Committed Volunteers
History
Commissioner: Rep. Robert M. Spendlove
Taskforce Commissioner
Axel Ramirez
professor of elementary and secondary education, Utah Valley University
Paul Reeve
Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies, professor of history, University of Utah
Yvette Tuell
policy analyst, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
Cynthia Benally
assistant professor of education, Culture & Society, University of Utah
Eileen Quintana
Title VII program manager, Nebo School District
Brenda Whitehorse
director, heritage language program, San Juan County School District
Charles Stormont
director of right of way, Utah Department of Transportation
Farina King
associate professor of history, Northeastern State University; director, Northeastern State University Center for Indigenous Community Engagement
Greg Smoak
director, American West Center, associate professor of history, University of Utah
Jami Van Huss
director, Hyrum City Museum
Jennifer Ortiz
director, Utah Division of State History
Brad Westwood
senior public historian, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement
Ken Williams
director, Utah State Archives
John Hartvigsen
program advisory and vexillologist, Colonial Flag Foundation
Mike Mower
Governor’s Senior Advisor of Community Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
Ron Fox
president/owner, The Fox Group
Joseph Shelton
Utah citizen
Design Review
Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Sen. Daniel McCay
Taskforce Commissioner
Sarina Villareal Ehrgott
director of marketing and brand, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement
Jim Glenn
visual arts manager, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Nancy Rivera
visual arts coordinator, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Jean Tokuda Irwin
arts education program manager, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Dominique Talahaftewa
cultural liaison, Utah Division of Indian Affairs
Pete Codella
associate managing director of communications, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Loggins Merrill
manager, Utah Department of Workforce Services
Gabriella Huggins
executive director, Art Access
Day Christensen
contributing artist, Modern West Fine Art
Zach Winegar
marketing director, America First Credit Union
John Hartvigsen
flag historian and vexillologist, advisory board member, Colonial Flag Foundation
DeVaughn Simper
vexillologist, Colonial Flag
Maria Sykes
executive director, Epicenter
Soonju Kwon
GSBS Architects and Soonju Kwon art studio
Fazilat Soukhakian
associate professor, photography, Utah State University
Paul Reeve
Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies, history professor, University of Utah
Dr. Stephen Lee
dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dixie State University or Utah Tech University
Molly Morin
assistant professor of art, Weber State University
Elpitha Tsoutsounakis
assistant professor, multi-disciplinary design, University of Utah
Gareth Fry
assistant professor of graphic design, Utah Valley University
Jeffrey Hanson
chair, Art and Design Department, Southern Utah University
Joslynn Taylor
Utah Valley University student, Best in Show winner, DesignArts Utah ’21
Kassie John
University of Utah student, lead designer, Bahozhoni
Bradley Hornfischer
amateur vexillologist and Brigham Young University engineering student
Multicultural
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and Rep. Stephen G. Handy
Taskforce Commissioner
Leaders helped incorporate the voices of all Utahns in the process, and offered advice about reaching multicultural communities.
Jackie Thompson
former director of educational equity department, Davis School District.
Michelle Love-Day
associate director of educational equity, Granite School District
Claustina Reynolds
assistant principal, Ecker Hill Middle School
Gabriella Huggins
executive director, Art Access
Ciriac Alvarez
senior policy analyst, Voices for Utah Children
Fatima Dirie
policy advisor for refugees and new americans, Salt Lake City’s Mayor’s Office
Jake Fitesemanu Jr.
co-founder, Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition
Ofa Matagi
clean energy access and equity Associate, Utah Clean Energy
Lillian Tsosie-Jensen
Otta Leadership and Development
Luna Banuri
executive director, Utah Muslim Civic League
Aabir Malik
vice president of development, Colmena Group
Emilio Manuel Camu
president, OCA Asian Pacific Islander American Advocates Utah
Satin Tashnizi
executive director/co-founder, Emerald Project
Tiffany Chan
vice president, Associated Students of the University of Utah
Jon Marshall
associate professor, Weber State University
Neelam Chand
founder/CEO, Shift SLC
Chance Hammock
Utah citizen
Public Outreach
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and Rep. Stephen G. Handy
Taskforce Commissioner
Communications and marketing professionals offered strategic guidance about community outreach.
Susan Wood
communications director, Utah League of Cities and Towns
Brandy Grace
CEO, Utah Association of Counties
Jeffrey Van Hulten
public affairs director, Utah State Board of Education
Donna Law
executive director of development and government relations, Southern Utah University
Pete Codella
associate managing director of communications, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Rossina Lake
public information office, Utah Governor’s Office
Edwin Espinel
Spanish public information officer, Utah Department of Health
Ellen Weist
public information officer, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement
Education
Rep. Elizabeth Weight
Taskforce Commissioner
Laís Martinez
assistant commissioner of equity, diversity, and inclusion, Utah System of Higher Education
Cathy Jensen
education specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Robert Austin
responsible officer, exchange visitor program, Utah State Board of Education
JoAnna Sorensen
elementary social studies specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Dr. Chuck Foster
American Indian education specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Naomi Watkins
English language arts specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Dessie Olson
education specialist, Salt Lake City School District
Bianca Mittendorf
Title IX coordinator, Davis School District
Stasha Wheeler
curriculum specialist, Granite School District
Willy Palomo
program manager, Center for the Book, Utah Humanities
Elizabeth Heath
archivist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lisa Cluff
director of the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Foundation
Aspen Jensen
Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation
Jean Tokuda Irwin
arts education program manager, Utah Arts & Museums
Wendy Rex-Atzet
public history program manager, Utah Division of State History
Tourism
Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Sen. Daniel McCay
Taskforce Commissioner
Industry officials offered expertise in considering local and state branding and marketing strategy.
Bianca Lyon
director of community & partner relations, Utah Office of Tourism
Mark White
vice president of sales & services, Visit Salt Lake
Julie Hollist Terrell
director, Cache Valley Visitors Association
Sara Otto
marketing manager, Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office
Maria Sykes
executive director, Epicenter, Green River
Natalie Randall
director, Utah Tourism Industry Association
Nathan Rafferty
president/CEO, Ski Utah
Pitt Grewe
director, Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation
James Toledo
program manager, Utah Division of Indian Affairs
Ellen Weist
public information officer, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement