Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Kiwanis Club of Salt Lake is a volunteer-led organization that has been serving Salt Lake City for over a century. Focused on changing children’s lives through service projects and community engagement, they are making a real difference. President Terry Hritz, joins us with more. President Terry Hritz: The Salt Lake Kiwanis Club was founded on October 18th, 1918, and it’s been a force for our kids and the community — supporting schools, families, and neighborhood projects. Our signature effort is Terrific Kids. For 38-plus years, we’ve partnered with middle schools across Salt Lake City to recognize students who show growth in character, attendance, and effort. Terrific Kids celebrates progress, not perfection, and it motivates young people to set goals, support classmates, and believe in themselves. Teachers tell us this program boosts morale and reinforces positive behavior, and students beam when their hard work is acknowledged. Our mission is simple — to

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District provides water to homes, farms, and businesses across five Northern Utah counties. They also focus on conservation and sustainable water management for our communities’ future. CEO and General Manager, Scott Paxman, joins us with more. Scott Paxman: Water is life — and in Northern Utah, the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is at the heart of it all. The District celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, since it was created on June 26th, 1950. Serving over 700,000 residents across five counties, including Davis, Weber, Morgan, Summit, and a portion of Box Elder, Weber Basin delivers more than 230,000 acre-feet of water annually — supporting homes, farms, and industries. From award-winning drinking water to innovative conservation programs, the District is leading the way in sustainable water management. With state-of-the-art treatment plants, community outreach, and a strong commitment to safety, Weber Basin ens

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. St. Jude, founded by Danny Thomas in 1962, leads the fight against childhood cancer and life-threatening diseases. Turning research breakthroughs into lifesaving treatment for children in the U.S. and worldwide. Senior Area Advisor, Sara Alisuag, joins us with more. Sara Alisuag: At St. Jude, children with the toughest pediatric cases receive world-class care while researchers invest in cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs. Families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus entirely on helping their child heal. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped raise survival rates for childhood cancer in the U.S., where now 4 out of 5 children survive. While the hospital is based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude supports children worldwide, including right here in Utah. We share our research and findings freely with hospitals and doctors everywhere, including Primary Children’s Hospital and University of Utah Hospitals, so more c

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Placemakr has expanded to downtown Salt Lake City, introducing a new apartment-hotel concept at The Brix Residences. The property combines residential living with hotel-style flexibility for short- and long-term stays. Operations Manager, Scout Starrett, joins us with more. Scout Starrett: Downtown SLC is buzzing... new hotels, new housing, a city that’s fast evolving. What was missing? A place that truly blends home and hospitality. That’s where Placemakr comes in, creating flexible living experiences that work whether you’re here for a night or a year. We’re a national apartment-hotel brand reimagining where life happens. We’ve launched a stunning space in the heart of downtown at Brix Residences — where we manage 95 traditional apartments and 50 apartment-hotel units. It’s a thoughtfully curated place where residents and guests alike feel right at home, complete with local partnerships that unlock exclusive discounts and make it easy to live, work, and play l

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area helps local families build and buy affordable homes, offering the tools and support they need to achieve lasting stability, while strengthening communities and transforming lives. CEO, Carin Crowe, joins us with more. Carin Crowe: Families and communities truly thrive when housing is safe, stable, and empowering — and that’s exactly what Habitat for Humanity provides. By offering a variety of programs, we address immediate needs while supporting long-term stability for families across Utah. Our Critical Home Repair Program ensures homes remain safe and accessible, while our Service Team for Exterior Projects provides fencing repairs, yard maintenance, and other improvements that keep homes sustainable. Families gain confidence and a sense of ownership by building modest, efficient homes through sweat equity, turning them into empowered homeowners. Habitat Cares supports individuals and families by providing essentials a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 2017, Kiln creates vibrant coworking spaces with private offices, shared work areas, and event venues — helping teams across the Western U.S. connect, collaborate, and grow together. CEO and Co-Founder Arian Lewis, joins us with more. Arian Lewis: So the world of work has shifted. Flexibility, creativity, and connection, these are the difference makers for businesses. And at Kiln, we have curated an incredible network of communities throughout Utah — spaces not just designed for productivity, but really to inspire your team. So you can go from St. George to Provo to Lehi to Park City. We’re elevating the quality of life while people are working. And, right here in Salt Lake City, we have a beautiful flagship location. It’s more than just an office — we have over 70 companies there, from enterprise companies to entrepreneurs, startups, creators. It’s really a centerpiece of the city’s innovation story. And this October, we opened Kiln Holladay in the

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. One in four Utahns lives with a disability. Wasatch Adaptive Sports provides mobility and independence through adaptive programs and personalized support, empowering participants to lead active, fulfilling lives. Director of Development, Wes Warne, joins us with more. Wes Warne: This year, more individuals than ever before experienced the freedom of movement through Wasatch Adaptive programs, and over half were first-time participants. 89 percent of those participants were Utah residents, our neighbors in Salt Lake and Utah Counties. Research shows households with an adult who has a disability need, on average, 28 percent more income to reach the same standard of living as those without. 96 percent of the nearly 5 thousand experiences delivered by us were provided at no to low cost to our predominantly low to moderate-income participant base. By partnering with Wasatch Adaptive Sports, businesses support our programs while also contributing to more than 25 ot

