ABOUT THE GOVERNOR
BIOGRAPHY
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has led Utah’s recovery from the Great Recession to a position of national economic prominence. His unwavering focus on economic development includes attracting businesses and investment to the state while helping homegrown businesses flourish.
The Governor is focused on four cornerstones to strengthen Utah’s economy: education, jobs, energy, and self-determination. As a result, Utah has become a premier destination for business, with an unsurpassed quality of life.
The Governor currently serves as Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA). His focus as the leader of the nation’s governors is to make the relationship between states and the federal government more collaborative, highlight state solutions and share best practices between states. The governor believes real solutions are found in the states, the real innovators and laboratories of democracy.
A successful realtor and businessman, the governor saw firsthand how decisions made by public officials can impact private enterprise. He decided to make a difference and served as a Utah County Commissioner where he gained invaluable experience that benefits his decision making today. As Utah’s 17th Governor, he took the Oath of Office on August 11, 2009. Prior to becoming the state’s chief executive, Governor Herbert served as Lieutenant Governor.
Governor Herbert and his wife, Jeanette, are the proud parents of six children and 16 grandchildren.
MEET LT. GOV. SPENCER COX
Lt. Governor Spencer J. Cox was appointed as lieutenant governor in 2013, following the resignation of Greg Bell. Prior to joining the Herbert administration, he served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives.
Lt. Governor Cox was born and raised in Fairview, Utah, where he now lives with his wife, Abby and their four children. He makes the commute every day to balance his professional responsibilities with his family life. After graduating from Utah State University he graduated with honors from the Washington and Lee School of Law.
Upon graduation, Spencer and Abby moved to Davis County where Spencer had the opportunity to serve as a law clerk to Federal District Judge Ted Stewart. Following the clerkship, Spencer began his career as an attorney at the law firm of Fabian and Clendenin in Salt Lake City. Spencer, the oldest of eight children, and Abby, the fifth of ten siblings, come from large families. They were both raised on farms in Sanpete County, where they learned the value of dedication and hard work.
In 2003, Spencer and Abby decided to return and raise their family in rural Utah. Spencer accepted the position of Vice President with CentraCom, a rural telecommunications company. Shortly after arriving, Spencer helped to design and implement an aggressive expansion plan to grow the company’s rural footprint and, for the first time, bring service to enterprise customers on the Wasatch Front. Since his arrival, CentraCom has doubled in size from 45 employees to more than 90, despite the severe economic downturn.
During their next ten years in Fairview, Spencer served as a councilman and mayor of Fairview City, as a Sanpete County Commissioner and in the Utah House of Representatives representing District 58, most of Sanpete and Juab Counties.
As Lieutenant Governor, he serves as the State Election Officer, Legislative Liason, Chair or Co-chair of ten committees or commissions and a member of seven committees covering a wide array of issues.
In his spare time, Spencer loves running as well as camping and hiking with his family throughout Utah’s amazing backcountry. He is fluent in Spanish. He also enjoys playing the bass guitar with his brother in a local band.
