Governor-elect Cox and Lt. Governor-elect Henderson announced 19 additional key cabinet and staff positions that will join the new administration. The appointees represent a range of diversity and bring both private and public sector experience to their new (and in some cases, continuing) roles. The first six were listed previously here, the next six here and these are the final seven from Monday’s announcement.
Tracy Gruber has been named the executive director of the Utah Department of Human Services. DHS oversees multiple divisions including the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the Division of Child and Family Services, the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, the Division of Services for People with Disabilities, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, the Office of Fiscal Operations, the Office of Licensing (foster care, adoption, etc.), the Office of Public Guardian, the Office of Recovery Services, the Office of Quality and Design, Utah State Developmental Center and Utah State Hospital. She is currently director of the Office of Child Care at the Utah Department of Workforce Services and Senior Advisor for the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative. Prior to joining DWS, Gruber was the senior policy analyst and director of state fiscal policy at Voices for Utah Children. She earned a law degree from the Chicago-Kent School of Law.
Jaceson Maughan has been reappointed to serve as the commissioner for the Utah Labor Commission, a role he has served in since 2016. The Labor Commission has the following divisions: Adjudication, Boiler, Elevator and Coal Mine Safety, Industrial Accidents, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor and Utah Occupational Safety and Health. Before his appointment as commissioner by Gov. Gary Herbert, Maughan served as deputy commissioner and general counsel for the Labor Commission. Prior to joining the Labor Commission, Maughan worked as legal counsel for the Department of Workforce Services. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in U.S. History, followed by his law degree.
Rich Saunders, currently serving as the Interim Director of the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), has been asked to take over as its director. UDOH oversees Utah’s medical cannabis program, birth and death certificates, Utah’s local health departments, the Office of the Medical Examiner, Children with Special Health Care Needs and has been instrumental in leading Utah’s COVID-19 response. Saunders joined the UDOH in 2015 as a consultant in the Division of Medicaid and Health Financing. Nearly two years later, he accepted a director position over the department’s Office of Organizational Development and Performance Improvement. Under his leadership, this office took the lead role in the UDOH becoming an accredited public health department. He has degrees in communication and organizational studies.
Brian Nielson has been appointed to serve as executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC). UDC deals with inmates in Utah’s correctional facilities, probationers and parolees, the sex offender registry, resources for victims of crimes and more. He is currently the Sanpete County sheriff. Prior to being elected sheriff, Nielson served in a variety of other law enforcement roles including juvenile probation officer, police officer, wildlife conservation officer and school resource officer. Nielson earned an associates degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a Master’s of Science in Management and Leadership.
Jill Remington Love has been asked to stay on as executive director of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts. Her department oversees the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the Utah State Library, UServeUtah, the Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, the Utah Division of State History and the Utah STEM Action Center. She has spent more than 20 years in public service, including 12 years as a Salt Lake City Councilwoman, president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and director of Community and Economic Development under Mayor Ralph Becker. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s of Public Administration.
Ed Leary has been asked to stay on as the Commissioner of the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Their department is charged with chartering, regulating, supervising and examining state-chartered financial institutions including the state’s 21 banks, 30 credit untion, 15 industrial banks and two trust companies.The Department also has jurisdiction over mortgage servicers, consumer lending, and money services businesses. As of Sept. 30, 2020, Utah-chartered depository institutions had combined total assets of $355 billion. Utah is the sixth largest in the nation in terms of total assets under supervision. Commissioner Leary holds a bachelor’s in political science and a Master’s in Business Adminstration. He retired in 1995 as a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve after serving almost 24 years.
Rounding out out list, Gary Harter has been asked to stay on as the executive director of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs. The department focuses on ensuring veterans, military and their families are able to thrive in Utah and that military organizations and installations are successful in the accomplishment of their missions. The department is involved in programs focused on veterans’ employment, education, healthcare, business mentorship, legal services, recognition and camaraderie. The department oversees four veterans nursing homes and the state veterans’ cemetery. Harter is a retired Army Colonel who spent 25 years on active duty, leaving service in October 2005. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in National Resource Strategy.
