Salt Lake Chamber

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Career and Technical Education, known as CTE, plays an important role in educational outcomes and economic growth across Utah. To talk about a new effort strengthening that connection, we’re joined by Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience and Co-Chair of the Utah Career Connected Learning Coalition.

Edson Barton:

The Utah Career Connected Learning Coalition brings together leaders from education, industry and government to ensure Career and Technical Education is understood, supported, and aligned with Utah’s key economic drivers.

Today, more than 187 thousand Utah students are enrolled in CTE courses, gaining practical, career-ready skills before graduation. These programs already contribute billions of dollars in personal income and state tax revenue, proving their value to Utah’s economy.

The Utah Career Connected Learning Coalition also aims to address misconceptions that can undervalue CTE, despite its clear success in preparing students for high-demand fields.

Just as importantly, CTE creates opportunity for students from all backgrounds, for example, students in CTE achieve a 98% graduation rate. Ultimately, the Utah Career Connected Learning Coalition’s goal is to build a stronger, more resilient workforce that supports Utah’s long-term economic growth.

Derek Miller:

The Utah Career Connected Learning Coalition is strengthening CTE to expand career pathways for students and build a skilled workforce for Utah’s future. To learn more visit CTEworksforUtah.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 2/5/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Salt Lake City Mission has been serving our community since 1938, providing hope and practical support to people experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction through emergency services and long-term recovery programs. Pastor Shawn Clay, joins us with more.

Pastor Shawn Clay:

At the Salt Lake City Mission, our goal is simple. We want to share hope, restore dignity and transform lives. For more than 35 years, we have done this by offering meals, shelter, clothing, recovery programs, counseling, job training and life-skills support, helping people take steps toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Every service is delivered with care, focusing on long-term change, not short-term fixes. We have served more than 7.2 million meals, supported thousands of families each month and helped countless others in need in many ways.

The Salt Lake City Mission stays relevant by adapting programs to the changing needs of our community and working closely with volunteers and local partners who share our heart for service. You can donate, volunteer, host a food or clothing drive or give in-kind items. Every gift makes a real difference, opening doors to a brighter future.

Let’s work together to care for those in need.

Derek Miller:

The Salt Lake City Mission serves thousands of Utah families by providing millions of meals and offering programs that restore hope and dignity. Get involved by donating, volunteering or supporting their work at SaltLakeCityMission.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 2/4/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over 40 years, founders Robert Hicken and Paul Bailiff have led Utah-based RJ Masonry. Their work spans stone and masonry projects statewide, from historic restorations to civic and religious buildings. Co-owner and President, Robert Hicken, joins us with more.

Robert Hicken:

At RJ Masonry, our story began when I fell in love with masonry as a teenager and set out to build a company grounded in craftsmanship, service and integrity. Today, that commitment guides our team of more than 180 skilled professionals as we partner with architects, contractors and owners across Utah and beyond.

From complex historic restorations to modern stone-architecture, our goal is the same on every brick, block, stone and masonry project we undertake: deliver exceptional quality through collaboration, innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

We’ve had the privilege of contributing to projects such as the Salt Lake Temple Renovation, the Montage Deer Valley and the Salt Lake Performing Arts Center, where precision, coordination and respect for tradition are essential. Whether the job is large or small, or highly specialized, we bring a problem-solving mindset and a sincere dedication to exceeding expectations.

That’s the standard we’ve built our reputation on for more than 40 years.

Derek Miller:

RJ Masonry has completed a variety of projects across Utah, including both public and private developments. Their work includes a focus on project timelines, safety practices and collaboration with clients. Visit RJMasonryInc.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 2/3/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Sorenson Communications makes communication more accessible by providing interpreting and captioning services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, helping create more inclusive connections and everyday access for everyone. Chief Technology Officer, Maria Lensing, joins us with more.

Maria Lensing:

Sorenson Communications is the world’s leading language services provider for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. Together with our expert sign language interpreters and our patented technology, we deliver high-quality communication services people can rely on.

