Letter from the Executive Director

Q . Val Hale, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Val Hale is the executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), which promotes state growth in business, tourism and film Hale was appointed to the position in 2014 by Gov Gary R Herbert

Before accepting the position as executive director, Hale served for two years as president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, leading efforts in business community issues— including regional economic development and branding initiatives

Prior to serving in the chamber, Hale was vice president (2010-2012) for university relations at Utah Valley University (UVU), overseeing legislative affairs, marketing and public, media and community relations Hale played a key role in transitioning Utah Valley State College into Utah Valley University Hale started at UVU as the assistant vice president for external affairs (2005-2006), where he served as legislative liaison and oversaw community relations and economic development activities

Before his career at UVU, Hale worked for the Brigham Young University (BYU) Athletic Department in 1982 and continued with the department for 22 years, including five years as athletic director Hale left a cherished legacy of athletic department improvements His success in fundraising resulted in the construction of Miller Park, the Student Athlete Building, the Indoor Practice Facility and the Legacy Seats in the LaVell Edwards Stadium Hale received his bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1981 and a master’s degree in communications in 1987—both from BYU Hale worked as a reporter at the Daily Herald from 1981 to 1982, covering business, government and BYU

Dr. Kimberly Henrie, Deputy Director

Dr Kimberly Henrie is the deputy director and chief operating officer of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Prior to this appointment, Dr Henrie served as the assistant vice president of Budget Services and Financial Planning at Salt Lake Community College Dr Henrie has worked for the Utah System of Higher Education and in manufacturing for both semiconductors and outdoor recreation equipment Dr Henrie earned her doctorate degree in the field of educational leadership & policy from the University of Utah and received her MBA and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international Business from Westminster College

Theresa A. Foxley, Managing Director of Corporate Recruitment and Business Services

As managing director of Corporate Recruitment and Business Services in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Theresa Foxley oversees corporate recruitment and incentives, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), the Office of Rural Development, and the Private Activity Bond Authority Prior to her appointment at GOED, Foxley was a business and finance attorney with the Salt Lake office of Ballard Spahr, a law firm with 14 offices nationwide, where she represented a diverse set of clients on corporate and financial matters including mergers and acquisitions Earlier in her career Theresa Foxley received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University and Juris Doctorate from the S J Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah

Vincent E. Mikolay, Managing Director of Business Outreach and International Trade

Vincent Mikolay serves as the managing director of Business Outreach and International Trade, which includes the Utah Clusters Initiative, Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program and State Science Advisor His prior positions included working with several early-stage technology startups and he has also previously worked for Nike Inc , The Walt Disney Company, Advent Entertainment and Ridemakerz, among others With over 10 years of experience in operations and business strategy, Mikolay has worked in many countries worldwide and led global teams in opening concept stores

Vicki Varela, Managing Director of Tourism, Film and Global Branding

Vicki Varela is the managing director of Tourism, Film and Global Branding for the state of Utah She oversees the state’s national and international tourism marketing strategy She also works to use film as a billboard for the state’s natural wonders She is establishing Utah Life Elevated® as the state’s integrated global brand promise for all customers Through a recently launched Rourism initiative, she is working to expand rural tourism

Varela’s career has been in the persuasion business She has held many public and private sector leadership roles, including vice president of Kennecott Land, deputy chief of staff and spokesperson for Governor Mike Leavitt, assistant commissioner of higher education and a key driver for Prosperity 2020 and Utah’s hosting of the 2002 Olympics She has two adult sons and one beautiful granddaughter