Prosperity 2020, Utah’s largest ever business-led movement to enhance innovation, investment and accountability in education, has named Alan E. Hall as its new chair.
“Education is critical to our long-term economic prosperity and to our quality of life,” said Hall. “I have been involved for many years in business and higher education. I look forward to doing my part to build on the momentum of this movement and to push us toward our goals.”
Hall is a venture capitalist, a seasoned entrepreneur and extraordinary community leader who considers it his personal mission to create jobs and lift local economies. As founder of Grow America, he works to align the partners, mentors and capital entrepreneurs need to create and grow tomorrow’s successful companies. Hall is also a founder and managing director of Mercato Partners, a growth equity venture capital fund that invests in high-growth technology companies that need additional funding and expertise in marketing and sales.
Hall is also the founder, chairman and former CEO of MarketStar Corporation, a global outsourced marketing and sales company with a focus on assisting high technology companies increase sales through the small to medium business sectors.
In addition to his business dealings, Hall serves as the chairman of the Weber State University board of trustees and the chairman of the university’s capital campaign committee. He and his wife Jeanne are the chairman and president of the Hall Foundation. The mission of the foundation is that “there be no poor among us.” He is also a weekly columnist for Forbes.com.
“A business-led movement to enhance education really needs someone with a strong history of working with both,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Business is very fortunate to have the perfect man for the job who is willing to step up and lead at just the right time.”
Hall is the second person to serve as chair of Prosperity 2020; he succeeds Mark Bouchard who served as chair for four years. Bouchard will continue to support the Prosperity 2020 movement as emeritus chair, assisting with strategy, relationship-building and fundraising.
“The entire business community owes Mark a debt of gratitude for his unsurpassed dedication to this important issue,” said Beattie. “It is no small task to bring together such a vast and diverse group of supporters and he was a tireless champion for the Prosperity 2020 movement.”
Prosperity 2020
The Prosperity 2020 movement is supported by 20 chambers of commerce across the state as well as multiple business associations and individual businesses. This robust group of business leaders has played a critical role in establishing three goals to be achieved by 2020:
· 66 percent of Utah adults with a postsecondary certificate or degree
· 90 percent of elementary students proficient in reading and mathematics
· STEM Top Ten center for technology jobs and businesses
During the 2013 general legislative session, the Utah Legislature officially adopted the first two goals and formed a committee to chart a path toward meeting them. Prosperity 2020 will continue to play an active role in supporting the completion of these goals.
