ALL NEWS

St. George Mayor, among others announced for Gov-elect Spencer Cox cabinet

Dec 21, 2020, 6:01 PM | Updated: 6:07 pm

St. George Mayor joins Spencer Cox team...

Photo credit: City of St. George.

SALT LAKE CITY — The mayor of St. George, Utah, is moving north to join the cabinet of Governor-elect Spencer Cox.

According to the Spectrum, Jon Pike has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department. He was one of 19 other cabinet nominations and staff picks announced by the Cox team on Monday.

Pike’s resignation as St. George Mayor becomes effective on the day Spencer Cox and Deidre Henderson are sworn in as Utah’s Governor and Lt. Governor. The Spectrum reports the swearing-in will take place Jan. 4 at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, in Ivins, Utah.

Some positions in the cabinet of Spencer Cox will remain filled by the person currently doing the job for Utah’s outgoing governor, Gary Herbert. Those people include:

  • Jess Anderson, Commissioner of Public Safety
  • Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Transportation
  • Gary Harter, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
  • Ed Leary, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Financial Institutions
  • Jill Remington Love, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts
  • Jaceson Maughan, Commissioner for the Utah Labor Commission
  • Brian Steed, Executive Director of Utah Department of Natural Resources

New faces in the Spencer Cox administration 

The following appointments have new people at the helm. They are:

Margaret Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce.  She has been working as a social impact and public policy advisor for two Utah-based nonprofits as well as for a gubernatorial campaign.

Nubia Peña, Senior Advisor on Equity and Opportunity and Director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs. Nubia Peña is currently the director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs. In this role, she helped promote a climate of inclusivity for Utah’s growing diverse communities. This was done through training, outreach and youth leadership development.

Craig Buttars, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Craig currently serves as the Cache County Executive. Previously he represented District 3 in the Utah Legislature, where he chaired two House standing committees and was a member of the Natural Resources and Environment Appropriations Committee.

Casey Cameron, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Cameron has served as a deputy director for the Department of Workforce Services since 2012 and has worked in various other capacities for the state of Utah over the past21 years.

Thom Carter, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development and Energy Advisor. Carter has served as an elected official in New Jersey, and according to a statement has been involved with initiatives ranging from healthcare to transportation. For the last three years, he has led the Utah Clean Air Partnership.

Tracy Gruber, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Human Services. Right now, Gruber directs the Office of Child Care at the Utah Department of Workforce Services and is a Senior Advisor for the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative.

Brian Nielson, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Corrections. He has served as the Sheriff of Sanpete County for the last ten years.

Jon Pike, Commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department. Pike is currently the Utah operations director for SelectHealth, the health insurance division of Intermountain Healthcare. He has worked in several positions with Intermountain Healthcare since 1990. According to a statement, his career has focused on “physician relations and contracting broker relations, sales management, and government and community liaison.”

Kirsten Rappleye, Director of First Lady Initiatives. In this role, Rappleye will oversee the development and execution of Utah First Lady Abby Cox’s initiatives. Prior to this appointment, Rappleye served as chief of staff to then Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox, coordinating his work on more than 30 boards and commissions 

Jenney Rees, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Administrative Services. Reyes is currently the mayor of Cedar Hills and served on that city’s council for six years. As mayor, she served on multiple committees including the Joint Policy Advisory Committee, the Legislative Policy Committee for the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and the Regional Planning Committee for Mountainland Association of Governments.

Rich Saunders, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health.  Saunders is currently serving as the Interim Director of the Utah Department of Health (UDOH).  According to a statement, in this role, “Saunders was instrumental in helping to lead the COVID-19 response. In August 2020, he was asked to serve as interim executive director.”

Shelly Smith, Director of Boards and Commissions.  Smith has served in a variety of leadership roles in various organizations including the National Parent Teacher Association, Community Council, Ogden Breakfast Exchange Club, Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce, Davis Chamber of Commerce and Ogden Rotary Club.

“After a thorough interview process, I’m convinced each of these candidates will serve the citizens of Utah exceptionally well,” Cox wrote in a press release announcing the 19 appointees. “Each has impeccable qualifications, brings fresh ideas, and most importantly, is devoted to public service. We’re lucky to have such brilliant minds willing to serve the public.”

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

2 hours ago

A bus carrying Easter worshippers fell off a cliff, killing 45 people in the Mamatlakala mountain p...

Amy Cassidy, CNN

Bus carrying Easter worshippers falls off cliff killing 45 people in South Africa

An eight-year-old girl who survived the bus crash in South Africa has been airlifted to hospital according to local media.

2 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

2 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

3 hours ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

6 hours ago

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

St. George Mayor, among others announced for Gov-elect Spencer Cox cabinet