The Governor’s Office of Economic Development has appointed three industry consultants to oversee strategic growth in the aerospace, financial services, and life science sectors.
Marshall Wright will serve as director of the aerospace industry cluster, Kelvin Anderson as director of financial services, and Andrew Laver as director of life sciences. In this new role, each industry consultant will support industry trade groups and convene stakeholders to develop workable solutions.
“The new targeted industry effort is an investment to sustain our diverse economy,” said Val Hale, executive director of GOED. “As they strengthen Utah’s economic foundation, the cluster directors will provide important contributions that will enhance and grow each sector while addressing their unique challenges.”
Utah has the fourth most diverse economy in the country as well as one of the highest job growth rates. GOED’s strategic industry cluster initiative is focused on addressing new challenges including workforce development. The initiative will be data-driven, industry aligned and outcome focused. The consultants are established on a part-time contractual basis so they may remain involved in their respective fields full-time, providing insight on the most relevant challenges facing each industry.
“These consultants were hand-picked for this significant role and are critical to Utah’s economy,” said Ben Hart, managing director of business services at GOED. “They are highly-respected, and their expertise will be invaluable as they lead and discover innovative solutions.”
- Marshall Wright, director of aerospace: Marshall Wright has more than 45 years’ experience in engineering, marketing and business management in the aerospace and defense industry, working with the U.S. Navy and L-3 Communications, among other organizations. Wright is especially involved in the unmanned systems community and was particularly instrumental in helping Utah open its Aerospace States Association chapter earlier this year.
- Kelvin Anderson, director of financial services: Prior to his new appointment, Kelvin Anderson was the president and CEO of Optum Bank. He has been involved in the startup of several industrial banks over the past 28 years. Anderson has served as chairman of the Utah Bankers Association, president of the Utah Association of Financial Services and director of the National Association of Industrial Bankers. He currently serves on the advisory board of the Center for Innovation in Banking and Financial Services and is especially invested in the rising “fintech” sector.
- Andrew Laver, director of life science: Andrew Laver is managing director of APL Capital Advisors and has made life science his area of funding expertise for more than 20 years. Holding degrees in business administration and bioengineering, his career experience spans a variety of positions in engineering, venture capital, private equity and investment banking. He was also a co-founder of Salt Lake Life Science Angels, an angel investment group focused on seed-stage medical investments.
