SALT LAKE CITY — The international community in Utah's capital city grew a little larger Wednesday when the Czech Republic's ambassador to the United States named a new honorary consulate for Salt Lake City.
Jonathon Tichy, a Czech descendant and Utah lawyer, took up the role as honorary consulate.
The Czech Republic is the 25th country to name an honorary consulate in Salt Lake City, joining nations such as Canada, New Zealand, Russia and Mongolia.
Tichy has lived in Utah for several years now, but before settling down next to the mountains, he spent six years abroad.
Tichy worked in the U.S. Embassy in Prague as a political officer and analyst and spent time in Washington, D.C., as a ranking staff member to former Assistant Secretary of State John Shattuck.
While Tichy does not hold diplomatic status as an honorary consulate, the job does come with responsibilities. The new consulate will provide services for any Czech nationals living or staying in Utah, as well as assist the country in fostering greater commercial and cultural exchanges with Utah.
In 2007, Utah exported more than $10 million worth of goods to the Czech Republic. Since 1989, after Czech's Velvet Revolution and the nation's break from the communist Russia, the Czech Republic has been a strong ally to the U.S.
The Czech Consulate's office will be located in the firm of Prince, Yeates & Geldzahler in Salt Lake City, where Tichy works as an attorney.
— Gina Barker