Executive Director
Ben Hart began as Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) Executive Director with the mission of providing smart, sustainable, and equitable supply chain solutions in September 2022. Hart previously served as deputy director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) and was formerly a member of the UIPA board.
Hart brings more than 15 years of government administrative experience to the role of executive director. With the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Hart helped lead the state’s economic efforts, including initiatives that helped Utah businesses to create thousands of high-wage jobs. He helped to develop a nationally recognized talent and education initiative, and bolstered programs to grow Utah’s most important industries. He oversaw the state’s small business and international programs. Hart’s efforts have helped Utah businesses create the strongest and most diverse economy in the country.
Before his time in the Governor’s office, Ben served as director of employer initiatives for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. While at DWS, he helped develop their business-facing portfolio of programs. Hart worked in local economic development for Layton City and spent time in the private sector as an underwriter for Zions Bank. Hart teaches urban and regional economics courses as an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah.
Hart has served on several boards, including the Military Installation Development Authority, the Commission on Housing Affordability, UIPA, and others. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in economics at the University of Utah. Hart currently lives in northern Utah with his family.