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ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
•Hale Centre Theatrerecently held a media tour of the Hale Centre Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 9900 Monroe St., Sandy. Ground was broken on the 130,000-square-foot theater project last September. The 2017 entertainment season will include the first shows on both the smaller proscenium thrust (horseshoe-shaped) stage, and on center stage in the theater-in-the-round. The proscenium thrust stage will have 460 seats, while the larger theater-in-the-round will have 900 seats.Layton Constructionis building the new theater, which was designed byBeecher Walker Architects. When completed, the center is expected to present more than 700 performances annually.
CORPORATE
•Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Provo, announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 35.5 cents per share. The dividend will be paid June 8 to stockholders of record May 27.
•Zions Bancorporation, Salt Lake City, announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 6 cents per common share. The dividend is payable May 26 to shareholders of record May 19. The board also declared the regular quarterly cash dividends on the company’s various perpetual preferred shares. The cash dividend on the series A, F, G, H and I shares are payable June 15 to shareholders of record June 1.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
•Salt Lake Cityis ranked sixth in the“2016 Best Cities to Start a Business”listings compiled by personal finance websiteWalletHub.Analysts compared the startup viability of the 150 largest cities in the U.S., using 16 metrics. Topping the rankings was Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On a scale of one to 75, with one being “best” and 75 being “average,” Salt Lake City was tied with several other cities as tops for financing accessibility, 13th for number of startups per capita, 21st for college-educated workforce, 27th for venture investment per capita, 32nd for industry variety, 57th for labor costs, and 67th for cost of living. In a ranking among cities, Salt Lake City was third for access to resources, 26th for cost and 98th for business environment. Salt Lake City was 149th — next-to-last — for lowest availability of human capital, with only Orlando, Florida, being lower-ranked. The full report is at https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-to-start-a-business/2281/.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
• TheSTEM Action Centerhas announced that the next solicitation for applications for itsPreK-12 STEM Classroom Grantprogram will open Aug. 15. Grants are available for Utah educators and administrators to improve student learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and math. Awards are granted for innovative and creative projects in STEM subjects. The program has funded more than 70 projects during the 2015-2016 school year, with $80,000 providing opportunities for nearly 7,000 students across the state. Details about the program are at http://stem.utah.gov/for-educators/grant-opportunities/.
GOVERNMENT
• TheGovernor’s Office of Economic Development(GOED) has announced the appointment ofChuck Spenceas director of theUtah Procurement Technical Assistance Center(PTAC), an agency charged with assisting businesses with government contracting. His appointment comes in conjunction with former directorFred Lange’s appointment to a role directing a new tax credit program for GOED. Spence began his career at GOED in 2005 as PTAC’s deputy director. During his time at GOED, he has participated in various landmarks of Utah history, from shuttling dignitaries during the 2002 Winter Olympics to running the 8(a) Native American program that assists many minority populations throughout the state. Spence has also served in several leadership positions both locally, as president of the Utah Supplier Development Council (USDC) from 2008-2011, and nationally with the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) since 2011. In March 2015, Spence was elected president of APTAC.
HEALTHCARE
• Health Catalyst, Salt Lake City, has announced thatAnita Pramodahas joined the company’s board of directors as an independent board member and member of the audit committee. Health Catalyst executive vice president and co-founderSteve Barlowhas completed his service on the board after nearly five years. Pramoda has more than 20 years of experience as a healthcare technology company chief financial officer, chief executive officer and board director. She is currently the CEO and founder of software company Owned Outcomes. Pramoda was a director of Allscripts from 2013 to April of this year, and served as CFO of Epic Systems from 2009-2012. Prior to Epic, Pramoda helped commercialize self-healing packaging technology into wholesale, retail and military sectors at Ontech. She also worked at UBS Investment Bank and Arthur Andersen.
MEDIA/MARKETING
• TheWalton Group Inc., Provo, has hiredParker B. StrongandMichael Richardsonas account executives. Strong’s duties include news release composition, media relations, client website details, new business development and event planning for company clients. His experience includes being a project manager for the McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University, an information desk specialist at the Provo Missionary Training Center, a sales representative at Colonial Hardware, and Centerpoint community theater customer service representative. Strong is a sophomore at Brigham Young University. Richardson’s responsibilities include client correspondence, media relations, campaign planning and event organization. Richardson will also be working on the composition of news releases, newsletters and advertisements. He previously was an account executive at Utah Debt Collections. He is an applicant of the Brigham Young University public relations program.
PHILANTHROPY
•Intermountain Healthcarehas donated $165,000 to theNational Ability Centerin Park City. Much of the money will be used for rebuilding and expanding the center’s ropes challenge course in 2016 for people of all abilities, including better functionality for all types of wheelchairs, mobility devices and challenges.
