USTAR tabs Somers as new director

Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) has named Brian Somers as its new managing director, according to a statement from the organization.

“We are fortunate to have Brian join our team as managing director,” said Ivy Estabrooke, USTAR executive director.  “[He] brings impressive expertise and talent to USTAR.”

Somers came to USTAR from the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts, where he served as the deputy director and oversaw management, operations, policy and legislative issues for the department and its six divisions. 

In prior positions, Somers was the director of communications for U.S. Rep. Mia Love’s first campaign and served in the office of Gov. Gary R. Herbert as a member of the governor’s communications team and as his speechwriter. Previously, he worked as a contract consultant and provided strategic marketing, branding and communications planning for public- and private-sector clients. He holds a degree in business management from George Mason University and also spent a year as a visiting student at the University of Oxford studying strategy, marketing and history.  

USTAR was established in 2006 by the Utah Legislature and the Gov. Jon Huntsman to leverage science and technology innovation to expand and diversify the state’s economy.