Hard of Hearing people use our CaptionCall service at no cost to communicate with friends and family. Sorenson’s Deaf customers rely on Video Relay Service and the Lumina Video Phone to meet their communication needs simply, easily and at no cost as well.

Our Enterprise solutions include Video Remote Interpreting, on-site interpreting and Forum, a spoken language translation service with real time translations to over 20 languages and dialects.

Since 2022, we have facilitated over 328 million conversations! Check us out at Sorenson.com, and give us a call. We would love to help your business serve the communication needs for Deaf and Hard of hearing people too.

Derek Miller:

Sorenson Communications continues making a meaningful difference in Utah by supporting smoother, more inclusive communication for businesses and communities. Their work strengthens connections and helps people engage confidently and effectively every day. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 2/2/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah Clean Energy is a bipartisan nonprofit helping Utah move toward a clean energy future. They bring trusted expertise in renewables, efficiency, storage and clean transportation supporting our economy and energy security. CEO, Sarah Wright, joins us with more.

Sarah Wright:

Energy not only powers our lives, it helps power our economy, which is just one of the reasons why Utah Clean Energy has spent the last 25 years helping Utah transition to a clean energy future. With our state’s ingenuity and proud heritage as an energy producer, Utah is uniquely positioned to build a thriving clean energy economy. Our homes and buildings can be ultra energy efficient.

And, Utah's backyard is filled with incredible clean energy potential, including geothermal, solar, wind and storage just waiting to be harnessed. These local energy solutions not only spark innovation and attract new businesses, they help us build a reliable, low-cost energy system that keeps Utah competitive in a global economy while benefiting our families and communities.

Seizing these opportunities is at the core of Utah Clean Energy’s mission. Utah can lead the nation in energy innovation, and together, we can build an even stronger, more resilient and reliable future for all of us.

Derek Miller:

Utah Clean Energy continues turning Utah’s clean energy potential into action, supporting innovation, jobs and sustainability. Learn more at UtahCleanEnergy.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/30/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since its founding in 1965, Menlove Construction has been a Utah-based commercial general contractor helping developers successfully bring projects to life. Through its collaborative design-build approach and expertise, they deliver certainty, speed and value across the Mountain West. Vice President, Mitchell Menlove, joins us with more.

Mitchell Menlove:

At Menlove Construction, we follow a design-build approach. This means that, instead of the usual fragmented development process that requires owners to manage four or five different teams, Menlove will manage the entire process from start to finish, providing a single point of contact and accountability.

Menlove will design, engineer, permit and construct your building in one package, which minimizes owner headaches and eliminates gaps in the construction process that typically cause delays, change orders and budget surprises.

Our comprehensive, collaborative approach yields predictable projects that meet owner timelines and budgets.

With experience that includes self-storage, light industrial, office buildings, retail and sports facilities throughout the Mountain West, we’ve built our reputation on accountability, transparency and craftsmanship.

For developers and business owners who value speed, certainty and a single point of responsibility, Menlove Construction is the contractor to trust with your investment.

Derek Miller:

Menlove Construction brings projects to life with reliability and care, helping developers succeed and creating spaces that make a real difference in communities. To learn more about their services, experience and completed projects, visit MenloveConstruction.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/29/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. In Delta, Utah, Creekstone Energy is developing the Creekstone Gigasite, one of the world’s largest AI-ready data centers and energy campuses. Designed for reliability and low water use, the project brings long-term investment and jobs to Utah. CEO, Ray Conley, joins us with more.

Ray Conley:

The Creekstone Gigasite is our flagship development… an AI-ready data center and energy campus designed for long-term operation in rural Utah. It integrates power generation, transmission and digital infrastructure to support advanced artificial intelligence workloads critical to the U.S. economy.

Our focus is deliberate, responsible development with a long-term commitment to Utah. The Gigasite will generate 10 gigawatts of power. In partnership with EnergySolutions we’re also evaluating at least 2 additional gigawatts of next-generation nuclear, with a target of another 10 gigawatts of new-generation over time, essentially doubling Utah’s current capacity.

