Jeff Gochnour, former director of the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development, has joined The Boyer Co. as senior project manager. Gochnour's responsibilities include manufacturing, distribution developments, commercial development and oversight of Boyer projects in Utah and neighboring states. He is a graduate of the University of Utah and Duke University.
Karen Leonardi has joined Fringe Benefit Analysts, a Utah employee benefits insurance brokerage. Prior to joining Fringe Benefit, Leonardi was a senior account executive and sales manager for a large health care provider. She also serves as president of the Ogden/Weber Chamber Women in Business.
Stuart Young was appointed managing director in Acordia Inc.'s central region. Based in Salt Lake City, Young will be responsible for overseeing the firm's operations in Utah, Idaho and New Mexico. Young began his insurance career in 1973. He is a graduate of Weber State University.
The law firm of Snell & Wilmer announced that two new associates have joined the firm. John B. Fowles will concentrate his practice in commercial litigation. He is a graduate of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and also studied at the University of Oxford. Jason K. Nelsen will concentrate his practice in commercial finance, business and real estate law. He received his law degree from Creighton University.
Salt Lake-based Hamlet Homes announced three staff promotions. Grayson Blackham was promoted to vice president of construction. Blackham has served as homebuilding manager and homebuilding operations manager during his six-year tenure at Hamlet. In his new role, he will oversee all homebuilding operations for the company's communities along the Wasatch Front. Mike Gillett was promoted to operations manager. Gillett was previously the company's homebuilding manager. In his new role, he will oversee all construction activities. Reggie Pendleton was promoted to homebuilding manager. Pendleton will be responsible for all homebuilding activities in Hamlet's communities along the Wasatch Front and will coordinate work between Hamlet's employees and trade contractors.
Gould Evans Associates announced two staff promotions. Rob White was promoted to senior associate. White has nearly 10 years of design and management experience. He is currently at work on the Grand County Community Center. Charles Gaddis was also named senior associate. Gaddis joined the firm three years ago. His new responsibilities include project management and design support.
BJ Mendenhall was named chief financial officer of Morris Murdock Travel. Mendenhall has more than 21 years of finance experience and is a graduate of BYU. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
The law firm of Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy announced that John P. Ashton has joined the firm as a shareholder. Ashton has 32 years of experience helping clients with civil, federal and intellectual property litigation matters.
The law firm of Jones Waldo Holbrook & McDonough announced that Robert C. Gross has joined the firm. Gross is the founding executive director of Utah's Department of Workforce Services. Most recently, he served as a senior adviser to the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for the U.S. Defense Department. At Jones Waldo, Gross will focus his practice in the commercial lending and financial services practice groups.
Tom Bacus was named transportation unit manager for the Carter & Burgess Salt Lake office. Bacus has been with Carter & Burgess for 10 years and has more than 16 years of experience in the planning, design, construction and inspection of heavy railroad, light rail transit and commuter rail transit projects. Bacus is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Michael Asay has joined Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Finance as a commercial real estate relationship manager in the Salt Lake office. Asay will provide construction, acquisition, bridge, redevelopment and mini-perm loans, as well as lines of credit for real estate professionals with investment properties in the region. He is a graduate of BYU.
Kenneth B. Black was appointed to the executive committee at Stoel Rives, a Salt Lake law firm. Black is a member of the firm's litigation practice group, where he assists clients with intellectual property, securities, employment and other complex commercial disputes. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the U.
G. Richard Wilson has retired from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food after 40 years of service. Wilson served most recently as director of the department's Division of Plant Industry. He served as supervisor of the state's Seed Lab and Inspection Program from 1965 until 1978 when he became manager of the Grain, Seed and Feed Program. He held that position until he was named division director in 1990.
The Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group announced significant restructuring of the group. Jay Francis, senior vice president, left the company to become a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pennsylvania. Randy Rigby was promoted to senior vice president of sales and chief marketing officer, in addition to his duties as general manager of KJZZ Television. His team includes Mike Snarr, vice president of sports sales; Grant Harrison, vice president of promotions and game operations; Jim Olson, vice president of ticket sales and VIP services; and Chris Baum, vice president and station manager of KJZZ. Robert G. Hyde, senior vice president of business operations, FANZZ president, general manager of Miller's Rose Ranch and chief financial officer, will also handle KJZZ operations and event creations. His team includes Randy Wright, vice president of KJZZ operations, and Brent Allenbach, vice president of event creation. Scott Williams, senior vice president of facilities, will also serve as Stingers vice president and general manager.