The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Gov. Gary R. Herbert as its the Pillar of the Valley Award recipient for 2017. He will be honored on March 14 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 chamber said in its release announcing Herbert’s selection.
“We are proud to honor Gov. 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, Gov. Herbert wholly represents the values the Pillar of the Valley Award strives to acknowledge each year.”
Herbert was born in American Fork and raised in Orem. After graduating from Orem High School, he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and while attending Brigham Young University, met and married Jeanette Snelson of Springville. 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, Herbert began a career in the real estate industry, founding Herbert & Associates Realtors. He 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.
Herbert led Utah’s recovery from the Great Recession to a position of national economic prominence, with a focus on economic development including attracting businesses and investment to the state while helping homegrown businesses flourish. His economic leadership is a major contributor to his selection for the Pillar of the Valley Award.
Herbert was first elected governor in 2008 following five years as lieutenant governor. Herbert and his wife are parents of six children and 16 grandchildren.
Tickets for the awards gala may be purchased at the chamber’s website, www.thechamber.org.
