A fifth generation Utahn, I have a great love for the communities and nature that make up our state.  I have spent 12 years as a homebuilder and community investor/developer.  The last three years have been spent with Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties building homes, hope, & community along the Wasatch Back.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish & Political Science from Utah State University in Logan and am finishing a Master’s of Real Estate Development and Certificate in Urban Planning from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City within the year.

I am supported by my loving wife Madeline, Director of Legal Services at Haymond Law, and we share 3 children.

For fun I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, reading fiction & nonfiction, board games, going to RSL/Royals Soccer & Hale Center Theater, watching F1, amateur mountain biking, and my family’s Turo small business lets us enjoy some fun cars.

In addition to my work with this nonprofit, I have served on the Herriman City Planning Commission, and I serve on the SLHBA Government Affairs Committee, the Sandy City CDBG Committee, and in my local Unitarian Universalist Church.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

I’ve long been building attainable homes and focused on in-fill and other incremental development. My time with Habitat for Humanity has fueled my desire to make a serious dent in the availability of truly affordable housing in our communities.  We’re living through a serious crisis and I want to do as much as I can to help.

Senior Vice President, Beehive Insurance

My connection to Utah is strong.  I was born in Santa Monica CA where my parents were living when they were first married, and my father was working as an underwriter for the Pacific Auto Insurance Company.  Ultimately, he was offered a position to return to SLC as a branch manager for the company, and my parents and I have lived here ever since.  My formal schooling included Skyline High School and the University of Utah.  My grandfather as well as my father were both in the insurance business, and were also James Dickson’s so the die was cast in terms of my career path (which has been fortunate for me during the past 30+ years).  My wife Sydnee is the State Superintendent of Public Education, and has been an educator her entire career.  We are both outliers as neither of us have worked outside of our respective careers as adults. 

My career initially included working for the Aetna Insurance Company for 2 years after graduating from the U of U.  My father suggested that even if I ultimately worked as an agent, it was important to understand the insurance industry from the perspective of the insurance carriers.  Since that time, I have worked as a commercial insurance agent and have worked with both residential and commercial contractors, as well as transportation, manufacturing, wholesale distributors, and even non-profit organizations.  Like most industries, the insurance marketplace is constantly evolving and the one mantra that I constantly try to emulate is, what is best for the customer is always what is best for me. 

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

In my opinion, the American dream has always included the ability for people to own a home and create their own sanctuary.  Helping to promote affordable housing allows more people to fulfill this dream, and ultimately improves our communities.

Director of Student Programs, Ivory Innovations 

I’m originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I played competitive golf all through high school and placed 4th in State my Senior year. I received Received a $100,000 merit based scholarship to attend Westminster College (now Westminster University) and was also recruited to play on their golf team. Moved to Utah in 2010. Didn't think I would be in Utah long-term when I made the move, but watching the city emerge and flourish out of the recession and seeing the business growth and opportunity made it hard to leave. 

I enjoy spending time with my husband Logan Gunnell, golf, gardening, wine and spirit education (received my Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Certification), reading, and talking about my dog, Winnie. 

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Journalism Emphasis from Westminster and a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Utah.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

The list of reasons is endless. I want to live in a walkable, diverse community. I want to help disenfranchised communities build generational wealth. I want to see a healthy tax base that can support transit, parks, and schools. I want to facilitate opportunities for parents, children, and grandchildren to live in the same neighborhood. I fundamentally believe that affordable housing is what elevates communities and creates places that everyone wants to live, regardless of income. Affordable housing supports entrepreneurship and business, improves the lives of children, and keeps the best and brightest talent in the state. 

Director of Land Acquisition & Development, Flagship Homes

I was born in North Ogden, Utah and started working in homebuilding as a teenager doing excavation, framing, and roofing. I’ve lived and worked in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona and have enjoyed living in each of those unique locations with Utah being the overall favorite. I’ve been married for 24 years and have 4 sons. I studied at Weber State University and have been working for the last 22 years for large residential homebuilders doing land acquisition and development. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor recreation sports.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

As a land developer and home builder for Flagship Homes, I’ve seen new construction and homeownership go through many challenges and evolutions. Homeownership is a major contributor to overall financial well-being and success for Utah families. I am committed to doing all I can to keep housing affordable and ensure that Utah families are able to own and enjoy their own homes.

Director of Strategic Planning & Initiatives, Blaser Ventures

While a transplant, I feel so connected to Utah! Mountains, high prairie, desert canyons—it’s impossible not to fall in love. I was born and raised just north of Boston, went to undergrad in Los Angeles, and earned my Master of Architecture in Stockholm, Sweden—which turned into the first 25 years of my adult life. Eventually, my husband and I moved back to the U.S. with our kids in tow and landed in Louisville, KY, where I learned the art of Southern hospitality and how to properly enjoy bourbon. Utah came calling as our kids were leaving the nest, and we’ve been here—and loving it—since 2020.