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Jordan Education Foundation is a nonprofit committed to enhancing learning experiences in the Jordan School District. Through community partnerships and support, they provide essential resources and opportunities for students and teachers. Executive Director, Mike Haynes, joins us with more. Mike Haynes: At The Jordan Education Foundation, our success is powered by strong business partnerships. We couldn’t support students and teachers every day without the backing of our partners and our volunteer 30-member board of business and community leaders. Many families today face tough choices — like paying rent or putting food on the table. These challenges can happen anywhere, no matter the zip code. Thanks to generous business support, we’ve established Principal Pantries in all 68 of our district schools, providing food and essential items, along with low-income medical and dental assistance. But it goes beyond essentials. Our partners also create internships

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice is a collective of patients, families, and caregivers dedicated to addressing the broader challenges of diabetes care, building awareness, and creating a supportive community that empowers people to take charge of their health. Alison Smart, joins us with more. Alison Smart: Imagine being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition and finding a medication that works well for you, with minimal side effects — only to have it suddenly discontinued, leaving limited alternatives that don’t meet your needs. This is the reality for many people with diabetes today. Levemir, an insulin valued for its consistency and flexibility -- especially for pregnant women and children -- is no longer available in the United States. The Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice is dedicated to ensuring patients retain access to the insulin they need. We are striving to bring a generic version of Levemir to market, advocate for faster FDA approval,

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1985, Air and Sea International has focused on providing customer-first logistics that combine personal attention with experienced guidance. Over the years, they’ve grown into a trusted, full-service freight forwarder. President and COO, Jason Fowler, joins us with more. Jason Fowler: At Air and Sea International, we help companies navigate the complex logistics landscape. From airfreight, oceanfreight, domestic trucking and customs house brokerage, we provide expert solutions that simplify supply chains, reduce delays, and keep businesses informed on changing tariffs, regulations, and global shipping trends. Utah’s strategic location makes it a natural logistics hub. With its international airport, extensive network of highways, railroads, and growing intermodal facilities, goods move efficiently across the state, the country, and internationally. We’re proud to help local businesses grow confidently, compete globally, and take full advantage of Utah’s

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 2015, the Women’s Leadership Institute helps more Utah women step into leadership — whether in business, politics, or the community. Through programs and partnerships, they’re creating real change and opening doors for women across the state. Chief Executive Officer, Melanie Jones, joins us with more. Melanie Jones: When women are included in leadership, businesses thrive — and everyone benefits. At the Women’s Leadership Institute, we partner with Utah companies to elevate women into leadership, unlocking talent that strengthens companies, supports families, and enriches communities. Our flagship initiative is the “ElevateHER Challenge” Utah’s business-led movement where companies commit to measurable steps that advance women. ElevateHER helps businesses compete while honoring Utah’s culture and values and it works because it’s practical, safe, and focused on results. Importantly, women’s leadership isn’t about displacing men — it’s a multiplier. Com

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain supports individuals and families across Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. They offer programs that foster independence, expand opportunity, and empower people to reach their potential. Director of Communications, Shanna Endow, joins us with more. Shanna Endow: Goodwill has been serving communities for more than 120 years, built on the belief that donated goods can provide a hand up not a handout. Here in the greater Salt Lake City metro area, we have six Goodwill stores and one Outlet that carry that legacy forward by embracing circular sustainability, keeping items in use longer, reducing waste, and offering affordable options for families. Each donation and purchase supports a cycle of good: extending the life of resources, funding local jobs, and creating opportunities for individuals overcoming barriers to employment. It’s a model where nothing goes to waste — whether it’s clothing, household goods, or human pot

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. RealRx was founded in 2020 as a joint venture between University of Utah Health Plans and Cooperative Benefits Group. They provide efficient, high-quality pharmacy solutions focused on delivering value to members. President, Jeffrey Dunn, joins us with more. Jeffrey Dunn: We all know that high drug costs can be a burden for Utah businesses and families. What you may not realize is that traditional pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, often profit when prices stay high. They make money through rebates, spread pricing, and fees that are all tied to the cost of the drug and the number of prescriptions. At RealRx, we knew there had to be a better way. Founded in Salt Lake City by local pharmacists and healthcare leaders each with more than 20 years of experience, the RealRx solution is transparent, 100 percent pass-through drug pricing. As an employer, you pay the exact amount paid to the pharmacy, less any applicable member cost - with no markup and no games - ev

