Former Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt will be honored as “A Giant In Our City” on April 10, 2014. The award is presented by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest and longest-serving statewide business association, and is recognized as the most
prestigious business award given in Utah. Gov. Leavitt will be the 35th person to receive the award in its 44-year history.
An accomplished businessman and public servant, Gov. Leavitt served as Utah’s chief executive from 1993-2003. One of only two Utah governors to be elected three times, Leavitt was appointed administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2003 by Pres. George W. Bush. In 2005 Pres. Bush named him secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, a position he held until 2009.
During his service as governor, Utah had the longest sustained economic expansion in modern state history. Among his many notable achievements, Gov. Leavitt founded Western Governors University, served as governor during 2002 Winter Olympic Games and modernized Utah’s transportation system with an expansion of I-15 in Salt Lake County.
Following his service in the Bush administration, Gov. Leavitt returned to Utah where he established Leavitt Partners, a health care intelligence firm that helps clients navigate the future as they transition to better models of care.
“Gov. Leavitt has given so much to our state throughout his remarkable career,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “From his public service to his success in the private sector, he has had the vision and determination that has elevated the quality of life for all Utahns. He is very deserving of this honor.”
“Utah still benefits from the tremendous leadership Gov. Leavitt provided during his tenure as governor,” said Ron Jibson, president, CEO and chairman of Questar Corp., and chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors. “His contributions to our business community are also surpassed only by his dedicated public service. We are excited to honor him as A Giant In Our City.”
About A Giant In Our City
The Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors established the Giant In Our City award in 1969. The award was created to honor exceptional and distinguished public service and extraordinary professional achievement. It is considered the Chamber’s most prestigious award and is given periodically by the Chamber Board of Governors.
Giants In Our City
1970: Eric C. Aaberg
1972: Clarence Bamberger
1974: E.M. Naughton
1977: John M. and Glenn Wallace
1978: N. Eldon Tanner
1981: John W. Gallivan
1982: George S. Eccles
1984: Richard A. Van Winkle
1985: Wendell J. Ashton
1986: Arch L. Madsen
1987: B.Z. Kastler
1990: S. Chris Johnson
1992: Gov. Calvin R. Rampton
1994: G. Frank Joklik
1995: Fred S. Ball
1998: Kenneth Y. Knight
1999: Scott S. Parker
2000: Verl Topham
2001: Spencer Eccles
2002: W. Mitt Romney
2003: Don Cash
2003: Nick Rose
2003: President Gordon B. Hinckley
2005: Jon M. Huntsman
2006: James LeVoy Sorenson
2007: Larry H. Miller
2008: William H. (Bill) Nelson
2009: Roger Boyer
2009: Ellis Ivory
2010: Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish
2011: Bishop H. David Burton
2012: Kem Gardner
2013: Harris H. Simmons
2013: A. Scott Anderson
