and communication software.
14 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
CALENDAR Calendar Information about upcoming events may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
May 26-27
Project Alta: The 47G AAM Summit, a 47G event, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the University of Utah and focused on scaling aircraft production and activating the infrastructure required for deployment. May 26 focuses on the supply chain, manufacturing ecosystem and production readiness required to bring advanced air mobility aircraft to market at scale. May 27 centers on the infrastructure and integration required to operationalize advanced air mobility. Location is Ken Garff University Club at Rice-Eccles Stadium, 451 S. 1400 E., Salt Lake City. Cost is $50 for 47G members and $100 for nonmembers for the full summit; $30 for members and $60 for nonmembers for single days. Details are at https://www.47g. org/projectaltasummit/.
May 26, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Women in Business Luncheon, an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Speakers Reid Thompson and Cecily Kiss of the Ogden Downtown Alliance will discuss “Building Connections, Collaboration & Community.” Location is Jeremiah’s Lodge & Garden, 1329 W. 12th St., Marriott-Slaterville. Cost is $25 for members and first-time guests, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at ogdenweberchamber.com.
May 26, noon-1 p.m.
“Massive Marketing Mistake You’re Probably Making,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event that takes place online. Details are at wbcutah.org.
May 27 and June 2
“AI Master Class,” a Salt Lake Chamber event. First session May 27 at 1:30-3 p.m. is “AI 101: From Hype to Practical Business Value” and takes place online. Second session June 2 at 9-11 a.m. is “Operationalizing AI, From Use Case to Scaled Deployment” and takes place at the Salt Lake Chamber, 201 S. Main St., Suite 2300, Salt Lake City. Presenters are Aaron Rieke, senior partner at Clarion AI Partners and a lawyer-technologist; and Brennett B. Borden, founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners, lawyer, data scientist and global authority on the legal, technological and business implications of artificial intelligence. Cost is $49 for individual sessions, $75 for both. Details are at slchamber.com.
May 27, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Chamber Connections,” a Davis Chamber of Commerce event. Location is the Davis Chamber, 450 S. Simmons Way, Suite 220, Kaysville. Details are at davischamberofcommerce.com.
May 27, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
ing “Two Forbes Fastest-Growing Companies, a Lifetime Achievement Award and He’s Still Building.” Location is Silicon Slopes, 2600 W. Executive Parkway, No. 140, Lehi. Details are at siliconslopes.com.
May 27, 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.
May 27, 6-7 p.m.
“Driving Website Traffic for Free,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
May 27, 6-7:30 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.
May 28, 2-3 p.m.
“Don’t Raise VC, But If You Do, Here’s How,” a Silicon Slopes workshop event featuring Trent Mano. Location is Silicon Slopes, 2600 W. Executive Parkway, No. 140, Lehi. Details are at siliconslopes.com.
May 28, 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.
May 29, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
“HB44 Collaborative Forum: Implementing Utah’s School Cybersecurity Amendments,” a Utah Cyber Alliance event in which Utah IT leaders will provide practical HB44 compliance guidance at the alliance’s first event. Speakers are Utah Rep. Ryan Wilcox; Niel Nickolaisen, former CISO, Utah State University, and former CIO, Western Governors University; and Spencer Jenkins, Utah Education Network. Location is Pelion Venture Partners, 14761 Future Way, Suite 500, Draper. Details are at siliconslopes.com.
June 2, 10 a.m.
“Business 101: Essential Steps for New Entrepreneurs,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event that takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
June 3, 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 3, 5-7 p.m.
“Business After Hours,” a Salt Lake Chamber event. Location is Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, 20 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Free for members and $30 for nonmembers until May 29, $20 for members and $40 for nonmembers the week of the event. Details are at slchamber.com.
June 4, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
UrbanPlan Workshop – Southern Utah, a ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah event featuring interactive simulation that places participants in the role of real estate developers responding to a fictional RFP to redevelop a 5½-block site in the city of “Yorktown” and craft a redevelopment proposal that balances community interests, political pressures and economic realities. Location is St. George City Hall at Town Square, 61 S. Main St., St. George. Details are at https://utah.uli.org/events-2.
June 4, 9-10:30 a.m.
“Sweets & Strategies,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event. Location is Roots Coffee, 774 S. 300 W., Salt Lake City. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
June 4, 9:30 a.m.-noon
AI Innovation Summit, a Women Tech Council event with the theme “AI Won’t Wait.” Event features a look at the AI-driven economy; trend insights reshaping companies, jobs and the talent landscape; panels and TED-style talks from practitioners in the field; and practical AI tools that can be used starting the same day you open your laptop. Location is Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point, 2975 S. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi. Cost is $35. Details are at https://luma.com/kw52czd1.
