Following a lengthy search process, the Better Utah Board of Directors announced that Jeff Merchant has accepted the role of Executive Director for Alliance for a Better Utah and Better Utah Institute.
“We are ecstatic to have Jeff join the Better Utah team,” said Josh Kanter, Better Utah’s founder and Chair of the Board of Directors. “For over a decade, Better Utah has served as the leading voice for progressive values in our state. We look forward to working with Jeff to build upon our past successes and fight for an even better future for our state.”
Jeff Merchant is a born-and-raised Utahn and a life-long progressive. He earned his Bachelors of Arts and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah. Jeff has worked and consulted in business across various industries. He practiced environmental and natural resource law for six years, both in private practice and in public service for the federal government. In June 2019, Jeff was elected Chair of the Utah Democratic Party. He was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2021. Jeff and his wife Emily have three beautiful daughters Mia, Maggie, and Elsie.
“For far too long Utah politics has been dominated by a single, conservative voice,” said Jeff Merchant, Better Utah’s new Executive Director. “Even as our state has changed, our politicians have not. Diversity of perspective brings balance and better decision making—something Utah has lacked for a long time. I am excited and dedicated to continue the work of progressives across Utah and bring accountability, collaborative dialogue and change to our communities.”
Better Utah’s supporters, the press, and the public are encouraged to come meet the new executive director at Better Utah Institute’s Progressive Block Party, taking place this Friday, September 8 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Mountain West Cider in Salt Lake City. Tickets for the all-ages event are $5 and are available here.
Chase Thomas stepped down as executive director earlier this year, accepting a role as Better Utah’s Senior Policy Advisor.
