Speakers
As presenters are confirmed, we'll update this page.
Governor, State of Utah
Spencer J. Cox
Gov. Spencer Cox grew up in rural Utah, and his family lived and farmed in Sanpete County for six generations. Until he was elected governor, he lived in Fairview and commuted 200 miles almost daily to maintain his rural residence during his eight years of service as Utah’s lieutenant governor.
Many of his administration’s One Utah Roadmap strategic priorities will be discussed at the summit, including economic advancement, education innovation and investment, rural matters, equity and opportunity, and how the state’s streamlining and modernizing government.
Lieutenant Governor, State of Utah
Deidre M. Henderson
Deidre Henderson became Utah’s ninth Lt. Gov. in January 2021. Before her election to the second-highest office in the state, she served for eight years in the Utah State Senate representing South Utah County. During her years in the Senate, Lt. Gov. Henderson gained a reputation as a strong conservative, a champion for government transparency, and a vocal advocate for women and families.
She served as chair of the Senate Rules Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Education Committee. Her efforts gained recognition by numerous civic groups, including Legislator of the Year by the Fraternal Order of Police and Taxpayer Advocate of the Year by the Utah Taxpayers Association. In 2020 she was named a Libertas Institute Defender of Liberty.
First Lady, State of Utah
Abby Cox
As Utah’s first lady, Abby Cox hopes to inspire Utahns to break down the barriers that separate people from treating one another as equals. She is an outspoken advocate for connecting through our differences and combating the empathy crisis our country faces.
She uses her platform to convene, contribute and champion social and emotional learning, statewide service, foster care awareness, and sporting opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities. Cox is active in her community through her involvement with the Utah PTA, church youth groups, and service to the homeless.
Assistant Vice President, Southern Utah University
Stephen Lisonbee
Stephen Lisonbee has been involved in economic and workforce development in Utah for over 20 years. He's a recognized leader who develops relationships and partnerships. As assistant vice president of the Office of Regional Services at Southern Utah University, he oversees departments and centers focused on community, economic, and workforce development programs and partnerships. Lisonbee assumed leadership roles in impactful and high-profile statewide initiatives, including the Utah Rural Summit, Learn & Work In Utah, Operation Rio Grande, Intergenerational Poverty, 25K Jobs, Utah Employability to Careers, and others.
Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Craig Buttars
Craig W Buttars, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, most recently served as the Cache County Executive for the past 6 years. Early in his married life he became involved in the Utah Farm Bureau and served there as the State Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chairman and later the Cache County Farm Bureau President. These experiences led to an opportunity to run for the state Legislature in 1996, at which time he was elected to represent Utah House District #3. He served in the State Legislature for 10 years, from 1997 to 2006. While in the Legislature, he chaired two House standing committees, the House Government Operations and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. He was a member of the Natural Resources and Environment Appropriations Committee for eight years.
After his legislative service, he was elected to the Cache County Council representing the North District of Cache County. Buttars remained on the County Council from 2008 to 2014. He was elected Cache County Executive in 2014 and has been serving there since 2015.
Buttars has been awarded the Legislative Distinguished Service Award by the Utah Farm Bureau as well as other awards from the Future Farmers of America, Boy Scouts of America and the Richmond Black and White Days.
Buttars is a lifelong resident of Cache County. He attended Ricks College (BYU-I) and Bridgerland Area Vocational Center (Bridgerland Technical College). He spent the majority of his career as a dairy farmer prior to becoming County Executive at which time he sold the dairy operation to his brother and nephew. He lives in Smithfield with his wife Shara. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
President & CEO, World Trade Center Utah
Miles Hansen
Miles Hansen is the president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, an organization dedicated to promoting prosperity across the state by attracting investment and increasing exports. Before joining World Trade Center Utah, he was the director for Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council in the White House.
Hansen also served diplomatic tours at the U.S. Consulate in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; at the U.S. Embassy Yerevan, Armenia, and; in the Iran Regional Presence Office at U.S. Consulate General Dubai. Before joining the State Department as a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow, Hansen started his career in Utah as a special assistant in the Lieutenant Governor's office.
Executive Director, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Dan Hemmert
Dan Hemmert serves as the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity executive director, where he is responsible for implementing Gov. Cox’s vision of economic opportunity and prosperity for Utahns.
Hemmert was selected to serve as Go Utah’s executive director based on his previous business and legislative experience. He’s been a C-level executive at a successful venture-backed startup, a private equity investment professional, and managed a private asset management firm.
At his appointment, Hemmert served in the Utah State Senate, where he was the Senate Majority Whip. He is a strong advocate for Utah and brings his unique perspective and skills to advocate for the state.
Managing Director of Business Services, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Ryan Starks
Ryan Starks is the managing director of business services at the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah). He oversees the office’s small-business and rural development initiatives. The business services team includes the following initiatives: Center for Rural Development, International Trade and Diplomacy, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Utah Broadband Center, Utah Immigration Assistance Center, Utah Innovation Center, and the state's federal Opportunity Zones program.
Before joining Go Utah, Starks was the economic development director in Wasatch County and the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office executive director. He previously worked in the UGovernor’s Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. Starks also works as an adjunct professor of management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.
His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management at Brigham Young University.
Starks and his wife have four children and live in South Jordan, Utah. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, and spending time with his family and friends.