Building Utah

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Utah Film Center believes that “Good Film Makes Better Humans” and utilizes the power of film to educate, inspire, and engage Utahns. Executive Director Mariah Mellus joins us with more. MARIAH MELLUS: For over twenty years, Utah Film Center has supported the community by connecting people, stories, and ideas through film exhibitions, media arts education, and artist support. We believe utilizing film encourages spaces for learning and enhances an organization's work and culture -- welcoming people to feel creatively inspired. We know businesses understand that diversity and inclusion are a driver for success. Employees are more creative and innovative, customers feel better understood, and the community benefits greatly. Utah Film Center is a resource for companies curious about creating opportunities for better engagement through film curation. Additionally, Utah Film Center is gearing up our international film and media arts festival for kids. The Tumblew

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. In October 2022, Governor Cox proposed a new vision to build a Utah Trail Network to connect communities in ways that provide transportation choices for everyone to commute, recreate and enjoy. Utah Department of Transportation Executive Director Carlos Braceras joins us with more. CARLOS BRACERAS: When Utahns walk, bike, or roll outside, they connect. And when people are together, we’re happy. That’s why UDOT is so excited about Governor Cox’s proposal for the State to build and maintain a network of trails that will connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations and communities throughout the state. We’re inspired by trail planning and development efforts in Utah communities, which are bringing people together. We hope to help connect these communities, creating a cohesive trail network as part of Utah’s transportation system. This dedicated trail network will offer additional transportation choices for those who either cannot or choose not to

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Premier business and litigation law firm, Snow Christensen & Martineau, has an environment of caring that supports and guides the 136-year-old Utah institution. Here is Shareholder Robert Cummings with more. ROBERT CUMMINGS: Snow Christensen & Martineau is committed to making a difference for the community we have served for over a century. Our “Snow Cares” campaign encourages our attorneys to volunteer with local community and civic organizations to maintain our longstanding commitment to service, diversity, and giving back to Utah. As but one example, we are long-standing supporters of Ronald McDonald House, where many past and present attorneys have served on the Board of Directors. Ronald McDonald House provides tremendous service to families in need with seriously ill or injured children making it an organization we care about and remains close to our hearts. Along with volunteer work, the Snow Christensen & Martineau Foundation donates to numerous charit

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Salvation Army in Salt Lake City has been supporting those in need in our community since 1865. Thousands of Utahns receive assistance each year through a broad array of social services. Corps Officer Lt. Kate Combs tells us more. LT KATE COMBS: The overall mission of The Salvation Army is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Here in Salt Lake Corps, we do this through a number of different services, including: a client choice food pantry, material assistance, such as hygiene products, coats and, blankets, daily hot meal program; utility assistance, a summer day camp, and regular church activities. Many people are familiar with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle during the Christmas Season and we are grateful for those monetary donations we receive, as they help fund our programs year-round. Due to inflation and the rising costs of food & utilities, requests for our services are at an all-time high. In

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Dominion Energy Utah provides safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly sustainable energy to over 1.1 million customers in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. Here is Judd Cook, President of Questar Gas and Dominion Energy Vice President and General Manager of Western Distribution with more. JUDD COOK: Over 1,000 Dominion employees call Utah home and care deeply about Utah and its residents. As a life-long resident of Utah myself, I am passionate about providing exceptional service to our customers, bettering the communities we serve and protecting the environment that we share. It is at the forefront of all that we do. Our company is providing ways to save energy and reduce emissions, through customer programs that support carbon capture and production of renewable natural gas. Customers can save energy with our Thermwise programs, become net zero through our CarbonRight program and invest in renewable natural gas with Greentherm. We support our communities not o

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over 100 years, Altabank has been building enduring relationships with the Utah business community. With locally-based banking teams, Altabank works hard to be responsive to their clients’ ever-changing situations. Here’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking Robert Carpenter to share more. ROBERT CARPENTER: Every day we are reminded that during times of economic uncertainty, it’s reassuring for our clients to know that Altabank genuinely cares about their needs and the needs of their business. Over the past two years, we have supported Utah companies by financing new equipment and real estate. We have also helped may others respond to the challenges of rising costs by providing working capital financing solutions to help them respond to the needs of their customers. No matter what your businesses situation is, Altabank is here to listen and provide ideas to help you succeed. Our bankers also work closely with our clients to help them access the mos

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Project Connection, a local, nonprofit mental health agency was founded on the belief that connection is the foundation of mental health. Executive Director Lennie Knowlton joins us with more about their efforts. LENNIE KNOWLTON A study by The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute found that reported mental health symptoms have increased 30% in Utah since the beginning of the pandemic. The direct outcome of the disconnection we experienced during COVID has been an increase in anxiety, depression, social isolation, and relationship issues. Now more than ever, we need real connection, dependable emotional support, and a feeling of belonging. Our mission is to provide trusted, accessible mental health services and create a network of strong community partners who work with us to help our clients find, foster and celebrate connected lives. In addition to providing outpatient therapy that is evidence-based and trauma-informed, we connect our clients with the people and r

