Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
ADVISORY
• Squire, an audit, tax and business advisory firm that has five locations in Utah and one each in Nevada and Arizona, has named Chelsea Smith as partner in its Tax Advisory practice. Smith joined Squire in 2021 and leads the firm’s Tax Incentives and Credits practice, specializing in research and development credits, cost segregation studies and other strategic tax opportunities. She also maintains a tax compliance portfolio and advises clients across a range of industries. The company said her advancement reflects both her technical excellence and leadership readiness. She is known for her strategic approach, transparent leadership style and commitment to developing rising professionals within the firm.
AGRICULTURE
• The Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the largest general farm and ranch organization in the state, with more than 37,000 member families, has promoted Sadie Sweat as vice president of organization. She succeeds Susan Furner, who is retiring at the end of May. Sweat will lead the farm bureau’s efforts in leadership development, consumer engagement and professional development among staff. Additional responsibilities include managing select office staff. Sweat was originally hired as the administrative assistant and event planner for the UFBF in 2021 and assisted elected leadership, coordinated UFBF’s annual convention, and more. Sweat grew up on a small family farm raising cows, pigs and horses. She earned a degree in communications from Utah Valley University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.
ARTS
• Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City, has announced that Adam Sklute, its artistic director, will retire at the end of the 2026-27 season, his 20th year at the helm of the company. The announcement marks the end of the longest artistic directorship in Ballet West’s history. Sklute joined Ballet West in 2007 and has since led the company through a period of sustained growth that has reshaped the company’s national profile. During his leadership, the operating budget has nearly tripled, the subscription base has grown against national trends, and the company has expanded its touring presence to major venues across the country. An international search will be conducted by Michael M. Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management and president emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts, who will work with the board of directors in identifying a successor to Adam. Ballet West presents classical masterpieces, historic works and new creations. Through the Frederick Q. Lawson Ballet West Academy, Ballet West trains the next generation of ballet artists and audiences in classical technique. The company also offers a large outreach and education program.
HEALTHCARE
• Halia Therapeutics, a Lehi-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies that target inflammasome-driven disease biology, has appointed Dr. Han Myint as chief medical officer. Myint will lead Halia’s global clinical development, medical affairs and safety strategy as the company prepares to advance ofirnoflast into pivotal development and progresses its broader pipeline. Myint has more than three decades of experience spanning academic medicine, biotechnology and global pharmaceutical organizations, with deep expertise in hematologic malignancies, oncology drug development and late-stage clinical strategy. Throughout his career, he has led the development of innovative therapies across solid tumors, hematologic cancers and cellular immunotherapy programs, with experience advancing candidates from early-stage research through regulatory approval and commercialization. His experience includes serving as chief medical officer of NextCure Inc. and NexImmune Inc.; holding senior leadership roles at Celgene Corp. (now part of Bristol Myers Squibb), including global myeloid disease lead and co-chair of the Global Myeloid Franchise Team; serving as an academic hematologist-oncologist and stem cell transplant physician; serving as professor of medicine and director of stem cell transplantation and the Hematological Malignancies Program at the University of Colorado, Denver; and holding academic leadership roles at Rush University Medical Center.
MANUFACTURING
• YESCO, a Salt Lake City-based company that creates, repairs and maintains signs, has appointed Joel Warden as vice president and northwest regional manager. He succeeds Robert L. Short, who announced his retirement from the role and will continue with YESCO as a fleet manager. Warden has more than 30 years of experience in sign production, project management and sales leadership as well as a 15-year career with YESCO. His portfolio includes some recognizable landmarks and branding initiatives, including leading multi-location efforts for Bank of Utah and Altabank, managing the installation of prominent LED pylon signs at Traverse Mountain Outlets and Valley Grove, and overseeing the reconstruction of the iconic 80-foot-tall bowling pin on Salt Lake City’s State Street. Warden’s education includes a bachelor’s in communications from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University.