Freedman named to replace Hansen, lead WTC Utah

An entrepreneur with major international experience will take over World Trade Center Utah at the end of the month.

WTC Utah’s board of directors has selected Jonathan Freedman as the organization’s new president and CEO, succeeding Miles Hansen, who this spring accepted an offer to join the Stirling Foundation, a Utah-based global humanitarian organization, as president and board director. Hansen has been president and CEO of WTC Utah since mid-2018.

“I’ve had the privilege to be involved with WTC Utah over the years and have been consistently impressed by their ability to leverage Utah’s global influence and generate new business opportunities,” said Freedman. “I’m honored to follow Miles as president and CEO of this incredible team, and I look forward to building on their successes and advancing Utah worldwide.”

“I have the utmost confidence in our selection of Jonathan as WTC Utah’s next president and CEO,” said Jon Huntsman, WTC Utah’s board chair. “Jonathan has it all: decades of success in international business, substantial global engagement, deep connections to the local community and a reputation for giving back. Through his leadership, WTC Utah will be well-positioned to accelerate the global growth of Utah businesses.”

World Trade Center Utah is a private, nonprofit organization working to accelerate growth for Utah companies.

Freedman’s entrepreneurial journey began during his teenage years in 1991 when he co-founded Downeast Outfitters with two brothers. The discount clothing and furniture company grew to 64 locations across seven western states, and Downeast was acquired by Logan-based Malouf Cos. in 2020.

Freedman remained with Downeast as director of international sourcing and production while also working with Malouf’s government relations team. These positions took him to China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Guatemala, Peru and Mexico, where he managed sourcing and factory partnerships, spearheaded product development at scale and led two overseas teams.

In addition to his WTC Utah duties, Freedman will continue to serve as the honorary consul of Ukraine in Utah, a position he has held since 2008. As honorary consul and a member of the Utah Consular Corps, Freedman actively supports Utah’s Ukrainian community and facilitates connections between the state and Ukraine’s diplomats and business leaders. In May, he returned to Ukraine with a delegation of Utah business and government leaders on a trade mission co-organized by WTC Utah to provide humanitarian support, explore business options, and connect with Ukraine on a deeper level in its time of need.

Freedman becomes WTC Utah’s fourth leader. Lew Cramer was its founding president and CEO, serving from 2006 through 2013. He was succeeded by Derek B. Miller, now the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. Hansen will continue to serve on the WTC Utah board.

“It’s been an honor to be a part of the WTC Utah team over the last five years,” Hansen said. “I promised to find us an upgrade in our next president and CEO, and I’m so excited to know that Jonathan fulfills that promise and so much more. His experience will bring a fresh and skilled perspective that will undoubtedly enhance the work of the organization. WTC Utah’s best days are ahead with Jonathan at the helm of our world-class team.”

Statistics from www.worldstopexports.com indicate that Utah exported $16.5 billion worth of products in 2022, down from $18.1 billion in 2021. It imported $19.1 billion. Utah’s exports are dominated by gold, at $7 billion, or 42 percent of its total. Utah’s top export location is the United Kingdom, at $7.1 billion, or nearly 43 percent of its exports.

Last year, WTC Utah delivered more than 1,300 services to nearly 400 companies, resulting in $152 million in new international business opportunities for those companies. It also facilitated 147 matches between companies and global investment funds; took 86 companies on 15 international business trips; hosted 72 international business and diplomatic delegations from around the world; organized 94 events with more than 7,500 attendees; and awarded 156 trade promotion grants to small Utah businesses.

Freedman’s selection follows a pair of other high-level economic development executive changes this year. In January, Ryan Starks was appointed executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah), succeeding Dan Hemmert, and Scott Cuthbertson the same month was named CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, succeeding Theresa A. Foxley.