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business It’s Utah Tech Week, a grassroots community celebration of Utah’s tech and startup scene. Startups, VCs, and community organizations put together events to serve Utah’s tech community. Joining us is Val-Pierre Genton, Founder & CEO of Vision to Growth, with more on an upcoming event. VAL-PIERRE GENTON: Did you know stress and overwork cost US businesses over $500 billion dollars per year? There’s a direct connection between stress, anxiety, and depression, and the 50 to 70% of companies that fail within their first 5 to 10 years. On Wednesday, January 25th, we will host a panel discussion on Thriving Under Pressure at Kiln. Hear from the CEOs of Owlet, Homie, Thread Wallets, Taft, and Big Monocle on what mental and emotional pitfalls first-time founders should look out for, how to take care of mental well-being while growing businesses, and available tools and best practices for mental wellness. By helping the next generation of entrepreneurs avoid burnout and

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. The Salt Lake Chamber and Women’s Business Center of Utah have launched the Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator to help diverse small business owners enhance skills, direction and strategy for their businesses. This new cohort program will provide small business owners the opportunity to become more efficient, effective and successful in their businesses by teaching them how to outline milestones for their business strategy, best practices for utilizing a brand style guide, clarifying revenue streams and so much more. Not only that, the Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator will provide a peer-to-peer environment, mastermind groups for support and accountability and weekly project assignments which are immediately implementable into their businesses. The inaugural cohort will launch February 16th. Over the course of seven weeks, attendees will gain experience that can be immediately implemented into their business. To apply, visit the Salt Lake Chamber’s website by

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Since 1986, the Jordan Education Foundation has been dedicated to supporting students and their education in the rapidly growing cities of West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Bluffdale, Herriman and Copperton. Here is Associate Director Anne Gould with more. ANNE GOULD: Jordan Education Foundation is a 501c non-profit entity serving students and teachers in Jordan District. Our mission is to engage the community to provide resources to enhance educational experiences, strengthen students, and fuel success. Our district’s student landscape is diverse and constantly changing. With 40% of the state's refugees arriving in Jordan School District, the Jordan Education Foundation has stepped up to help in any way we can. Currently, we support nearly 58,000 students who attend 68 schools in the Jordan School District. We have an actively involved 30-person board of directors, and the support of a highly engaged and caring community. As a result, JEF has been able

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. In 1997 the Salt Lake Chamber, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, established the Women’s Business Center of Utah to provide services to female entrepreneurs and small business owners. Here is State Director Ann Marie Wallace with more. ANN MARIE WALLACE: The American Dream includes the incredible opportunity to own a business and make a profit. However, the playing field is uneven, and women have been at a disadvantage in accessing capital, obtaining contracts, receiving support and even being taken seriously. For 25 years, the Women’s Business Center of Utah has provided women-focused support services including in-person and virtual one-on-one advising, peer group education and mentorship, as well as e-learning. We have assisted tens of thousands of women entrepreneurs master critical skills to run efficient, effective and profitable businesses. We also host the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory; making it easier to find, buy from

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Since 1989, Squatters Pub Brewery has been a staple in our local community, providing customers with world-class delicious food, handcrafted beer and a welcoming environment. Here’s Salt Lake Brewing Co’s Marketing Manager Rick Seven with more. RICK SEVEN Squatters Pub Brewery, located at 147 West Broadway, is Salt Lake City’s first brewpub and offers a menu of eclectic food with a variety of delicious, locally brewed beers. We also accommodate private events and large gatherings of all kinds in some of the most unique event spaces in downtown Salt Lake. The Potting Shed on our main floor is a great place to host sit-down lunches and dinners. The Loft on our second floor and the Grain Room on our third floor are expansive and contemporary event spaces with private bars, open only to those 21 years and older. Both are equipped with audiovisual capabilities and offer amazing city and mountain views. Host your next event at one of Salt Lake City’s most iconic l

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Judge Deno Himonas (he-moan-us) served for seven years on our state’s highest court and has over 30 years of legal experience. Last March he returned to private practice and is here to share more. DENO HIMONAS: I was excited to join Wilson Sonsini this year to help launch its office in Salt Lake City after I retired from the Utah Supreme Court. Wilson Sonsini is one of the top providers of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises in the world, with deep ties to our community, which led us to open this office. We’ve advised more venture capital firms on Utah-related deals and more Utah-based issuers on IPOs than any other firm since 2016 and it isn’t particularly close. We’re also one of the top law firms for Utah-related mergers and acquisitions. In addition to me, retired Justice Christine Durham joined this year. We have three other partners in the office, including Marc Porter, who focuses on technology, consumer products, and li

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah’s real estate market has experienced some extreme changes over the last several years. Real estate professionals can help you navigate Utah’s ever-changing market. Greg Summerhays, Realtor with Chapman Richards and Associates, joins us today to share more. GREG SUMMERHAYS: Utah recently experienced one of the hottest housing markets in history. Realtors were extremely vital in helping their clients navigate the competitive market over the last several years, and they are even more vital now as the market has shifted and buyers and sellers are scrambling to understand this new normal. Chapman Richards and Associates was formed in 1978 by Scott Chapman and George Richards. We are one of Utah’s largest independent real estate companies, with 60 plus agents averaging over 10 years of experience. The professionalism, longevity, and success of our agents assure you the highest quality of service. We are large enough to have a significant presence in the market,

