Benjamin Hart serves as the executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) after
being appointed by the UIPA board in September, 2022. During his tenure at UIPA Hart has
prioritized economic optimization with port facility development, along with strong internal
controls and transparency for the organization. Under his leadership the Port is focused on
statewide, along with regional projects and ensuring world-class global access for Utah
businesses.

Prior to his position at UIPA, Hart served as the deputy director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah). During his time at Go Utah, Hart oversaw The Unified
Economic Opportunity Commission, corporate recruitment efforts, international and diplomatic responsibilities, small business programs and statewide workforce partnerships.

Prior to his time at Go Utah, Hart served as the director of employer initiatives for the
Department of Workforce Services, the CDBG and Economic Development administrator at Layton City, and in underwriting at Zions Bank.

Benj Becker is a managing director and head of the Utah special district group at Piper Sandler. Becker works with special districts and community reinvestment areas to raise and deploy capital for public infrastructure and consults with developers and cities regarding implementation of tax increment financing.

For ten years, Becker worked in the San Francisco Bay Area with a real estate advisory group to provide highest and best use analyses and development strategies for a variety of public and private clients. Over the past several years, he has worked with Zions Bank public finance as a vice president of the municipal consulting group, consulting with municipalities, government agencies and private developers to create redevelopment areas and implement economic development tools.

Becker earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a MAI degree in real estate from the National Appraisal Institute. He has held past positions on economic advisory boards, housing coalitions and is a frequent presenter on economic development tools and bridging the funding gap with market realities and visionary development.

Drake Howell brings a wealth of experience in large-scale real estate development, overseeing projects that span residential, resort, and master-planned communities while integrating environmental stewardship and economic growth. A graduate of Brigham Young University (B.A., History) and the University of Utah (M.B.A.), he has guided the development of more than 1,000 residential units across $183 million in projects, ranging from large-scale multi-family apartment complexes with full amenities to resort-style condominiums featuring exclusive waterpark features.

Beyond vertical construction, Drake has played a key role in shaping master-planned communities spanning over 4,400 acres, seamlessly integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. His expertise also extends to serving as an owners’ representative on high-value projects, managing everything from multi-family housing to premier resort amenities like golf clubhouses and high-end condominiums.

With a strong focus on sustainability and long-term value, Drake has overseen the environmental remediation of 135 acres of historic industrial sites, transforming them into opportunities for future growth. His career reflects a consistent ability to align financial stewardship, community impact, and innovative design, making him a leader in creating thriving, future-ready developments.

Mike has a background in law enforcement and has served in the Iron County Commission for 9 years. Economic development is a passion. The key to future success is planned growth. Healthy relationships between partners is the only way to accomplish this goal.

Danny Stewart served as director of economic development for Cedar City and Iron County for the past nine years. He was key in recruiting a number of companies to Cedar City, including American Packaging Corporation, GOEX Inc., and Rock Island Armory. Other projects included a new CRA Redevelopment Project Area in Cedar City's historic downtown; work with numerous utility-scale solar projects in Iron County; the county's first small business grant program; and partnering with Southwest Technical College and others to create the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center.

Prior to his economic development role, Danny worked as an entrepreneur partner in publishing, marketing, product development and distribution. He also served as bureau editor for The Spectrum Newspaper in Cedar City.

Danny is a graduate of Southern Utah University. He and his wife, Suzanne, are parents of three and grandparents of seven. They love living in Cedar City and enjoying the incredible scenery, recreation, and entertainment available in southern Utah.

Stephen Smith is an Associate Vice President of Regional Project Area Development with the Utah Inland Port Authority. Stephen’s current regional area of focus is the Northwest Quadrant of Salt Lake County, however Stephen has worked on Project Area establishment throughout the State. 

Prior to joining UIPA, Stephen worked in the business process outsourcing and customer engagement industry for over 20 years.

While Stephen grew up and currently lives in the Salt Lake Valley, he attended and graduated from Southern Utah University in Cedar City and spent several years living in Southern Utah prior to and after graduating from SUU.

