Rep. 3rd Congressional District

John R. Curtis represents Utah’s 3rd Congressional District, known for his effectiveness in Congress since 2017, passing 15 laws on topics like public land management and small business regulation. Ranked the 9th most effective Republican by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, he serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee, holding key leadership roles.

Internationally recognized for his work on American energy solutions, John advocates for U.S. energy dominance to boost the economy, strengthen national security, and reduce global pollution.

Before Congress, John was a small business owner and served as Provo City's Mayor for 8 years, earning a 94% approval rating and multiple awards. He and his wife Sue have been married for 41 years, with 6 children and 16 grandchildren.

Chief Encouragement Officer, Singletrack Trails

Speaker: Anatomy of a Gateway Economy

As an outdoor enthusiast turned entrepreneur, I've transformed my passion for trails and outdoor recreation into a thriving career. With over 20 years of experience, I've significantly impacted six ventures, most notably as the Chief Encouragement Officer at Singletrack Trails since 2016. During my tenure, I've doubled revenues, expanded our team, and diversified revenue streams, evolving the company into a multi-faceted outdoor recreation development firm. My career began as a volunteer trail steward, and I later became the trails coordinator for Lory State Park, implementing trail improvements and fostering a vibrant volunteer program. I've managed large-scale natural surface trail projects across 45 states and three continents, continually inspiring and leading others in the pursuit of exceptional outdoor experiences.

OHV Program Manager, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation

Speaker: OHV Trends

Chase Pili is a Native Utahn being brought up in the heart of Utah, Sanpete County. Being raised in Rural Utah, Chase has naturally found a love for the trails and waterways. He found his way to working as a Law Enforcement Ranger for Utah State Parks, and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation for 11 years. Chase has a passion for educating, and protecting our recreating visitors. He loves providing meaningful opportunities to visit Utah in a unique way through Off-Highway Vehicle use. Chase Pili is the Off-Highway Vehicle Program Manager, but more importantly he is a user of this amazing sport!

Deputy Director of Grants & Planning, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation

Speaker: Trends for Hikers, Bikers, Climbers, and Paddlers

Tara passionately believes that every Utahn should be able to enjoy outdoor recreation, and that’s why she’s been involved at the state level since the very beginning with the writing of Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Vision in 2012 and the establishment of the Office of Outdoor Recreation 2013 as well as many of its initiatives, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and later, the Utah Trails Forum and its annual conference. Establishing the Mountain West Trails Conference has been her dream and she is thrilled to see it happen! In 2022, the Office of Outdoor Recreation was moved to the Department of Natural Resources and now has over 40 full-time employees. As deputy director, she heads up the division’s grants and planning team, which helps provide over $50 million of funding and recreation planning aid to communities around the state. Tara holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Brigham Young University with an emphasis in Travel and Tourism.

Speaker:
Sightseers and Tourists Trends & Better Destinations Trails to Tomorrow Update

Jeremy specializes in tourism and recreation economics, visitor use management, and regional economic analysis, with over twelve years of post-PhD experience in socioeconomic research. An economic geographer by training, he views projects through the lens of spatial connectivity and economic interdependency. Currently, he leads multiple projects under the National Park Service’s nationwide socioeconomic research contract, focusing on the economic and social value of lands and wildlife, as well as market assessment and planning for tourism and recreation regions. Before joining RRC in 2022, Jeremy led the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana, overseeing statewide visitor spending projects and niche tourism studies. He also served as Associate Director of the Freight Policy Transportation Institute at Washington State University. Jeremy holds an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Washington State University, an M.S. from Utah State University, and a B.S. from Washington State University. He is passionate about outdoor recreation, residing in Missoula, Montana, and has completed over 40 triathlons.

Chief Campus Administrator, Utah State University Eastern

Speaker: Moab’s Next 10 Years

Douglas R. Miller, Chief Campus Administrator for Utah State University Eastern, holds a doctorate in strategic management and entrepreneurship from Washington State University, an MBA from the University of Montana, and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from USU. An award-winning educator and sought-after speaker on creative problem solving, emotional intelligence, and leadership development, Miller actively researches firm innovation, entrepreneurship, and the psychological ownership of founders. He is a passionate advocate for rural Utah and supports university-community partnerships that enhance USU Eastern.

Managing Director of Tourism & Film, Governor’s Office of Economc Opportunity

Speaker: Marketing Local Strengths in a Global Economy

Natalie Randall is the managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. She leads Utah’s international and domestic strategy in building a perpetual visitor economy.

Randall has served on the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, Utah Board of Tourism Development, Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee, State Workforce Development Board, and United Way of Eastern Utah. Utah Business Magazine has recognized her as a Business Leader and 30 Women to Watch.

She has built a career anchored at the crossroads of policy and business, finding a passion in elevating community driven initiatives. Randall’s professional experience included executive director of the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA), executive director of San Juan County's Economic Development and Tourism, director of Monticello City Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Community and Economic Development, and co-owner of Roam Industry, a guide and outfitter.

Randall enjoys exploring Utah’s wild places by bike, ski, and rope with her family.

Community Development Director, Moab City

Speaker: The Moab Housing Market: Successes and Challenges

Michael Black has served as the Moab City Community Development Director for the past year. He came to Moab from Ashland, Oregon, where he worked for nine years as director of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, honing his skills in shaping sustainable and vibrant communities.

Previously, Black was the Director of Parks and Community Development in Grants Pass, Oregon, and he has also been the Community Development Director for the City of Cottonwood Heights in Utah.Black holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Utah and his career as a professional planner spans nearly two decades. He is a certified urban planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Black is passionate about land use, active transportation, and shaping comprehensive urban environments through policy, and is committed to implementing policies and projects that enhance community living while preserving the natural environment.

