WTC Utah forms committees to help Utah businesses reach global markets

The board of directors of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) has formed two new committees to provide more Utah companies with the services and knowledge they need to compete and win globally, the organization said in a release.

“World Trade Center Utah continues to leverage the experienced business and community leaders serving on the organization’s board of directors to accelerate growth for Utah companies eyeing global markets,” the statement said.

Amanda Covington, chief communications and government relations officer at the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, will chair the Strategic Partnership and Outreach Committee. Brad Bonham, co-founder and CEO of Walker Edison; and Derrick Porter, CEO of Beauty Industry Group will co-chair the Global Business Services Committee.

“We are deeply grateful for the willingness of our board members to roll up their sleeves and go to work on behalf of Utah companies,” said Miles Hansen, president and CEO of WTC Utah. “Under Amanda, Derrick and Brad’s leadership, these two new committees are going to ensure that WTC Utah services are optimized to maximize the value we are creating for Utah companies and that we can support the best businesses throughout the state, creating prosperity for Utah families and individuals.”

Porter, Bonham and Covington joined WTC Utah’s board in 2020 with the shared vision of making Utah a global destination for business, said Hansen. All three have broad experience working with and leading global organizations.

The Global Business Services Committee will work with the WTC Utah team to develop premium services that are calibrated to generate global growth for Utah businesses. Aaron Starks, WTC Utah vice president of global business services, will staff the committee under Bonham and Porter’s leadership.

“There is no state better than Utah from which a company can go global,” said Bonham. “Our international expansion was supported by the business-friendly environment, strong talent pool and vast international resources offered here in Utah. I’m thrilled to serve on this committee and look forward to supporting other businesses as they expand internationally.”

“Global Business Services, at its core, is the ability to match unrealized international demand with strategic execution resulting in new profits, new jobs and sustained growth for Utah companies,” said Porter.

The Strategic Partnership and Outreach Committee will support and shape WTC Utah’s efforts to strengthen and coordinate its vast network to benefit the state, WTC Utah members and partners and Utah businesses. As part of this work, the committee will oversee the development and execution of outreach strategies to increase awareness of WTC Utah and partner services, particularly with minority-owned, women-owned and rural businesses. World Trade Center Utah’s Julia Breinholt-Pappas, director of marketing and communications; and Jim Porter, director of business development, will staff the committee, which Covington will chair.