June 4, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
“Bites & Insights” Lunch, a ULI (Urban Land Institute) Utah event. Location is Hunt Electric Technology Building, 1811 Alexander St., Salt Lake City. Free. Details are at https://utah.uli.org/events-2.
“Make Your Point. Make It Matter,” a Women in Tech & Science (WITS) event. Speaker Katherine Matsumoto will discuss the power of storytelling. Location available upon registration. Event is open to anyone who supports women in STEM. Details are at https://luma.com/4s98v52f.
June 3, 9-10:30 a.m.
June 7-9
June 2, noon-1 p.m.
“Starting Your Business 101,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
“The ‘Best State’ for Families,” a Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce event that focuses on Utah earning many “Best States” awards yet consistently ranking at the bottom for women’s equality. Participants will learn how Utah Valley residents perceive these and other critical issues and how they can change the future for women, girls and families in the community. Location is Altabank, 2174 W. Grove Parkway, Pleasant Grove. Cost is $15. Details are at thechamber.org.
“DisruptHR Salt Lake City 9.0,” featuring 10 speakers (five minutes each) and panel discussions. Location is The Rooftop, 139 Hunter’s Grove Lane, Lehi. Cost is $79.95. Details are at https://lnkd. in/gneBhsrU. Registration can be completed at Eventbrite.com.
May 27, noon-1 p.m.
June 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Start School,” a Silicon Slopes event featuring David Bradford discuss-
with the theme “The Resources You Never Knew You Had: Utilizing SBA Programs, Funding and Free Business Support.” Location is Blair Education Conference Center, 900 Round Valley Drive, Park City. Details are at https://www.parkcitychamber.com/events/.
June 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wasatch Back Business University, a Park City Chamber/Bureau event
“Beyond26,” presented by Pax8, which is unveiling a go-to-market system for the digital workforce economy — moving beyond AI experimentation to actual monetization. Keynotes will feature company leadership outlining how partners have now become the last mile of intelligence for SMBs. Location is Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Cost is $499. Details are at https://www.pax8beyond.com/.
June 9, 8-10:30 a.m.
“The Founder’s Blind Spots: Where Legal, Tax and Wealth Planning Actually Break Down,” the second event in DBD Investment Bank’s 2026 Executive
Event Series. Session brings together legal, tax and wealth planning professionals who specialize in identifying the structural vulnerabilities that most owners don’t know they have. Panel will be moderated by Iliya Zogovic, CEO of DBD Investment Bank. Location is Laurel Brasserie at the Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Registration can be completed at https://luma.com/u35mo7ir.
June 9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
2026 Nonprofit & Small Business Lunch and Learn, a Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Utah Food Bank, 1900 W. 900 S., Springville. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Details are at thechamber.org.
June 10, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Annual Golf Classic, a ChamberWest members-only event. Location is Stonebridge Golf Club, 4415 Links Drive, West Valley City. Details to be announced at chamberwest.com.
June 10, 10 a.m.
“Marketing Playbook,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event with the theme “Social Media 101: Building and Maintaining Your Business’ Social Media Presence.” Event takes place online. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
June 10, 5-7 p.m.
“Business After Hours,” an Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce event. Location is Jo Jo Bowls, 252 25th St., Ogden. Free for members and first-time guests, $35 for nonmembers. Details are at ogdenweberchamber.com.
June 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Online Marketing Fundamentals,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
June 11, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
“Employer Tax Workshop,” a Small Business Development Center event. Location is Salt Lake SBDC at Salt Lake Community College. Cost is $24. Details are at https://clients.utahsbdc.org/events. aspx.
June 11, 8:30 a.m.
Women in Business Breakfast, a South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce event. Speaker Cherie Wood, mayor of South Salt Lake, will discuss “People-Centered Leadership.” Location is Salt Lake Culinary Education, 2233 S. 300 E., Salt Lake City. Cost is $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers. Details are at sslchamber.com.
June 11, 9-10:30 a.m.
“Sweets & Strategies,” a Women’s Business Center of Utah event. Location is Roots Coffee, 51 N. 100 W., Payson. Free. Details are at wbcutah.org.
June 11, 6-8 p.m.
“Business Essentials,” a Small Business Development Center event that takes place online. Details are at https://clients. utahsbdc.org/events.aspx.
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.
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SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL
June 17, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
“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, 9 a.m.-2:30 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: Prac-
tical 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, 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, 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.
June 17, 6-8 p.m.
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 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 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, 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 24, 3-5 p.m.
“Timberwood Creek: Hybrid Mass Timber Housing Tour,” providing an indepth 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.
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16 | May 25, 2026
SALT LAKE BUSINESS JOURNAL