Leavitt to keynote Utah technology summit

Former Utah Gov. Michael O. Leavitt has accepted an invitation to keynote the second annual Utah Technology Innovation Summit on April 1 at the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, according to a release from the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR), sponsor of the event.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“We are honored to welcome former Gov. Mike Leavitt as our keynote speaker,” said Barbara Araneo, acting executive director of USTAR. “His expertise at the convergence of policy and innovation in both life sciences and energy will provide invaluable insights to our conference attendees about opportunities to build Utah’s innovation ecosystem.”

Leavitt was the governor of Utah from 1993 until 2003 when he was named administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency by Pres. George W. Bush. In December 2005, he was named secretary of Health and Human Services by Bush, a position he held until 2009.

“Throughout his career, Leavitt has been recognized and valued as a champion of innovative strategies to ensure long-term economic growth, whether as a governor who saw the future of workforce development in online higher education, an EPA administrator who championed higher standards for air pollutants, or as a secretary of Health and Human Services who recognized the need to reform healthcare,” the release from USTAR said.

Leavitt is currently focused on the advancement of value-based healthcare through Leavitt Partners, a family of businesses that provides investment support, data and analytics, member-based alliances and direct services to clients to support decision-making strategies in the value economy.

During the Technology Innovation Summit, innovators, decision-makers, thought leaders, investors and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to discuss best practices to catalyze innovation in government and business. Breakout sessions will explore topics such as building Utah’s future through genomics, addressing Utah’s air quality challenges through technological innovation and international opportunities for Utah’s deep technology companies.

The summit will culminate in a lunchtime session with an address from Leavitt and the presentation of the Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology. Now in its 32nd year, the Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology program awards are the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state to Utah to residents who have provided distinguished service or made significant contributions in scientific and technological fields.{/mprestriction}