Drake Howell brings a wealth of experience in large-scale real estate development, overseeing projects that span residential, resort, and master-planned communities while integrating environmental stewardship and economic growth. A graduate of Brigham Young University (B.A., History) and the University of Utah (M.B.A.), he has guided the development of more than 1,000 residential units across $183 million in projects, ranging from large-scale multi-family apartment complexes with full amenities to resort-style condominiums featuring exclusive waterpark features.

Beyond vertical construction, Drake has played a key role in shaping master-planned communities spanning over 4,400 acres, seamlessly integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. His expertise also extends to serving as an owners’ representative on high-value projects, managing everything from multi-family housing to premier resort amenities like golf clubhouses and high-end condominiums.

With a strong focus on sustainability and long-term value, Drake has overseen the environmental remediation of 135 acres of historic industrial sites, transforming them into opportunities for future growth. His career reflects a consistent ability to align financial stewardship, community impact, and innovative design, making him a leader in creating thriving, future-ready developments.

Mark Nord brings over two decades of robust experience in economic development, real estate development, and government relations to his role as Director of Real Estate for the North Temple Landfill in the Northwest Quadrant Project Area. With a proven track record in attracting significant commercial and industrial investments, Mark has successfully facilitated over $1.2 billion in capital investment, creating more than 15,000 jobs during his tenure as Economic Development Director for West Valley City. His notable projects include serving as Master Developer for the transformative Downtown Fairbourne Station, delivering a mix of Class A office spaces, retail establishments, and multifamily housing units, as well as spearheading the development of multiple large-scale industrial sites.

Prior to his service with West Valley City, Mark held influential roles such as Deputy Mayor of Provo City and Lobbyist for the State of Utah, further demonstrating his aptitude for strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and community engagement. His extensive expertise in tax increment financing, redevelopment initiatives, and commercial real estate underscores his capability to effectively manage the complexities involved in repurposing the North Temple Landfill into a thriving economic asset for the Northwest Quadrant.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Utah, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His comprehensive background positions him uniquely to lead and advance the strategic real estate and economic objectives critical to the success of the Northwest Quadrant Project Area.

Chris Metts is the Vice President of Aerospace and Innovation, and Executive Director of Project ALTA ( Utah’s Advanced Air Mobility - AAM) at 47G, Utah Aerospace and Defense. His career has included 35+ years of progressively responsible leadership both in government and industry, resulting in incredible success throughout the FAA and the global aviation community. This includes time as a transportation Attaché at US Embassies in Japan, China and Singapore, with regional responsibilities. He distinguished himself in Senior Executive Service at the FAA where he served as Chief Acquisitions Officer, VP of the ATO's PMO and as VP of US Air Traffic’s En Route and Oceanic Services. In industry, he served as a corporate global VP at L3Harris and partner level executive at Deloitte, partnering with NASA to write the concept of operations document for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). He also served on the ATCA board. Chris is a distinguished graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is fluent in Japanese.

Caroline Mackleby is a public engagement professional with extensive experience building partnerships across communities, government agencies, and industry.

Her work focuses on inclusive approaches to infrastructure, energy, and environmental development—helping ensure that local voices shape large-scale planning and policy decisions. She has collaborated with organizations including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Electrification Coalition, and MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative, where she supported community-informed projects and facilitated cross-sector dialogue in regions across the U.S. and Latin America. 

Caroline holds a B.A. in Geosciences from Williams College, a master's degree from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from MIT.

She loves hiking in the Wasatch Front and exploring Salt Lake City cafes, and is passionate about fostering transparent, community-centered development in Utah and beyond.

Jenna Draper was born and raised in rural Utah, taking advantage of available opportunities that enabled her to graduate with an Associates Degree from Snow College before she graduated from high school.  She went on to obtain her Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University, advancing her career and briefly moving to Maine before settling down back home. 