•Zions Bank, Salt Lake City, is inviting the public to nominate up to 25 homes for its annual Paint-a-Thon service project. Employees will provide a fresh coat of exterior paint during the June event. In addition to painting, Zions employees will provide yard clean-up, pruning, mowing, planting and minor repairs as needed by homeowners. Paint-a-Thon benefits low-income elderly, disabled and veteran residents in Idaho and Utah. Typically, homes are referred to Zions Bank by city and state housing agencies, aging services, community organizations and local churches. This year, Zions Bank is inviting the public to nominate qualified homeowners. Homeowners must meet federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines, detailed at zionsbankblog.com. It also includes the link to the nomination form. Home nominations are due by May 20. Since it began in 1991, the project has resulted in the painting of more than 1,000 homes.
REAL ESTATE
•Mountain West Com-mercial Real Estatehas appointedKenneth Jonesas its new chief financial officer. Jones has nearly 16 years of accounting and finance experience, including working for MW’s sister company, Newmark Grubb ACRES. He has worked in Utah, Washington, Oregon and Wyoming. Jones graduated from the University of Utah and has worked in Utah as well as Washington, Oregon and Wyoming.
RECOGNITIONS
•InContact Inc., Salt Lake City, has been named2016 Vendor of Excellencewinner by theProfessional Association for Customer Engagement(PACE). At the PACE Convention & Expo awards luncheon, the company was recognized for exhibiting excellence and making the biggest impact in the customer engagement industry. InContact was selected for demonstrating high involvement in the chapters, PACE national events, community service, philanthropy and a corporate commitment to serving the needs of and promoting the industry.
SCHOLARSHIPS
•America First Credit Unionrecently had itsHigh School Scholarship Prep Showdownto honor students for academic and student athlete achievements. The second annual event recognized 22 students, each presented with a $500 check and honorary plaque. Recipients were from various high schools throughout the state. For students to qualify, they had to excel in high honor roll in academics, be involved in a sport and participate in an extracurricular activity.
• TheUtah 1033 Foundationhas awarded five Utah high school students $2,500 each in scholarships. The students are from Richfield, Springville, Lone Peak, Stansbury and Spanish Fork high schools and all are children of law enforcement officers. The foundation presented the scholarships for the students’ academic achievement and their school and community service. Each scholarship holds the name of one of the five Utah officers killed in the line of duty since the foundation was organized in 2011.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
•Hale Centre Theatrerecently held a media tour of the Hale Centre Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 9900 Monroe St., Sandy. Ground was broken on the 130,000-square-foot theater project last September. The 2017 entertainment season will include the first shows on both the smaller proscenium thrust (horseshoe-shaped) stage, and on center stage in the theater-in-the-round. The proscenium thrust stage will have 460 seats, while the larger theater-in-the-round will have 900 seats.Layton Constructionis building the new theater, which was designed byBeecher Walker Architects. When completed, the center is expected to present more than 700 performances annually.
CORPORATE
•Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Provo, announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 35.5 cents per share. The dividend will be paid June 8 to stockholders of record May 27.
•Zions Bancorporation, Salt Lake City, announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 6 cents per common share. The dividend is payable May 26 to shareholders of record May 19. The board also declared the regular quarterly cash dividends on the company’s various perpetual preferred shares. The cash dividend on the series A, F, G, H and I shares are payable June 15 to shareholders of record June 1.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
•Salt Lake Cityis ranked sixth in the“2016 Best Cities to Start a Business”listings compiled by personal finance websiteWalletHub.Analysts compared the startup viability of the 150 largest cities in the U.S., using 16 metrics. Topping the rankings was Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On a scale of one to 75, with one being “best” and 75 being “average,” Salt Lake City was tied with several other cities as tops for financing accessibility, 13th for number of startups per capita, 21st for college-educated workforce, 27th for venture investment per capita, 32nd for industry variety, 57th for labor costs, and 67th for cost of living. In a ranking among cities, Salt Lake City was third for access to resources, 26th for cost and 98th for business environment. Salt Lake City was 149th — next-to-last — for lowest availability of human capital, with only Orlando, Florida, being lower-ranked. The full report is at https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-to-start-a-business/2281/.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
• TheSTEM Action Centerhas announced that the next solicitation for applications for itsPreK-12 STEM Classroom Grantprogram will open Aug. 15. Grants are available for Utah educators and administrators to improve student learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and math. Awards are granted for innovative and creative projects in STEM subjects. The program has funded more than 70 projects during the 2015-2016 school year, with $80,000 providing opportunities for nearly 7,000 students across the state. Details about the program are at http://stem.utah.gov/for-educators/grant-opportunities/.
