For the first time in its history, the Utah Technology Council inducted a lawmaker—Utah’s own Sen. Orrin Hatch—into their Hall of Fame Monday night.
The group honored Sen. Hatch for his leadership in tech policy and innovation, and his efforts to develop Utah’s growing technology sector. According to the organization, Hatch is a “pacesetter representing Utah’s outstanding technology accomplishments.”
Hatch is the Chairman of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force and a member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hatch also leads the Senate Finance Committee, which passed Trade Promotion Authority legislation earlier this year in a move that could provide a major boost to Utah tech jobs.
In a video outlining some of Senator Hatch’s accomplishments, the UTC cited his record as evidence that he has been “one of the most effective lawmakers of all time.”The video featured interviews from Utah technology leaders, who spoke of Senator Hatch’s personal efforts to help Utah’s technology business, and create a strong innovation culture in the state.
Brad Rencher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Marketing Adobe Systems Incorporate said, “No matter where in the world you see him, whether it’s in an airport or in our offices, he always comes up, he pulls you close and asks ‘how is your business doing? How can I help you drive those things forward?’ It’s that personal relationship that he brings to these big issues that makes all the difference for us.”
“Speaking with my colleagues around the country and around the globe, they oftentimes ask ‘to what do I attribute the great success that we’ve had here in Utah?’ One of the answers is Senator Hatch,” added Vance Checketts, Vice President and General Manager of EMC. “He is a great champion for our industry. Each senator has their area of expertise. I’d say Senator Hatch’s is technology.”
“Senator Hatch has been a huge partner to IM flash ever since we started this operation,” Keyvan Esfarjani, Executive Officer, Co-CEO, IM Flash said. “Whether it’s taxation, whether it’s the regulatory environment, whether it’s the I-Squared high-skilled immigration bill, these are all absolutely critical. We appreciate what he has done for the people of Utah.”
“In terms of an individual that’s looking out for us and helping to increase awareness in the global presence we have, I’d point to one person—Senator Hatch,” said Josh James, the Founder and CEO of Domo. “He is a cell phone call away, I’ve been surprised to see how accessible he is when I do need him. I think it’s awesome that here in Utah we have someone who has that much weight and that carries that much influence and that has those kind of relationships to get the business leaders in our country to come spend time with us here in Utah. That’s raised the bar and helped us be a part of the world stage.”
