Lance Allred
Former NBA Player and Motivational Speaker
With his 5 Principles of Perseverance, is the first legally deaf player in NBA history. Known as “The Lion,” he is a best-selling author of Basketball Gods and Longshot and is an expert on Leadership, Perseverance and Grit. Standing at 6’11, and born with 80% hearing loss within a polygamist commune before his family escaped when he was 13, Lance has had people all of his life placing limitations on him, but he never listened: he couldn’t hear very well anyway. Lance is also a TEDx speaker and shares his message of leadership, perseverance and grit as a motivational speaker. Lance served as emcee at the Columbus Dignity through Work breakfast in 2016.
Margarita Angelo
Margarita is proud to work for Zions First National Bank where she manages the military internship program, the summer internship program, university relations and community outreach for Zions. Prior to her work with Zions Bank, Margarita spent 17 years working for a small catheter manufacturing company and was responsible for a variety of roles starting in international sales and marketing but eventually acquiring all the responsibilities in the human resources department, including recruiting, payroll, benefits, employee relations, employee engagement and total well-being programs. Margarita stays active in the community, serving on steering committees for several community organizations including Utah Diversity Connections, Tooele Applied Technology College, Salt Lake Community College, and Division of Workforce Services. She is bilingual in English and Spanish loves the opportunity to use her first language by helping out in various community events.
Kimberly Barnett
Associate Deputy Mayor,
Salt Lake County
Kimberly works directly with senior-level Salt Lake County executives, Federal, state and local elected officials, and constituents on a wide-range of policy issues. She directly manages priority initiatives for Mayor Jenny Wilson and represents her at internal and external County events and meetings. Prior to joining Mayor Wilson’s administration Kimberly (Kimi) proudly served both Mayor Ben McAdams and Mayor Peter Corroon during their terms in office. Her emphasis has been on environmental policy and intergovernmental relations. Among other priorities, she continues to manage environmental policy for Mayor Wilson’s administration. She received her MPA from the University of Utah in 2004. Prior to joining Salt Lake County she spent many years in the nonprofit sector including time at the YWCA and University of Utah Tanner Humanities Center.
Rich Bott
Rich recently joined the executive management team and was appointed CEO of Emerald Textiles. previously, Rich was the director of Intermountain Healthcare’s Central Laundry and has served in that position for 10 + years. During this time, he has also been a key member of the Intermountain Supply Chain leadership team as well as the Intermountain Support Services leadership team. In addition to serving on the Columbus Community board, Rich serves as the CFO on a national Industry board (ALM) as well as a member of an international Industry board (IAHTM).
Rich also served as a medic and nurse in the 328th General Hospital unit of the 96th ARCOM where he worked and trained at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and then at Fitzsimons Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Richard holds an associates of Nursing Degree from The Academy of Health Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Health Services Administration from Weber State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Rich is a native of Utah and lives in Kaysville, with wife Darcie and their four children
Kristy Chambers
Kristy is the Chief Executive Officer of Columbus. Prior to joining Columbus, she served as CEO of Wasatch Homeless Health Care, Inc., better known as Fourth Street Clinic. A certified public accountant for over twenty years, Kristy’s professional background includes public accounting and top level management positions in health care, real estate, retail, and hospitality. Kristy is currently an instructor with the University of Utah Nonprofit Academy and serves on various local and national non-profit boards. She graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a degree in Economics/Business and has a Master’s in Taxation with honors from the Washington School of Law.
Alexis Cruz
Alexis is a former NextWork client and one of our best success stories. Lexi’s original career goal was to be a dispatch operator for 911—a high stress job that relies on clear communication through the telephone. Her Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor saw that she was very good with technology, and she changed her mind a lot about what she wanted to do for a career. Lexi was referred to NextWork so that we could identify her strengths and how they might apply to a field that also fit her interests.
Through our unique assessment process, we discovered that Lexi is detail-oriented, has hyperfocus and excellent fine motor skills. Additionally, she was able to solve complex problems using scientific methods, and she was very creative. We toured a custom jewelry store, and the jeweler spent some time showing Lexi what his job entailed. Lexi expressed interest in becoming a jeweler. Within a week, she was hired as a Bench Jeweler Apprentice at Jared Jewelers. She has been in this position for nearly a year, and is very successful and valued at work. She is now training a new apprentice.
Mason Dimock
Peer mentor and graduate of University of Utah NeuroVersity
Mason is 22 years old, and he is on the autism spectrum. He enjoys designing and building. Mason was 12 years old when he first participated with the University of Utah’s NeuroVersity program where he was introduced to and mastered SketchUp design software. Over the last 7 years, this has led to a number of exciting opportunities for him. Mason has had the opportunity to teach SketchUp to a group of young school children for his high school Service Learning project, he learned how to design a warehouse building using a blueprint plan for Big D construction, and he has been hired several times by NeuroVersity to be a peer teacher for some of the SketchUp workshops.