GOVERNMENT
• TheGovernor’s Office of Economic Development(GOED) has announced the appointment ofChuck Spenceas director of theUtah Procurement Technical Assistance Center(PTAC), an agency charged with assisting businesses with government contracting. His appointment comes in conjunction with former directorFred Lange’s appointment to a role directing a new tax credit program for GOED. Spence began his career at GOED in 2005 as PTAC’s deputy director. During his time at GOED, he has participated in various landmarks of Utah history, from shuttling dignitaries during the 2002 Winter Olympics to running the 8(a) Native American program that assists many minority populations throughout the state. Spence has also served in several leadership positions both locally, as president of the Utah Supplier Development Council (USDC) from 2008-2011, and nationally with the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) since 2011. In March 2015, Spence was elected president of APTAC.
HEALTHCARE
• Health Catalyst, Salt Lake City, has announced thatAnita Pramodahas joined the company’s board of directors as an independent board member and member of the audit committee. Health Catalyst executive vice president and co-founderSteve Barlowhas completed his service on the board after nearly five years. Pramoda has more than 20 years of experience as a healthcare technology company chief financial officer, chief executive officer and board director. She is currently the CEO and founder of software company Owned Outcomes. Pramoda was a director of Allscripts from 2013 to April of this year, and served as CFO of Epic Systems from 2009-2012. Prior to Epic, Pramoda helped commercialize self-healing packaging technology into wholesale, retail and military sectors at Ontech. She also worked at UBS Investment Bank and Arthur Andersen.
MEDIA/MARKETING
• TheWalton Group Inc., Provo, has hiredParker B. StrongandMichael Richardsonas account executives. Strong’s duties include news release composition, media relations, client website details, new business development and event planning for company clients. His experience includes being a project manager for the McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University, an information desk specialist at the Provo Missionary Training Center, a sales representative at Colonial Hardware, and Centerpoint community theater customer service representative. Strong is a sophomore at Brigham Young University. Richardson’s responsibilities include client correspondence, media relations, campaign planning and event organization. Richardson will also be working on the composition of news releases, newsletters and advertisements. He previously was an account executive at Utah Debt Collections. He is an applicant of the Brigham Young University public relations program.
PHILANTHROPY
•Intermountain Healthcarehas donated $165,000 to theNational Ability Centerin Park City. Much of the money will be used for rebuilding and expanding the center’s ropes challenge course in 2016 for people of all abilities, including better functionality for all types of wheelchairs, mobility devices and challenges.
•Zions Bank, Salt Lake City, is inviting the public to nominate up to 25 homes for its annual Paint-a-Thon service project. Employees will provide a fresh coat of exterior paint during the June event. In addition to painting, Zions employees will provide yard clean-up, pruning, mowing, planting and minor repairs as needed by homeowners. Paint-a-Thon benefits low-income elderly, disabled and veteran residents in Idaho and Utah. Typically, homes are referred to Zions Bank by city and state housing agencies, aging services, community organizations and local churches. This year, Zions Bank is inviting the public to nominate qualified homeowners. Homeowners must meet federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines, detailed at zionsbankblog.com. It also includes the link to the nomination form. Home nominations are due by May 20. Since it began in 1991, the project has resulted in the painting of more than 1,000 homes.
REAL ESTATE
•Mountain West Com-mercial Real Estatehas appointedKenneth Jonesas its new chief financial officer. Jones has nearly 16 years of accounting and finance experience, including working for MW’s sister company, Newmark Grubb ACRES. He has worked in Utah, Washington, Oregon and Wyoming. Jones graduated from the University of Utah and has worked in Utah as well as Washington, Oregon and Wyoming.
RECOGNITIONS
•InContact Inc., Salt Lake City, has been named2016 Vendor of Excellencewinner by theProfessional Association for Customer Engagement(PACE). At the PACE Convention & Expo awards luncheon, the company was recognized for exhibiting excellence and making the biggest impact in the customer engagement industry. InContact was selected for demonstrating high involvement in the chapters, PACE national events, community service, philanthropy and a corporate commitment to serving the needs of and promoting the industry.
SCHOLARSHIPS
•America First Credit Unionrecently had itsHigh School Scholarship Prep Showdownto honor students for academic and student athlete achievements. The second annual event recognized 22 students, each presented with a $500 check and honorary plaque. Recipients were from various high schools throughout the state. For students to qualify, they had to excel in high honor roll in academics, be involved in a sport and participate in an extracurricular activity.
• TheUtah 1033 Foundationhas awarded five Utah high school students $2,500 each in scholarships. The students are from Richfield, Springville, Lone Peak, Stansbury and Spanish Fork high schools and all are children of law enforcement officers. The foundation presented the scholarships for the students’ academic achievement and their school and community service. Each scholarship holds the name of one of the five Utah officers killed in the line of duty since the foundation was organized in 2011.