With a proven track record of success as the Executive Director of the Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Jenna went on to serve as the Economic Development Coordinator for the Six County Association of Governments over the past three years. In this role, she assumed the responsibilities of Economic Development Director for Wayne, Sanpete, and Piute Counties, while also providing support for directors in Sevier, Juab, and Millard counties. Her efforts were instrumental in promoting sustainable economic growth, attracting investment, and creating job opportunities for residents.

Jenna's main goal in driving economic growth is ensuring her children have the option to move back home and raise their families.  She believes that rural Utah's most valuable export is our children, but by increasing educational and job opportunities in high-wage sectors she hopes future generations can choose to stay close to home.  She and her husband John raised their five children in Sevier County, fulfilling her parents' wish for everyone to live close enough to stop by Nana and Papa's whenever they wanted.

Stephanie Pack is an economic development professional with extensive experience within northern Utah. Prior to her role with UIPA, Stephanie was a senior business development manager with the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. She managed corporate recruitment, retention and expansion projects within the largest and fastest-growing segments of Utah’s economy.

During her time with EDCUtah, her project management helped generate over 11,000 jobs and over $1.8 billion in capital expenditure. Half of that growth was invested in northern Utah communities. Stephanie built extensive statewide partnerships in the private and public sectors to support Utah’s economic and job growth.

Her competencies in industrial real estate, logistics, utilities and public finance have helped facilitate economic investment across Utah. Stephanie came to EDCUtah from Qualtrics where she began her career and became a fierce advocate for women in the workplace.

Throughout her career, she has been empowering and developing women through working group facilitation, speaking engagements, mentorship and training. Stephanie identifies as a generalist and life-long learner with interests in writing, speaking, music and art. 

Kelbe leads transportation electrification efforts at Utah Clean Energy, where she works with a diverse range of partners to advance policies and programs that support the transition to a zero-emission transportation system across Utah. Her work focuses on ensuring transportation electrification solutions are equitable, accessible, and beneficial for communities statewide. Kelbe holds master’s degrees in public policy and public health from the University of Utah, and her work has been focused on public health issues, the built environment, and environmental factors such as air quality.

Rich is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in leadership,
business development, and nonprofit management. With a proven track record
of scaling operations, driving growth, and leading successful business transitions,
Rich helped build Downeast Home and Clothing from startup to a 60-store
chain with $60M in annual revenue and 600 employees. Working alongside
the Freedman brothers (including WTC Utah’s President and CEO Jonathan
Freedman), he led operations and later served as CEO from 2018 to 2024,
including managing Downeast’s sale to Malouf Companies in 2020.
In December 2024, Rich joined WTC Utah as Chief Revenue Officer, leveraging
his business expertise to advance the organization’s mission of helping Utah
businesses accelerate growth through its global network, programs, and services.
Rich is adept at international sourcing through extensive travel in Asia and Latin
America, and remains dedicated to enhancing employee experience through
targeted training, retention, and culture-building initiatives

Wm. Scott Wolford is the Vice President of the Business Development Team for the Utah Inland Port Authority. He oversees efforts to create and optimize Port Project Areas across the state. 

Wolford came to the Authority from the Utah Department of Technology Services where he was a Director of Information Technology. In this role, he was assigned to numerous agencies including the Office of the Governor. He previously served as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator working to improve emergency voice and data communications in the state.

Outside of work, Wolford is a retired Utah Guardsman where he served 23 years in the 23rd Army Band. He, his wife Mary, and their eight children make their home in West Point, Utah, where he also serves on the local Planning Commission.

Jonathan Freedman is president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, leading efforts to help Utah companies compete and grow in global markets. He brings a founder’s mindset and international perspective, having co-founded Downeast in 1991 and served as Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Utah since 2007. In 2023, he was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Jonathan also serves on the U.S. Trade Representative’s Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee and the boards of Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah District Export Council, and Utah Inland Port Authority. He is also an active supporter of the arts.

Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson represents District 6, covering parts of Davis County, including Layton, Syracuse and Clearfield. He was appointed to the Utah Senate in January 2010 and chairs the Executive Appropriations Committee. Prior to his legislative service, Sen. Stevenson served on the Layton City Council for eight years and was the mayor of Layton for 12 years.