Jennifer Falk
Jennings & Medura Family Lawyers
Jennifer is currently practices family law with Jennings & Medura. Jennifer is an energetic advocate for her clients, and her keen negotiating skills and trial experience are especially relevant in her active family law practice. In her career, Jennifer has practiced employment law in both the private and governmental sphere and continues to represent select clients in employment law matters. Jennifer also defends accounting firms, including representation before the PCAOB. She received the 2016 Utah State Bar Mentorship award and was recently recognized by Utah Business Magazine as one of Utah’s 2016 “30 Women to Watch” for many reasons including her creative, compassionate and effective ways of practicing law. Jennifer attended Utah State University for her Bachelor’s Degree and was formerly a member of the Advisory board for the College of HASS. She also attended the University of Oxford for her Master of Philosophy and the University of Utah for her Juris Doctor. Jennifer is a member of the 3rd District Court Pro Bono Committee where she volunteers her legal services to Utah citizens in need of legal representation.
Jill Flygare
Utah Inland Port Authority | Chief Operating Officer
Jill is Chief Operating Officer at Utah Inland Port Authority. She has a background in education, government, and finance, spending fifteen years teaching in the education system before she went to work for the State of Utah. She worked at the University of Utah from 2004-2010 as a clinical instructor, online instructor, and coordinator of Teacher Licensure. Her academic service includes Distance Education Design and implementation of courses; mentoring; and instructing clinical faculty on e-portfolios.
She joined the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget in 2010 where she worked with state agencies to match appropriations with programs; make recommendations to the Governor on budget requests from state agencies; and compile reports and complete cost analysis on employee compensation. From 2014-16 she was the finance director of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts where she had oversight of the financial team.
She joined the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in 2016 as Managing Director of Internal Operations where she oversees the management of office operations, compliance, finance teams and she directs policy and procedure. She has a Masters of Certification of Accounting (2015), an Executive Masters of Public Administration (2010); and a Masters of Education (2004) in Instructional Design and Educational Technology; and a Bachelor’s of Arts (1994) in Social Science Composite, Secondary Education, all from the University of Utah.
Leslie Hackett
Express Employment Professionals
Leslie is a Zone Developer for Express Employment Professionals International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, responsible for sales and development of franchise offices in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. Hackett also owns two franchises in Utah Salt Lake City and Taylorsville — where her recruiting and staffing career spans across professional, medical, administrative, and commercial specialties. She is well known in her community as a business leader offering classes on leadership, business operations, pricing, sales, and time management.
Hackett is a member of the International Franchise Association and earned her Certified Franchising Executive designation in 2016. She is a member of the American Staffing Association; the National Federation of Independent Business; and the National Women Business owner’s corporation. Ms. Hackett also was recognized by the National Association of Professional and Executive Women for the 2009-2010 “Women of Excellence” registry.
Hackett has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. She and her husband, Dan, live in Park City, Utah. They have two grown children, Emily and Benjamin, who live in Denver.
Jennifer Hwu
Almost 30 years ago, Jennifer quit her job as a high school physics teacher in Taiwan and moved to California to study electrical engineering at UCLA. After earning a master’s and Ph.D., Hwu accepted a job as a professor at the University of Utah. Twelve years later, she decided she wanted to put her research to use and started InnoSys, a company that manufactures electronic components for electric systems and applications, such as the electric units inside LED lighting. InnoSys is moving from the private sector and will offer consumer products later this year, a shift that she anticipates will double its current revenue. Her company has seen steady sales growth for the past eight years.
Melanie McBride
McBride Communication
Melanie is a seasoned communication, social media and public relations marketing strategist with 25 combined years of agency, corporate, and business ownership experience. Founder of her company, McBride Communications, she is a visionary who possesses strong leadership traits and superior presentation skills. With servant leadership and as a collaborator, she has a unique ability to inspire teams into action. Melanie applies creativity, keen intuition and passion to drive sales and revenue. She has a passion for writing, Triathlon, skiing, golfing and spending time with friends and family.
Other professional achievements include co-directing Governor Napolitano’s five-day economic development initiative for Super Bowl XLII 2008, planning and executing of a week-long media blitz around Super Bowl XLIX’s Fan Fest Scottsdale – home of the ESPN Daily Broadcast, and was instrumental in bringing Super Bowl XLIX to Arizona in 2015. In addition to Board member of Columbus Community Center, Melanie was named, Top 50 Highest Ranking Women in Business by Arizona Republic, and she has served on many organizing committees, including Children’s Justice Center and Where Hope Lives. Melanie also planned and executed three statewide fundraising events for “Zion Forever Project,” raising nearly $1M in one year.
