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BANKING
- Bank of Utah, based in Ogden, has hired Steven Drakulich as vice president relationship manager in the bank’s commercial lending department. Drakulich has almost 20 years of experience in the banking industry, with the majority of that time spent in commercial lending. His expertise includes C&I lending and SBA lending. Drakulich earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Utah Valley University.
CONSTRUCTION
- Big-D Cos., a U.S. contractor and Salt Lake City-based builder, has opened an office at 908 W. 1600 S., St. George. It is the company’s 17th business unit. The interior construction and furnishing of the office was completed by Henriksen Butler. Both Big-D and Henriksen Butler will share the campus with Beecher Walker Architects, Riverwoods Mill, Coppertop Metals, Cosy House, Desert Star Glass and Lovesac. John Kemp, vice president, will lead the operations in St. George. He has over 21 years of industry experience, including in business development, preconstruction, and the construction phases of projects.
- BZI, a Kanarraville-based company focused on construction and technology for building processes, has hired several people for executive positions: Jesus Cadena, chief safety officer; Spencer Douglas, marketing and sales officer Bob Hester, chief human resources officer; John Hollingshaus, chief financial officer; and Stephen Sansom, general counsel. BZI has more than 450 employees. Founded in 2016, its companies include Building Zone Industries LLC, involved in steel erection; BZI Steel LLC, specializing in steel fabrication; and InnovaTech LLC, specializing in designing, engineering and manufacturing innovative construction equipment and processes to enhance efficiency and safety on the job.
CONTESTS
- Applications are being accepted until June 2 for the Utah Manufacturers Association’s Safety Awards. Organizations may apply for three awards: Safety Leader of the Year, Award of Excellence and Superior Safety Award. The Safety Awards Expo takes place June 27. Details are at https://manufacturingutah.com/safety-awards-expo/.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
- Utah is ranked No. 5 among states in the Shopify Entrepreneurship Index, showing where entrepreneurship is thriving across the U.S. and around the globe. The database measures the yhear-over-year economic impact of entrepreneurs in Shopify’s ecosystem based on GDP impact, jobs supported, exports and business activity. The report indicates that Utah’s strengths include 12.7 percent total job growth, 12.6 percent GDP impact growth, and 42.5 percent exports growth.
- Utah is ranked No. 40 on a list of “best states for urban treasure hunters,” compiled by LawnStarter. It compared the states based on the number of geocaching locations, antique shops, storage-unit auctions and metal detecting clubs, among 14 total metrics. It also looked at whether each state allows metal detecting in state parks. On a breakout list, Utah was tied for No. 2 with Alaska and Montana for fewest flea markets. The top-ranked state overall is California. The bottom-ranked state is North Dakota. Details are at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-states-treasure-hunt/.
- Salt Lake City is No. 59 among large cities and West Valley City is No. 44 among small cities for the amount of average apartment space that can be rented for $1,500 per month, based on a report from RentCafe. The Salt Lake City average is 742 square feet. The West Valley City average is 850 square feet. The study showed that for $1,677, the average rent in Salt Lake City, renters can get an apartment of 829 square feet. Among large cities, Wichita, Kansas led the way with a 1,463 square feet for $1,500. The lowest amount is in Manhattan, at 240 square feet. Among small cities, Columbus, Georgia, leads the way, with 1,545 square feet. The amount in Sunnyvale, California, is 405 square feet. Details are at https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/.
- Utah is No. 37 among 39 states in a ranking of “Best States for Beekeeping,” compiled by Lawn Love. It considered 15 metrics, including honey production, colony loss and apiculture classes. Utah is No. 27 for number of beekeepers associations, No. 30 for average annual beekeeper salary, No. 32 for total annual colony loss, and No. 34 for number of farmers markets. California is the overall top-ranked state. Details are at https://lawnlove.com/blog/best-states-for-beekeeping/.