Sen. Stevenson serves on numerous boards and commissions, including the Weber State University Board of Trustees, the Military Installation Development Authority, the Utah Inland Port Authority, the Point of the Mountain Development Commission and the CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital of Davis County. He previously served as Senate chair for the Prison Relocation Commission and the Prison Development Commission, and has chaired the Weber State University Board of Trustees, the Davis Technology College Board and Envision Utah, a statewide planning organization. 

Sen. Stevenson owns and operates J&J Nursery. He and his wife, Sue, are proud parents of five children and are equally proud grandparents of 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Allen Evans

Geoff Dupaix is a seasoned transportation professional with over 25 years of experience developing a diverse background that includes: transportation planning, local planning, public and political outreach, media communications, government relations, and dynamic team leadership. He has been the UDOT Region 2 Planning Manager since May 2023. He enjoys working with communities to find solutions.

Sam Elder joined D.A. Davidson & Co. in early 2021 to help build the firm’s public finance banking efforts in Utah. Previously, he spent more than five years at Goldman Sachs as a trader/research analyst for a fixed income team that managed more than $120 billion of AUM in tax-free investments. Sam has experience analyzing and investing in special district debt across the country. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Jason Gipson was appointed as the Chief of the Utah Regulatory Section for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District Regulatory Division in February 2008. There he oversees the USACE’s Regulatory Mission, administering Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) within the State of Utah. He supervises a staff of nine who are responsible for protecting the integrity of our Nation’s aquatic resources while also allowing reasonable development through fair and balanced permit decision making.

Mr. Gipson formerly served as USACE’s Utah office Senior Regulatory Project Manager from July 2006 to February 2008, coaching junior staff, processing permit requests for complex actions such as new highway facilities and compensatory mitigation banks, as well as tackling complex enforcement actions related to unauthorized activities. Prior to that he served as a Journeyman Project Manager in the same office from August 2003 to July 2006, where he reviewed and verified aquatic resource delineations, evaluated and processed routine permit applications for site development fills in waters of the U.S. under Section 404 CWA and Section 10 RHA, reviewed and assisted with the development of aquatic resource mitigation plans, and evaluating proposed projects to determine other resource impacts subject to other federal laws such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate. 

Mr. Gipson began his career with the USACE in 2001 as a Department of Army Intern in the Sacramento District Office in the Planning Division’s Environmental Analysis Branch.  During his two-year internship he gained experience in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for the USACE’s Civil Works program.  He also worked with the Operations Branch where he was responsible for NEPA compliance necessary to reconstruct infrastructure at the District’s Parks.  In 2003 he began his career in the Regulatory Division where he found his niche within USACE.

Mr. Gipson brings his experience from many years of field work in plant ecology and biological systems.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Ecology in 1999 from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. 

Randall M. Larsen is chairman of the firm and a shareholder of the firm in the Salt Lake City office. Mr. Larsen has practiced law as a municipal bond attorney since entering the law practice in 2000 with a focus on public finance, municipal disclosure, redevelopment, securities, and real estate. He is licensed to practice in Utah and is a member of the Utah State Bar and the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Mr. Larsen received his B.A. degree from Brigham Young University in 1994, M.B.A from the University of Utah in 1996 and his J.D. from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2000 where he served as an Editorial Board member for the Utah Law Review.

Mr. Buxton is a registered municipal securities representative and municipal advisor representative and has a broad range of municipal finance experience throughout Utah and Idaho. He joined Zions Public Finance, Inc. (ZPFI) in 2001. Since joining the ZPFI team, Mr. Buxton has assisted in over $3 Billion in municipal transactions. Most recently, he has been banker representing Zions as a co-managing Underwriter on the new multi-billion dollar Salt Lake City Airport Redevelopment Program (ARP). Mr. Buxton works extensively with many school districts across the state including Salt Lake City, Tooele, Logan, Box Elder, Carbon, and Grand among others and specializes in successfully passing municipal bond elections. His work with dozens of cities and special districts provide him the opportunity to finance water, sewer, power, roads, municipal facilities, and RDA projects of all types and sizes. He has worked with several manufacturing companies in issuing tax-exempt Industrial Development Bonds through the Private Activity Bond Authority and has also has been very active helping municipal entities with their low income housing needs.

