Rodney H. Brady, president and chief executive officer of Deseret Management Corp., former university president and community leader, has been selected to receive Utah's "Citizen Diplomat of the Year" award for 1998.
The award to Brady, who formerly was president and CEO of Bonneville International Corp. and president from 1978 to 1985 of Weber State University, will be presented by the International Visitors Utah Council on Thursday, Sept. 17, at a dinner meeting in the Little America Hotel.Brady will be honored for "contributions and service in the international arena and for support in furthering cultural and economic global ties with Utah," said Rhonda Berg, council executive director.
The council works with foreign embassies and other agencies to bring leaders in other countries for informational visits to the United States. Berg said Brady recognizes a growing council role in international relationships and has supported council efforts to expand its services.
Since April 1996, Brady has been at Deseret Management, a holding company responsible for the commercial businesses owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was vice president of Management Systems Corp. in Massachusetts, vice president for administration and a member of the executive committee of Hughes Tool Co., and from 1970 to 1972 was assistant secretary for administration and management of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
But it was in 1985, when he took leadership of Bonneville International, that he made his greatest contribution to improving international relations, Berg said.
As head of the major broadcasting organization, he "brought integrity back into the industry. His corporate guidelines have instilled quality in broadcasting. He also instituted a program of community service that included donating airtime to nonprofit groups, sponsoring charity events and volunteering time to community pro-jects," Berg said.
Bonneville has hosted hundreds of council visitors through the years. The broadcasting corporation, Berg said, has enhanced Utah's reputation around the world.
Brady received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Utah and a doctorate degree from Harvard University. He holds honorary doctorates from Weber State, Snow College and the U. For more than 20 years he has served in leadership positions, including heading the Cub Scouting program, in the Boy Scouts of America.
Brady has served on numerous industry and corporate boards, including the National Association of Broadcasters, First Security Corp., Deseret Mutual Benefit Association, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Utah Symphony and Utah Opera Company. He was chair-man of the University of Utah National Advisory Council and president of the Utah Chapter, National Society of Sons of the American Revolution.