- Utahns can go an average of 11 days without coffee or alcohol, according to a study by CraftCoffeeSpot.com. On average, people in Idaho can go the longest without coffee, at 20 days. People in New Hampshire says it’s two days. Several states have residents who can go the longest without alcohol, at 29 days. Virginia had the smallest amount, at 11 days. Details are at https://craftcoffeespot.com/us-coffee-survey-how-long-can-people-go-without-coffee-or-alcohol/
- Utah is ranked No. 4 on a list of highest SAT scores in 2022, compiled by Scholaroo. The national average score last year was 1050 out of 1600 points. Utah students had an average score of 1233. The top-ranked state is Wisconsin. The bottom-ranked state is West Virginia. Details are at https://scholaroo.com/report/sat-scores-2022-index/.
- Quail Creek Reservoir, in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, is ranked No. 82 on a list of “top 100 secret beaches” in the U.S., compiled by FamilyDestinationsGuide.com. It surveyed families across the U.S. Coming in at No. 1 is Awahua Beach, Hawaii. Details are at https://familydestinationsguide.com/secret-beaches-usa/.
- Utah has 28,670 pets living illegally in rented homes, according to a study by AgentAdvice.com. That equates to 10 percent of pet-owning renters who have not disclosed the pet to their landlords. About 7.7 million pets, or 18 percent, nationally are in that situation. Vermont has the highest percentage, at 50 percent. Indiana has the lowest, at 4 percent. Details are at https://www.agentadvice.com/blog/paws-and-property/.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Eleven people recently graduated from the South Valley Chamber’s KeyBank Business Accelerator program, which helps business owners, managers and leaders “supercharge” their organizations. They are Scott Allen, Brighton Bank; David Peabody, Fastsigns of Murray; Kris James, Femme Moderne Center for Aesthetics Inc.; Brad McCleery, Rocky Mountain Mixers; Lavanya Mahate, Saffron Valley; Anthony Saldarriaga, Smokin’ Butts BBQ; Berlin Bauer, X-Golf Riverton; Luke Zander, Zander Real Estate; Tamra Zander, Zander Real Estate; Mindy Young, Equality Utah; and Ryan Gregerson, RCG Law Group.
- Thirteen women-owned businesses, including five in Utah, have completed the inaugural cohort of the Ascent Training Program, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and its Utah District Office. The Utah and New Mexico district offices launched the program to help women-owned small-business owners grow their business through the no-cost program that combines six weeks of online self-guided learning and six group virtual sessions. Those who completed the program in Region 8, which includes Utah, are Jazmine Duncan, Skate Moab LLC, Castle Valley; Kimberly Flores, fulFILLed, Park City; Lori Nay, Casion Star Theatre, Gunnison; Dana Shepard, Concrete Onsite Express, Duchesne; and Loraine Sundquist, Hidden Goat LLC, Caineville.
- Applications are being accepted until June 16 for “Banking on Women,” a scholarship-based program created to empower women to start and grow a business. It is presented by the Utah Microloan Fund, in partnership with Westminster College and Synchrony Bank. The Salt Lake cohort takes place Aug. 8-Nov. 9, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Westminster College. The Southern Utah cohort takes place Aug. 9-Nov. 10, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, virtually via Zoom. Details are at https://www.utahmicroloanfund.org/bankingonwomen.html.
ENERGY
- RPlus Energies, a Salt Lake City-based developer of utility-scale renewable energy projects, has announced a long-term power purchase agreement with Idaho Power for a new 200-megawatt solar facility in Ada County, Idaho. The project, named Pleasant Valley Solar, is currently the largest contracted solar facility in the Idaho Power system. The Pleasant Valley Solar project was awarded a PPA through a negotiated process with Meta (formerly Facebook) and Idaho Power. Output from the project will go into the same grid that supports Meta’s new data center in Kuna, Idaho. RPlus Energies has selected Sundt Renewables to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for Pleasant Valley Solar, which is expected to start construction later this year.
