Gov. Gary R. Herbert has announced the appointment of Paul Garver as the executive director of the Department of Human Resource Management.
Garver replaces Debbie Cragun, who was appointed in June of 2013. Cragun now serves as the Human Resources Administrator to the Utah Legislature.
“Ensuring state employees are well taken care of is a crucial part of helping our government continue to excel,” Gov. Herbert said. “Paul has an exceptional track record of positively impacting employee engagement, and he is a strong leader. His wide breadth of experience and detail-oriented personality will serve the state well, and I look forward to having him as part of Team Utah.”
Garver has served as vice president of human resources for Smiths Detection since 2014. There, he focused on perfecting performance management culture, increasing engagement, developing talent and restructuring, in addition to developing data-based activities that drove continuous improvement within the company.
Previously, Garver has served as human resources director over integrated supply chain for Honeywell International, human resources manager of Aerospace, Defense & Space, and as the center director of Internexus, Incorporated in New York. He received his Master of Business Administration from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.
“I am excited to receive this appointment from Governor Herbert,” Garver said. “I look forward to the prospect of working with the fantastic State of Utah Human Resources team to continue the work initiated by my predecessor, Debbie Cragun.”
The governor’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. If successfully confirmed, Garver will assume his responsibilities in June.