Charles W. Akerlow is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Tooele Valley Public Infrastructure District.  He has been active in the real estate development and financial markets for 50 years.  During that period, he has been responsible for the operations, management and the development and leasing of more than 1.5 million square feet of office, industrial and commercial space, in excess of 1,400 hotel rooms, over 850 condominium units and more than 200 apartment units.  He has managed and developed numerous residential land development projects including the Centennial-SunCrest project which is a 4,500 acre Master Planned Community located in Draper, Utah; industrial parks; mixed use projects; and free-standing commercial buildings and hotels.  The current market value of all of Mr. Akerlow’s commercial and residential projects is estimated at $2.6 Billion.  He is a Vietnam veteran and has been awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army.  He is a graduate of the University of Utah holding both a BS and MS degree and has attended law school at the University.

Ryan Obray brings more than 20 years of experience leading large-scale construction and development projects nationwide. His portfolio includes hundreds of projects for major clients such as Walmart and AutoZone, representing millions of square feet of completed work.

With a strong background in accounting from Utah State University and certifications in SWPPP and LEED, Ryan pairs financial acumen with a deep understanding of sustainable building practices. His expertise spans complex site development, large retail and industrial facilities, and high-performance construction environments, where he has consistently delivered projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

Driven by a passion for problem-solving and team leadership, Ryan is focused on advancing the mission of BZI Innovation Park. 

For ten years, Becker worked in the San Francisco Bay Area with a real estate advisory group to provide highest and best use analyses and development strategies for a variety of public and private clients. Over the past several years, he has worked with Zions Bank public finance as a vice president of the municipal consulting group, consulting with municipalities, government agencies and private developers to create redevelopment areas and implement economic development tools.

Becker earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a MAI degree in real estate from the National Appraisal Institute. He has held past positions on economic advisory boards, housing coalitions and is a frequent presenter on economic development tools and bridging the funding gap with market realities and visionary development.

Jared Hamner, your District 4 representative, has a background rooted in East Indiana. Growing up on a sprawling 350-acre farm in Shelby County, Indiana, he developed a solid connection to the land and a deep appreciation for rural life. Following high school, Hamner embarked on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Upon completing his mission, he pursued studies at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. However, his brother, residing in Utah, persuaded him to continue his education at the University of Utah, prompting him to move. In 2012, Hamner seized an opportunity to contribute to the community by accepting the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce executive director position. This marked a significant career shift after spending 16 years with West Ridge, highlighting his commitment to serving the public and fostering economic development in the area.

Jared Hamner's dedication to his constituents was further solidified when he took office as District 4 representative in January of 2021. Sworn in with a deep sense of responsibility, he has since been actively working to address the needs and concerns of the district he represents. With a strong foundation in rural life and a passion for community development, Jared Hamner brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to his role as your District 4 representative.

Peter Makowski is the Deputy Director of the Business Development Division for Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. While working in the outdoor recreation industry, he attended the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning. Upon graduation, he worked as a Project Manager in the Business Development Division of Ogden City, Utah, specializing in marketing, real estate, business recruitment/retention/expansion efforts, community development finance, and small business assistance.  He oversaw Ogden’s Small Business Loan Program, the City’s Business Information Center, and served as Executive Director of Wasatch Community Funding CDFI. In his time at Salt Lake City, Peter has managed corporate recruitment, retention, and development efforts resulting in over 10,000 jobs attracted, over 8 million square-feet of new commercial and industrial construction, and over $2B in new capital investment. Peter is a Salt Lake City native, an outdoors enthusiast, and moonlights as a musician.