For Immediate Release s337

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rona Rahlf Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce (801) 372-0977 [email protected]

Governor Gary R. Herbert to be honored by Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce

Seventh Annual Pillar of the Valley Award Honors Utah Valley Individuals

PROVO (Dec. 19, 2016) – The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Gary R. Herbert, 17th governor of the State of Utah, as the Pillar of the Valley Award recipient for 2017. He will be honored on Mar. 14, 2017 at the seventh annual Pillar of the Valley Gala, to be held at the Utah Valley Convention Center.

The Pillar of the Valley Award was created in 2011 to honor an individual or individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the business, civic, social, educational, and cultural climate of Utah Valley. The gala is one of the premier social events in Utah Valley, attracting many key Utah business, civic and religious leaders.

“We are proud to honor Governor Herbert as a pillar of Utah County,” said Rona Rahlf, president and CEO of Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. “His leadership in Utah will stand as a model not only in Utah but the entire nation for years to come. Without question, Governor Herbert wholly represents the values the Pillar of the Valley strives to acknowledge each year.”

Gov. Herbert was born in American Fork, Utah, and raised in Orem, Utah. After graduating from Orem High School, he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission. While attending Brigham Young University, the governor met and married Jeanette Snelson of Springville, Utah. Shortly after their marriage he joined the Utah National Guard, serving for six years as a staff sergeant working with target acquisition, artillery and ground survey.

After his military service, the governor began a career in the real estate industry, founding Herbert & Associates Realtors, an Orem-based brokerage firm. He and Jeanette also began a child care service, The Kids Connection, which they operated for 23 years. In 1990, Gov. Herbert was appointed to the Utah County Commission, where he served for 14 years. During his time as county commissioner, he served as president of the Utah Association of Counties and the Utah Association of Realtors, and as a board member of the Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce and Utah Water Conservancy District. The governor is the immediate past Chair of the National Governors Association.

Gov. Herbert has led Utah's recovery from the Great Recession to a position of national economic prominence. His unwavering focus on economic development includes attracting businesses and investment to the state while helping homegrown businesses flourish. The governor is focused on four cornerstones to strengthen Utah's economy: education, jobs, energy, and self-determination.

As Utah's 17th governor, he took the Oath of Office on August 11, 2009. Prior to becoming the state's chief executive, Gov. Herbert served as Lt. Governor for five years. Gov. Herbert and his wife, Jeanette, are the proud parents of six children and 16 grandchildren.

The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce is honored to present Gov. Gary R. Herbert with the 2017 Pillar of the Valley award.

Tickets for the gala may be purchased at the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce office by calling 801-851-2555 or at www.thechamber.org.