In addition to my architectural background, I’ve worked extensively in urban planning, and at Blaser Ventures I get to blend big-picture strategy with boots-on-the-ground urban planning to help shape more vibrant, inclusive communities.

My husband Aldy is an “art guy” through and through—he runs the Kimball Art Center and keeps our world a little more colorful. We love hiking, mountain biking, swimming, yoga, and enjoying life—ideally all in the same day.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

Because housing isn’t optional—it’s a basic human right. A safe, stable home lays the foundation for everything else: health, opportunity, and a thriving community. Everyone deserves a place to land, grow, and feel at home.

Vice President, Sunpro

I was born in SLC and raised in Sandy and have been in UT my entire life. My family started Butterfield lumber in the late 70s and I worked there until 2014.

I have been married for almost 35 years to my high school sweetheart. We have two awesome boys, whom are both married, and one beautiful granddaughter.

I’ve enjoyed the U of U executive leadership and BYU pathways programs.

I love to golf with my family, fly fish, and boating, I love doubles volleyball, and being outdoors. Spending time with my family is very important to me!

I am the Vice President of Lumber for Sunpro. I have been with Sunpro/Clyde Companies for almost 11 years. Before that I grew up in our family business Butterfield Lumber from the time I was out of high school, until coming to Clyde Companies.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

Everything has gotten so out control these days. The cost of living has gone through the roof since the start of Covid. Housing prices are so unaffordable, anyone who wants to get into a home, has almost no chance of doing so. With interest rates as high as they are, and median home prices over half million dollars, we are excluding everyone that would like to have a home to raise their families in. Being able to help hard working families get into a home is a huge deal to me. When my wife and I bought our first home in 1996, we paid $67,000. For a 2400 sq ft all brick rambler on a ¼ acre in west Jordan. Today you can’t even find a building lot, and if you can, you are looking at least $200,000 for the ground with no structure on it.  We are seeing more people moving to other states to raise their families, where homes and cost of living are significantly less than what we are faced with here along the Wasatch Front.

Assistant Building Official, Sandy City

I am very proud to have worked in the construction industry with Developers, Contractors, homeowners, and Designers for over 30 years. I have worked for Sandy City for over ten years and have come to appreciate the workability and eagerness of our administration and the pride that exists in our community. Truly working anywhere else is not a consideration.

Construction has been in my DNA for a long time. Many years have been spent as a laborer, supervisor, and contractor for residential and small commercial projects. I am certified and licensed for inspections and plan reviews of residential and commercial projects. Recently I completed my Master Code Professional certification with the International Code Council. This has allowed me to be part of an industry that I am passionate about. Including serving on an electrical advisory committee for the State of Utah.

It has been my fortune to be a part of many exciting and technical projects. Front Runner South, Alta View Hospital, Hale Theater, Apartment complexes, Fire Stations, Malls, High Rise buildings, Power Transfer Stations, Residential projects, and hopefully your next project. Working with professionals and eager learners is always a great highlight.

Some of my personal interests include family activities, outdoor recreation, traveling, and many service opportunities.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

I volunteer for several organizations such as Circles Salt Lake and third district court CASA volunteer. Being a part of this Board aligns with my core values and I am vested in its success. Circles is a group of mainly single moms that are working to get out of poverty. For this group of people housing is continuously the number one hurdle in being able to sustain themselves. I also have children attempting to invest in housing and they are challenged with how to get affordable housing. The Nonprofit Homebuilder is a solution to making more affordable housing for people renting and buying.

Utah Territory Sales Manager, LP Building Solutions

I moved a lot growing up, but Colorado is where I called home. I moved out to Utah for college and couldn't bring myself to move away after graduating with a degree in Construction Management. Shortly after graduation, I met my wife whom I share two beautiful children with. I spent the first eight years of my career working in Purchasing for a few different Homebuilders working on SFNC, multifamily, and light commercial projects. A year ago, I made a switch to LP Building Solutions. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, golfing, and working with my hands.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

My primary motive for building affordable housing is to allow more people to achieve homeownership so that they can invest into themselves and their families. I believe that owning a home plays a pivotal role in providing a stable and loving environment for everyone and is a key investment in ensuring that we're providing each and every person with the opportunities to grow and be successful in life.

Strategy Consultant, L.E.K.

I grew up in the suburbs of Sandy, Utah. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Economics and a minor in Chinese. I currently am a strategy consultant at L.E.K., where I have worked on a myriad of cases spanning many industries (Media, Insurance, Manufacturing, Government, Software). In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, pickleball, ping pong, mahjong, and cooking. Additionally, I’m the creator and host of the podcast ‘Humans with Hans’.

Why are you working to build more affordable housing?

I recognize that a home is where the heart is, but at the same time, that house is the foundation of society. Housing is a fundamental right that provides security and promotes economic development and prosperity. Creating affordable housing is one of the ways that provides a higher ROI than other ‘economic simulation’ options.