Throughout his career, Black has been involved in local, regional, and state boards, and has worked to drive positive change through collaborative efforts.

Speaker: The Moab Housing Market: Successes and Challenges

John has a strong passion for the renewable energy industry to ensure that he leaves the planet a better place. Having spent over 17 years in the industry, he has a track record of delivering projects in a straightforward and honest manner.

Director of Business Services, Desert Rivers Credit Union

Speaker: Staffing, Business Services & Financial Solutions

With 26 years of experience in business banking, I have dedicated my career to managing banking relationships with small business owners by being a primary point of contact in meeting any financial need or challenge they have. My career began with a memorable moment - I helped deliver a calf during one of my first ranch inspections—which elevated my passion for supporting businesses in every sector.

The best part of my job is learning about the unique challenges and opportunities of each business member, and helping them with financial solutions. Whether navigating complex loan structures or providing options to earn more interest, I’m here to assist businesses with their specific business banking needs.

Regional Wealth Management Consultant, Capital Group

T.J. Larsen is a Regional Wealth Management Consultant at Capital Group, home of American Funds, covering Utah, Las Vegas, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. He has 12 years of industry experience, eight years with Capital Group. Earlier in his career at Capital Group, he was an Internal Wealth Specialist and more recently a Site Sales Division Manager. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics from Arizona State University. T.J. is based in San Antonio.

President, Moab Area Chamber of Commerce

Shalee Bryant, President of the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce and a licensed Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, has over 19 years of experience in the financial industry, including accounting, banking, and investments. She loves helping her clients achieve their financial goals and has served on the Chamber's board of directors for the past six years. Outside of work and volunteering in the Moab community, Shalee enjoys spending time outdoors with her partner Gavin and their five children.

Founding Managing Director, Public Land Solutions

Ashley Korenblat is a founding Managing Director at Public Land Solutions, a non-profit recreation economy consultant. PLS works directly with communities investing in outdoor recreation, and on federal and state legislation and policies that affect rural economies.

Ashley’s involvement with outdoor recreation began when she was President of Merlin Metalworks, a bicycle manufacturing company in Cambridge, MA. During that time served as Chair of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). She is currently the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling an outfitter based in Moab, Utah who runs multi-day bicycle trips throughout the US. Western Spirit also produces Outerbike, a consumer bike demo event. Ashley was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2003. She has served on boards for a wide variety of organizations including the Western Governors Association, the State of Utah, the Moab Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Interior. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth.

CEO, The Synergy Company

Thatcher Vagts has worked at The Synergy Company™ since 2009 and served as CEO since 2021. Founded in Moab in 1992, The Synergy Company™, a Certified B Corporation, is as a world-class manufacturer of certified organic dietary supplements and sells directly to consumers through their website and customer care center. Vagts holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Political Science from Luther College and a Master's of Science in Business Administration from Utah State University.

Executive Director, Moab Area Community Land Trust

Kaitlin Myers is the Executive Director of the Moab Area Community Land Trust (MACLT), where she manages the development of Arroyo Crossing, a 300-unit affordable housing subdivision. She began her journey with MACLT as a board member from 2017 to 2021 before becoming the organization's first paid staff member in 2022. Before this role, Kaitlin contributed five years toward affordable housing, economic development, and community development projects and policies for Grand County and Moab City. In November 2023, she was elected to the Moab City Council, where she focuses on attainable housing, balanced growth, and inclusive representation; her City Council term is from 2024-2027.

Kaitlin also serves on various local and state boards, including the Moab Area Housing Task Force, Grand County Local Homeless Council, Utah Housing Coalition, and the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund Board. She holds a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and a Certificate in Economic Development from Utah Valley University, and she has completed coursework toward a Master’s in Real Estate from Georgetown University. In her free time, she enjoys rafting, hiking, and skiing across the Colorado Plateau.

Jen Sadoff grew up on the front range of Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a BFA in art and art education. She joined Moab Regional Hospital in 2012 and has served as the CEO since 2015. She serves on the boards of the Utah Health Information Network, Western Healthcare Alliance, and the Youth Garden Project. In her spare time, she enjoys walking in the desert with her dogs, tending her garden, traveling and skiing with her daughter, cultivating joy and laughter, and trying to read her chickens’ minds.

Rachel, originally from Salt Lake City, moved to Moab in 1997, facing housing challenges while working seasonally as a waitress and bartender, often living out of her car. In 2001, she made Moab her permanent home and started her real estate career in 2003, managing over 70 mixed-use units while juggling multiple restaurant jobs and raising her daughter. She opened her own Real Estate Brokerage in 2008 and merged with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Utah Properties in 2020. Rachel has been Moab’s top sales broker for over a decade, with over 1,000 sales transactions and global recognition. She is a Certified Residential Specialist and is passionate about helping clients, advocating for Moab’s residential neighborhoods, and supporting local housing solutions.

Moab Chamber Board Member

Jolene Stone, Dual General Manager for Springhill Suites and Fairfield by Marriott Moab, began her hospitality career as a Housekeeping Manager in 2011. She quickly advanced to roles in front desk, sales, and operations, eventually becoming a Regional Sales Director, where she supported multiple sales teams across several states. In 2015, she shifted her focus back to operations, serving as General Manager at various properties, including her current role in Moab, which she began in June 2022. Jolene is passionate about supporting her team, providing excellent guest experiences, and giving back to the community. She has been involved in community service throughout her career, including leadership roles with local Chambers of Commerce and volunteering efforts in Moab. Jolene is honored to serve on the Moab Area Chamber Board and is committed to supporting local businesses.