GOVERNMENT
- Gov. Spencer Cox has named Brian Steed as the state’s new Great Salt Lake commissioner. Steed is currently executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State University, a position that he will retain in addition to his duties as Great Salt Lake commissioner. As part of that role, he has served as co-chair of the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, a cooperative effort by Utah State University, the University of Utah, the Utah Department of Natural Resources and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality that provides up-to-date data and analysis of the lake and policy recommendations to the governor and legislators to help restore the lake to healthy levels. Steed previously served as executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, deputy director of policy and programs and the official exercising of the director of the Bureau of Land Management, and chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart. Steed’s education includes a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in political science from Utah State University and a juris doctor and certificate in natural resources and environmental law from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah.
HEALTHCARE
- Sera Prognostics Inc., a Salt Lake City-based company focused on improving maternal and neonatal health by providing innovative pregnancy biomarker information to doctors and patients, has announced the retirement of Dr. Gregory C. Critchfield, president and CEO. Critchfield served for 12 years. Zhenya Lindgardt, a member of the company’s board of directors, will succeed Critchfield as interim CEO and president. Kim Kamdar, a member of the board, has been appointed as chair of the board. Critchfield continues as a member of the board. Lindgardt serves as CEO of The Commons Project Foundation, a nonprofit public trust established with support from the Rockefeller Foundation. She previously served as vice president of platform and customer engagement of the executive team at Uber Technologies Inc., and served in a variety of positions, including as a senior partner and managing director for 19 years with The Boston Consulting Group.
- CenExel, a Salt Lake City-based company providing medical and scientific support in the design and execution of clinical trials, has hired Michele Baptista as senior director of business development. She will be responsible for developing, selling and supporting CenExel’s 18-site network for early phase clinical trials, while also identifying new business opportunities and expanding CenExel’s customer base. Baptista most recently was a business development director at WCG IRB. Prior to that, she was co-founder and president of Aspire IRB and held business development and administration positions in the clinical trial space working for Biomed IRB.
- Recursion, a Salt Lake City-based techbio company focused on drug discovery, has appointed Dr. David Mauro as chief medical officer. He will lead Recursion’s pipeline into and through clinical development. Mauro has over 20 years in oncology drug development. His previous roles include serving as the chief medical officer for Codiak BioSciences, Checkmate Pharmaceutical, Prelude Therapeutics and Advaxis. Mauro also held leadership roles within the clinical and medical affairs teams at Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb and Becton Dickinson.
HOSPITALITY
- Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group, a Provo-based hotel management company, has appointed Cassie Bond as vice president of commercial strategy. She will lead the company’s sales, marketing, e-commerce and revenue management services.
HOUSING
- CBC Mortgage Agency, a Cedar City-based, Native American wholly owned and federally chartered housing finance agency, has unveiled a rebrand for the correspondent investor and its Chenoa Fund Program, which has extended down payment assistance to more than 42,000 families. The fund operates in 49 states and territories. CBC Mortgage Agency also announced several recent hires and promotions: Pam Cooper, chief financial officer; Alicia Wood, loan servicing director; Cari Zwick, promoted to national program director; Kira Gissell, promoted to communications and PR director; Dianah Hart, director of investor relations and fulfillment; and Latrese Flowers, program management and compliance officer.
HUMAN RESOURCES
- BambooHR, a Lindon-based software company focused on human resources, has appointed Ryan Packer as chief technology officer. Packer most recently spent 12 years at Adobe leading various engineering organizations. As vice president of engineering in Adobe’s Experience Cloud, Ryan was responsible for several Adobe products while leading a globally distributed team responsible for all software development and operations functions.
