Chamber recognizes Utah’s essential workers

The Salt Lake Chamber honored Utah’s essential workers with the third annual Lane Beattie Utah Community Builder Award. The awards were presented at the recent Giant in our City event where Katharine and the late Robert Garff were honored as the 42nd Giant in our City.

The Lane Beattie Utah Community Builder Award traditionally recognizes an inspirational individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to address critical community needs. Given the unique challenges of the past year, Utah’s essential workers were the clear selection, the organization said.

Six individuals were selected to receive the awards on behalf of all essential workers. Those were Marvella Cuch, bus operator at Utah Transit Authority; Louis Donovan, store director at Harmons Grocery; Keri Graybill, teacher at Granite Park Junior High; Alexis Rose, registered nurse for Intermountain Medical Center; Tiffany Silver, assistant manager at Sunshine Academy Childcare Center; and Jesse du Toit, respiratory therapist at Intermountain Medical Center.

The recipients were selected in coordination with their respective organizations and the Utah Community Builders Advisory Board, co-chaired by Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes, and Lisa Eccles, president and COO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

“These selfless individuals and so many like them kept our communities and economy going, often at great risk to themselves and their families,” said Eccles. “We are grateful for their heroic efforts, and we are so pleased to honor them with this award. These individuals, and the many Utahns they represent, truly live up to the spirit of being a Utah Community Builder.”

“While there were many people who stepped up and stood out in our community this past year, no one more so than our essential workers,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance, upon announcing the award. “They were there when Utahns needed them most, providing essential services that helped keep our state safe and functioning. Their hard work, dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”