Dr. William McMahon
University of Utah Department of Psychiatry
Dr. William is the director of the University of Utah’s Autism Outreach Center and past chair of the Department of Psychiatry. He served as chairman of the psychiatry department from 2007 to 2015. Dr. William McMahon has worked to build excellent clinical services and systems of care at the University of Utah. He is board certified in adult psychiatry and in the sub-specialty of child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. William has cared for children, adolescents and adults in inpatient, outpatient and other settings for more than three decades. He has followed his particular interest in developmental disorders, including autism, Tourette’s Disorder and other psychiatric conditions with increased genetic risk, such as suicide and nicotine addiction. Currently, his responsibilities are focused on fostering innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Wayne L. Niederhauser
Wayne was the past president of Utah State Senate. He served 2010 -2018 and prior to that served as Majority Whip. Wayne is also an owner of CW Management Corporation, a real estate development company located in West Jordan. CW focuses on residential and commercial projects that enhance a quality lifestyle and the surrounding community. Wayne is a Certified Public Accountant, committed to an accountable, transparent, and participatory government. To this end, he successfully sponsored legislation creating the State Financial Transparency website, transparent.utah.gov. In addition to his service in the Utah Senate, Sen. Niederhauser is a board member for Envision Utah, the Sports Commission, the Visit Salt Lake Board (local CVB), and the Shakespearean Festival Board. The Senator is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a particular passion for cycling and skiing. He looks forward to the Tour de France each summer and visiting Moab as often as he can.
Ryan Nelson
Mountain States Employers Council
Ryan is the Utah President of the Employers Council, now part of Mountain States Employers Council, which meets the employment law and human resources needs of employers throughout Utah and the surrounding region. As Utah president, his focus on business development with a view towards increasing our ability to assist employers in our region. He leads a team of employment law defense attorneys and human resource professionals who provide advice, representation, consultation, and resources to member companies. He is a licensed attorney and admitted to practice law in Utah, Colorado, and Florida. Certificated Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR).
Sgt. John Pearce
Utah Transit Authority Police Department
Sgt. John has over 24 years of police experience. He has served with the Utah Transit Authority Police since December 2012, and prior to that, he worked for the West Valley City Police Department from November of 1991 to December 2012. He has encountered many search and seizure issues while assigned to special ops and K-9 units. His experience has also included being the acting supervisor during high-risk incidents such as pursuits, stand-offs, officer-involved shootings and incidents involving injured officers or damaged property. Additionally, he has worked with confidential informants. He is familiar with the application of Federal charges and Federal court. He is an experienced field officer with K-9, traffic, special operations, gang, and juvenile units. Sgt. John is certified in K-9 training and clandestine lab techniques. He has received numerous awards and commendations for meritorious and distinguished service, and lifesaving, and he has been recognized as supervisor of the year. He is also a parent of a son with autism and a recognized autism advocate. Sgt. John and his wife are founding parents who helped develop Spectrum Academy and the Able program. He helped develop the Sierra Cares law enforcement training for officers (https://youtu.be/NHRFqGVAMu4) and he is currently instructing officers through the “Invisible Disabilities” training program (https://youtu.be/0VPXUov2YvA).
Eric B. Storey
Eric is the Senior Vice President and Manager of Corporate Properties for Zions Bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. In that position, he oversees property management, construction/project management, and purchase/leasing of bank properties. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Certified General Appraiser, and Continuing Education Instructor in the state of Utah.
Eric holds the CPM designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management, the CCIM designation from the CCIM Institute, the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute, and the DREI designation from the Real Estate Educators Association. He graduated from Weber State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning, communications, and family studies.
Eric is a past co-leader of the IREM faculty. As a member of the IREM faculty, he teaches the FIN 402, ASM 603,604,605, and the MPSAXM Prep. Eric is also a MPSAXM Grader. Mr. Storey is also the founder and CEO of the Equity Capital Institute (ECI). ECI publishes articles and creates financial spreadsheets used to analyze equity positions used in real estate investments. Eric recently co-authored “Profitable Real Estate Analysis, The Capital Puzzle”. Eric is married to April and they have five children. His hobbies include raising Angus beef, playing in a band, and cooking.
Mike Willhard
Mike is the Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for the Workers Compensation Fund, where he has worked for the last 19 years. In his current position, he is responsible for WCF’s $1.7 billion investment portfolio. Prior to his role as CIO, he served as finance vice president, assistant portfolio manager, financial operations manager and internal auditor. Prior to working at WCF, he worked as a senior accountant with Ernst & Young and manager of financial reporting for AMEX Life Assurance Company. He and his wife Tammy have two children, Sarah, who works for Intermountain Healthcare Central Laundry, and Brian, who is a senior, studying mechanical engineering at the University of Utah.
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