Wm. James Mortimer, president and publisher of the Deseret News, has received the Professional Achievement Award from the Partners in Business program of the Utah State University College of Business and the Alumni Association.
Mortimer, a 1954 graduate of Utah State, was appointed to the position as publisher in 1985. He received the USU Alumnus of the Year Award that same year. He currently serves as Salt Lake representative on the USU Alumni Association Board.While a student at USU, Mortimer was editor of the student newspaper for two years. After graduation he spent two years in the Army and then received a master's degree from Columbia University.
During his career, he has been an executive of the Deseret News, Deseret News Press, Wheelwright Lithographing, Deseret Book and the printing services division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Active in civic and service groups, he is former chairman of the board of governors of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
He is married to the former Paula Deline, and they have seven children.