Delta is ideal. It is located next to major transmission assets like the Intermountain Power Plant and at the crossroads of key regional fiber routes. The site supports the right energy mix too — solar, natural gas and existing baseload power.

Our data centers are designed to be essentially waterless, helping keep critical infrastructure working and supporting local jobs.

Derek Miller:

Projects like the Creekstone Gigasite highlight Utah’s leadership in energy, infrastructure and innovation. Learn more at Creekstone.Energy. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 3/11/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Bridor USA is a world-leading French industrial baking manufacturer known for producing high-quality, authentic European breads and pastries. With each product carefully crafted to meet the highest industrial standard for everyone to enjoy. HR Manager, Dan Kapetanov, joins us with more.

Dan Kapetanov:

Bridor USA brings French bakery expertise to North America, creating high-quality breads and pastries that meet the needs of modern chefs and foodservice professionals.

Since 1984, Bridor USA has combined traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology to deliver innovative, easy-to-use products that meet the highest industry standards and delight our customers.

Bridor is part of Groupe Le Duff and proudly supplies more than 100 countries worldwide. To support our rapid growth, we are investing over $220 million in a new manufacturing facility in Greater Salt Lake City — our fifth plant in North America.

Construction began in fall 2024 and will conclude in spring 2026, with production set to begin in April 2026. The site will initially create over 150 jobs and grow to 300 long-term positions, producing a wide range of artisan breads and pastries carefully crafted and specifically designed for the American market.

Derek Miller:

With Bridor’s investment in Utah, the company is helping support the state's long-term economic growth while strengthening its manufacturing and food production industries. To learn more about their products and expansion, visit America.Bridor.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/27/26

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since its establishment in 1962, The Children’s Center Utah has provided comprehensive mental health care to children and families. Offering services tailored to each child’s needs, they are making a real difference for Utah families. President and CEO, Rebecca Dutson, joins us with more.

Rebecca Dutson:

At The Children’s Center Utah, we focus exclusively on infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families because these early years are critical to building a strong foundation for lifelong mental wellbeing.

For more than 60 years, we have been Utah’s only provider of trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health treatment dedicated to this age group and their families.

Our outpatient services help children facing social, emotional and behavioral challenges, including those who have experienced trauma. We walk alongside families during some of their most difficult moments, helping children heal, connect and thrive.

We’re committed to strengthening infant and early childhood mental health statewide through cost-free webinars and consultations for healthcare and early childhood professionals, ensuring more children and families throughout Utah receive support.

As the need for early childhood mental health care grows, we’re excited to share that we are expanding services to Utah County, with a new location opening in Lehi in July 2026.

Derek Miller:

The Children’s Center Utah continues to help children and families heal, grow and thrive. Learn more about their services at ChildrensCenterUtah.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/26/26

DEREK MILLER:

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1941, Sun Print Solutions has evolved from a traditional print shop into a modern, innovative manufacturing and technology-driven operation, giving businesses of all sizes custom packaging and printing products. CEO and Co-owner, Jennifer Pettinger, joins us with more.

JENNIFER PETTINGER:

For more than 85 years, Sun Print Solutions has helped companies bring their ideas to life through commercial printing, direct mail marketing, and custom folding carton packaging — all produced with pride right here in Utah.

Today, we’re operating at a whole new level.

Our expanded capabilities mean faster turnaround times, highly personalized campaigns at massive scale, and printed pieces that truly break through the digital noise.

As a SOC-certified organization, we also protect every project with the highest standards of data security and compliance.

And our custom packaging ensures your products stand out on the shelf with the quality your brand deserves.

But the real energy comes from our people. With more than 130 team members who take pride in their craft, we deliver the quality, speed, and reliability that keep our clients coming back.

As a proud 100% women-owned and union printer, we’re here to serve Utah businesses, nonprofits, and national brands.

DEREK MILLER:

Sun Print Solutions continues to play a critical role in Utah’s business community by helping organizations communicate, build their brands, and deliver products to market. Visit SunPrintSolutions.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 1/23/26