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Skiing is a multimillion-dollar industry and encouraging people to enjoy our slopes is Ski Utah, the marketing arm of Utah’s ski industry. Here’s Ski Utah’s President Nathan Rafferty with more. NATHAN RAFFERTY Through Ski Utah’s strategic marketing initiatives and creative advertising campaigns, Utah has seen a steady growth in skier visits for more than 40 years. Our mission to inspire the world to Ski Utah, and we are proud that we represent all 15 ski resorts in Utah, as well as the many lodging properties, rental shops, transportation companies and more. Utah’s ski industry provides over 20,000 jobs and contributes more than $2.3 billion in revenue – money that enables the state to lower each household’s tax burden by nearly $1,400 a year. In addition to promoting The Greatest Snow on Earth, Ski Utah aims to foster a love of skiing. One of our efforts is called Utah’s Passport which allows all 4th, 5th and 6th graders to ski up to 3 days at each Utah r

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Steel Encounters is a Utah success story – started four decades ago, it now has 260 employees across the country. Here’s president & CEO Tom Jackson with more. TOM JACKSON: Steel Encounters is an employee-owned building facade contractor and materials supplier headquartered in Salt Lake City. Founded in 1985, our company has completed over two billion dollars in construction services throughout the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Our structural division provides value-added steel joist and deck materials and services. Our Architectural Division installs building envelope glass, metal panel enclosures, and other specialty facades. Our signature building exteriors are visible throughout the valley, including the Salt Lake City International Airport Terminal and Concourses, the Eccles Performing Arts Center, Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Salt Palace, and many downtown highrises, including 95 South State, 111 Main, and the new Hyatt Regency hotel. At every

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has been providing care for more than 100 years – two years ago it launched a new fund-raising campaign to expand its services statewide. Administrator Dustin Lipson shares more. DUSTIN LIPSON: Primary Children’s Hospital is proud to be part of Intermountain Healthcare’s Primary Promise – a transformational campaign to create a national model health system for children. Intermountain Healthcare and major community donors have already secured over $500 million to support the growing health care needs of children in the Intermountain West. We hope to reach $600 million sometime next year. With the money raised so far, Primary Promise has already helped more kids in more communities, simultaneously advancing the care for the sickest children while making healthcare more affordable for families and communities, and improving access to care statewide. Generous business and civic leaders are fueling Primary Promise with

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. People living in war-torn Ukraine face a brutally tough Christmas this year. Fortunately, Utah companies are pitching in to help and seeking your support. Scott Holmes, co-founder of TETON Sports, shares more. SCOTT HOLMES: TETON Sports mission is to help people enjoy the outdoors with durable, comfortable, and affordable camping gear. But we recently recognized that for many Ukrainians, a sleeping bag and tent promise much more than a fun-filled weekend—they are essential for their survival. Frontline soldiers, displaced individuals, and families living in homes with intermittent heat need our help. During this giving season, TETON Sports has partnered with non-profits August Mission and GEM to provide sleeping bags to Ukraine. Just $50 will help us cover 100% of the cost to deliver a winter sleeping bag to a Ukranian in need. We feel fortunate to have major Utah foundations like the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation supporting this effort. If you wan

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Getting the most out of health care often means bringing in social service providers, and Unite Us does just that. Here’s Senior Community Engagement Manager Katie Prawitt with more. KATIE PRAWITT: Unite Us is a technology company that builds coordinated care networks of health and social service providers. With Unite Us’ end-to-end solution, providers across sectors identify social care needs for people, send and receive secure electronic referrals to protect people’s privacy, report on tangible outcomes, and transform payment models within a secure and collaborative ecosystem. Unite Us community engagement teams continue to build sustainable partnerships with local organizations, including Intermountain Healthcare and the Utah 211 essential services system, to ensure networks have solid foundations, launch successfully, and continue to grow and thrive. In Utah, Unite Us is currently working with over 350 nonprofit and community based partners across the

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. There are many great design firms in Utah and one of those is GSBS Architects in Salt Lake City. Kevin Miller, President and CEO, tells us more about what they do. KEVIN MILLER: GSBS Architects has been a local fixture for 44 years. We’ve been blessed to partner with Utah businesses, municipalities, schools, and other entities to enrich lives in very tangible ways. Some of our more familiar local projects include the Olympic Speed Skating Oval, the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Salt Lake Public Safety Building, and the lodge atop Hidden Peak at Snowbird. In our work, GSBS Architects aspires to preserve our planet through sustainable architecture. To beautify our communities through smart landscape design. To promote equity and opportunity through community planning. And to improve people’s well-being through healthy interior and experiential design. Most people never work with an architect, but what we do still affects them directly. We take that re