PARTNERSHIPS
- Nusano Inc., building a production facility in West Valley City, and PharmaLogic, based in Florida, have announced a collaboration to advance the development of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Nusano is focused on the production of cancer-fighting radioisotopes. PharmaLogic is a contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in radiopharmaceuticals. Opening the first quarter of 2025, Nusano’s production facility will be capable of generating multiple medical isotopes simultaneously and in large quantities to support patient care and therapeutic development. PharmaLogic Utah will be opening in Salt Lake City in the latter half of 2023, expanding its CDMO and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
PHILANTHROPY
- The Kroger Co. and United Service Organizations (USO) have announced the launch of two new Mobile Food Kitchens sponsored by Kroger to support military service members. Launched in 2022, the first USO Mobile Food Kitchen sponsored by Kroger is based in Atlanta. The new mobile food kitchens will make their way across the U.S. this month to be stationed in Kansas City, Kansas, serving the Midwest and Salt Lake City, serving the West Coast. Through the collaboration, the USO and Kroger provide meals to military members, whether they are supporting natural disaster relief, serving in remote locations or at basic training.
REAL ESTATE
- St. John Properties has broken ground on the newest phase of Valley Grove in Pleasant Grove. Phase VI is a 47-acre development that will feature commercial office and retail space, luxury residential, and a central promenade. Development of Valley Grove began in 2016 and includes 128 total acres. Upon completion St. John Properties’ investment will surpass $1.2 billion and include over 1.5 million square feet of Class ‘A’ office, flex/R&D, and retail space within Pleasant Grove, hosting more than 10,000 tenant employees. During the groundbreaking event, St. John Properties presented the Alpine School District with a donation of $25,000 for maintenance and preservation of the “G” on Little Mountain.
RECOGNITIONS
- The U.S. Small Business Administration Utah District Office has announced that IsoTruss Inc. of Springville was one of nine small businesses in the country to be spotlighted for its innovative solutions during the second annual Startup Expo on May 15. The businesses showcased are developing technologies critical for the economic prosperity, global competitiveness and national security. Each company has advancing technology that is supported by America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. IsoTruss’ critical technology areas are advanced materials and space technology.
- Pluralsight, a Draper-based company focused on technology workforce development, has been named the Top Enterprise Technical Skills Development Platform of 2023 by G2. Winners of G2 awards are selected using G2’s proprietary algorithm based on verified user reviews and publicly available market presence data. Pluralsight won over 40 additional awards from G2’s “Best Software Products of 2023” list.
RECREATION
- Black Desert Resort Golf Course in Ivins has opened 18 holes to daily-fee play. It opened nine holes to limited preview play in November. An additional 19th hole will open later this year. It was designed by the late Tom Weiskopf and architect Phil Smith. Reef Capital Partners is developing Black Desert Resort. Upon buildout, the resort will offer 150 hotel rooms; 1,050 residences; miles of on-property trails; a wellness spa; and 80,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The property will also feature 75 single-family estate lots and approximately 214,000 square feet of commercial space.
RETAIL
- Smith’s Food & Drug is building a new Smith’s Marketplace store at 744 N. Main St., Heber. The 123,000-square-foot multi-department store will offer a complete grocery store including a sit-down sushi, Starbucks, salads and sandwiches, Murray’s Cheese, apparel, sporting equipment and household goods, plus a floral department, drive-through pharmacy, online grocery pickup, and a seasonal patio with indoor and outdoor dining. It also will have an on-site Smith’s Fuel Center. Smith’s expects to hire 200 employees in addition to the existing employees who will transfer from the current Smith’s store in Heber City to the new marketplace location. The $32 million Smith’s Marketplace will anchor the first phase of the 1,200-acre shopping project. R&O Construction will build the store. When completed in summer 2024, it will be the 15th Smith’s Marketplace in Utah.
TRADING
- Meraki Global Advisors, a Park City-based outsourced trading firm, has hired Scott Kurtisas chief operating officer. He will oversee Meraki’s financial, operational and administrative functions. Kurtis’ hedge fund industry career has focused on trading, technology, treasury functions, and middle and back-office operations. He most recently worked as a senior international trader for Artisan Partners and Harris Associates, where he specialized in European and Asian equities. Previous positions also include serving as director of operations, head trader and partner at Asian Century Quest Capital, as an Asian trader for Maverick Capital and as an international sales-trader for Goldman Sachs in Chicago.