World Trade Center Utah announced Miles Hansen as the new President and CEO of WTC Utah. Hansen replaces Derek B. Miller who left to become the President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to return to Utah and join the World Trade Center Utah team. In a time of divisiveness at home and abroad, Utah is a prime example of all sides working together to tackle challenges through the proper application of pragmatic principles—and nowhere is that more evident than the strength of Utah’s economy and the ingenuity of Utah’s companies,” Hansen said. “Under Derek’s leadership, WTC Utah has developed a nationally-recognized brand, and I look forward to building upon that legacy while helping Utah companies expand on the international stage and attracting foreign investment to fund Utah companies, create jobs, and drive economic growth.”
Hansen was most recently the Director for Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council in the White House. Prior to that, he served as a staff aide to the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs. As a diplomat, Hansen was the energy and economic officer at U.S. Consulate General Dhahran in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province where he served as a liaison with Saudi Aramco and advised U.S. government and private sector leaders on the Saudi energy industry and economic reform agenda. He also served tours focused on Iran at U.S. Embassy Yerevan, Armenia and the Iran Regional Presence Office at U.S. Consulate General Dubai. Before joining the State Department as a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow, Hansen started his career in Utah as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Hansen is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Brigham Young University. A speaker of Russian, Farsi, and Arabic, Hansen has firsthand experience in more than 70 countries and is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
“As a native of Utah, with a wealth of experience overseas and at the highest levels of international affairs in the U.S. Government, Miles is uniquely suited to help Utah continue its tremendous growth in international trade,” said Scott Anderson, chair of the WTC Utah Board. “Miles is a brilliant executive, a critical thinker, a successful problem solver, and a creative innovator. His knowledge and experience will allow him to build on the solid foundation established by Derek Miller and Lew Cramer in creating jobs and growing the state’s economy by attracting overseas investment and increasing exports for Utah companies. I look forward to working with Miles in this critically important position.”
The Search Committee selected Hansen after a two-month search process. The committee, comprised of WTC Utah Board officers, presented a recommendation to the WTC Utah Executive Committee for a vote. The Executive Committee voted unanimously in favor of naming Hansen as Miller’s replacement. WTC Utah’s International Business Director Suzette Alles will also be promoted to Chief Operating Officer and act as interim CEO until Hansen arrives in August 2018.
“Congratulations to Miles and Suzette for their respective appointments as CEO and COO for the World Trade Center Utah. As one of the fastest growing export economies in the country and a trade surplus state, Utah will benefit from their vision and leadership,” said Derek B. Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “I am confident Miles and Suzette will lead WTC Utah to new heights in assisting Utah companies to increase exports, create jobs, and enhance Utah’s economic prosperity.”