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. With more than 30,000 homes built, Ivory Homes has been Utah’s leading homebuilder for over three decades, consistently delivering quality townhomes, move-up homes, and luxury residences that meet the needs of every homeowner. CEO, Clark Ivory, joins us with more. Clark Ivory: Almost everywhere I go, people ask: How will my kids or grandkids ever afford a home? It’s a real concern. Utah now has the 9th highest median home price in the nation. We’ve been discovered — companies want to do business here, job creation and income growth are strong, and housing demand will continue to rise. We need solutions now. First, cities must embrace sustainable growth and support the Governor’s call for 35,000 starter homes. Second, builders like Ivory Homes must aggressively buy down interest rates to help buyers qualify. We are doing just that, with rates in the 5s, 4s, and even as low as 3.49 percent. Finally, parents and grandparents who can, need to help the next genera

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Road Home has been serving the Utah community for over 100 years, helping people step out of homelessness and back into the local community with dignity and support. Marketing Specialist, Rachel Felton, joins us with more. Rachel Felton: At The Road Home, we’re not just offering shelter — we’re helping people rebuild their lives. From signing a lease to providing long-term support, our team walks alongside individuals and families as they move from crisis to stability. Each night we serve around twelve-hundred people, including over two-hundred children. Our programs provide personalized case management, connections to vital resources, and supportive services designed to create lasting change. Last year alone, The Road Home served seventy three-hundred people, including nearly one-thousand children, in all of our programs. It’s all about dignity, respect, and creating real pathways out of homelessness. Every day, we’re helping people take their next ste

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1996, Go Pave Utah has delivered quality asphalt paving and commercial concrete services throughout Salt Lake County and beyond. Their work is built on a commitment to fair and honest relationships with employees, clients, vendors, and partners. CEO, Barney Boynton, joins us with more. Barney Boynton: Every day, business begins on our work. Parking lots aren’t background scenery — they’re the stage, front and center, where customers decide if they’ll step inside, where tenants judge their investment, and where deliveries decide whether they’ll be on time. Go Pave Utah, we treat every project as critical infrastructure for commerce. If pavement is cracked, unsafe, or failing, businesses lose money, trust, and momentum. We make sure that doesn’t happen. When we’re called, it means someone’s revenue is on the line, and we answer fast — with solutions that last. That focus has made Go Pave Utah a trusted partner for property managers and business owners across

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Women Tech Council is a nonprofit driving innovation, economic growth, and the full advancement of women in technology. Through programs that span the entire career journey, they activate interest, build talent, and elevate leadership. Founder and CEO, Cydni Tetro, joins us with more. Cydni Tetro: Imagine doubling the brainpower solving the world’s toughest problems — that’s what happens when women and men innovate together. Yet for too long, too few women have been in the rooms shaping technology and driving growth. That’s why the Women Tech Council was created. Through SheTech, more than 40-thousand high school girls have explored STEM, AI, and tech careers, meeting role models and securing internships. Each year, 4-hundred of these young women graduate in STEM fields, adding 32-million dollars annually to Utah’s economy. For professionals, our programs accelerate careers, place women in boardrooms, fuel startups, and help raise hundreds of millions in fundin

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. When Utahns are injured in car crashes or other accidents, they often don’t know where to turn. Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping people obtain the medical care and fair compensation they deserve. Founder and Attorney, Brigham Richards, joins us with more. Brigham Richards: At Valley Law, we believe injured people deserve more than paperwork and waiting — they deserve immediate, compassionate help. That’s why our motto is “Do It Right, Do It Now.” From the moment you call, we work quickly to document injuries, deal with insurance companies, and make sure you don’t get pushed around. Our firm has deep roots in Utah, and we know the laws, the courts, and the insurance tactics that too often stand between families and the recovery they truly need. Whether it’s medical bills, lost wages, or property damage, we take pride in moving fast and keeping clients informed every step of the way. We also invest in the community — through safety edu

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over 30 years, G&A Partners has been providing world-class human resource services and client support. As a certified professional employer organization, they provide HR support and expertise across all 50 states. Chief Operating Officer, Aaron Call, joins us with more. Aaron Call: To provide HR, payroll, and employee benefits solutions that make a difference, you need deep expertise in a variety of areas and a true compassion for helping and serving every single client and their employees. G&A Partners found that by doing so, our clients often share or adopt a similar company culture — one rooted in the belief that happy and valued employees are the truest predictor of a company’s long-term success. Since we opened our doors in 1995, G&A has held strong to a belief that unparalleled client service should be at the center of everything we do. That commitment drives us to train, evolve, innovate, and search for new and better ways to help our employees and

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded by two brothers from Salt Lake City, Edison House is a modern social club fostering meaningful connections and a vibrant community. By reimagining what a social club can be, they’re redefining the experience for Salt Lake. Co-Founder and CEO, George Cardon-Bystry, joins us with more. George Cardon-Bystry: Social clubs often get a reputation for being stuck in their ways — stagnant, insular, closed off. We strive to be the opposite. Our goal is to connect with the broader community, make a positive impact, and continually evolve. We want to push the boundaries of how people think about and experience private clubs. That’s why we’re in it for the long haul. Our vision is to be a lasting institution in Salt Lake City, which means reinvesting in the club, listening to our members, responding to the market, and always raising the value of membership. That mindset inspired Edison Outside — a new initiative focused on extending our reach into the SLC community.