UTAH LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS JOHN CANNON AS DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH OFFICE
Veteran legislative staffer, community leader, and public affairs director to return to OLRGC
SALT LAKE CITY - Today, Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser and Utah House Minority Leader Brian King announced that the hiring subcommittee of the Utah Legislature unanimously recommends that John Q. Cannon assume leadership of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC).
John Cannon served the Utah State Legislature for over two decades, first as an analyst, then rising to the leadership position of Managing Policy Analyst for OLRGC. Cannon was recognized for his vast knowledge of the legislative process, leadership ability, willingness to innovate, and for encouraging greater citizen participation in government. Cannon left OLRGC in 2012 to work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he currently serves as the Director of Community and Government Affairs.
House Minority Leader, and co-chair of the hiring committee Brian King said, "I look forward to John's leadership at OLRGC. He brings to the job excellent experience from prior service in that office as well as government relations work in the private sector. His integrity and commitment to quality will allow the office to move forward on the foundation built by Mike Christensen."
Senate co-chair, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser said, "John is an innovator and a diplomat, with expert knowledge of legislative processes here in Utah and around the nation. He has the experience and leadership ability to get the work done. The choice was not easy. We had a very strong group of applicants, but he rose to the top. If you were to craft an ideal skill set for this position, John Cannon has it."
As director, Cannon will succeed Michael Christensen, who has led the award-winning Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel since 2000.
In 2012, John Cannon received a staff achievement award from the National Conference of State Legislators, which stated in part, "John possesses a unique array of superior technical skills combined with a first-rate political acumen and an unassuming and down-to-earth demeanor, great sense of humor, and compassion for others."
John Cannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University.
The six-member Legislative Research Subcommittee is equally balanced between both political parties and both legislative chambers. Their recommendation will now go to the Legislative Management Committee for approval, then ratification by the full Utah State Legislature.
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The Best of What’s Next:
OUTSIDE Announces Gear of the Show from
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow
Salt Lake City, UT (July 26, 2017)—OUTSIDE, America’s preeminent active and outdoor lifestyle brand, is on site at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow and has released its Gear of the Show, a list of top products from the event. The list is available here.
The Outdoor Retailer trade show is the country’s largest outdoor sports show, displaying the newest gear, apparel, footwear and sports accessories from thousands of retailers. The Gear of the Show awards represent the best of the best that the industry has to offer for the season, as judged by the gear experts at OUTSIDE.
"The Gear of the Show picks represent what we're most excited about for Summer 2018,” said OUTSIDE Buyer’s Guide Editor, Will Egensteiner. “Whether it's a groundbreaking new technology, an existing design rethought in a new way or even a fun piece of gear that will make getting outdoors more accessible, these six products, chosen by Outside's gear editors, have the potential to transform the market."
OUTSIDE’s Gear of the Show picks:
· BioLite Solar Home 620 lights: Featuring a six-watt solar panel, three daisy-chain lights, and USB-charging capability, the 620 is like a mini entertainment system for backcountry huts and VWs. An evolution of BioLite’s camp solar system—the BLXL Solar Kit—the SolarHome has the potential to ease the burden on your rig’s overworked batteries (www.bioliteenergy.com).
· Hydro Flask Unbound Series Soft Cooler Pack: These coolers hit the sweet spot in terms of size, at 25 liters—big enough for at least a couple six-packs. And the waterproof 420-denier nylon resembles a fashion piece more than a technical tool. The Ultralon Buoyancy foam is flexible and won’t compress after a lot of use. Plus, the Unbound can stand on its own, and the zipper wraps almost all the way around the lid, maximizing opening space (hydroflask.com).
· Yeti Panga Submersible Duffel: Built with the same tough-as-nails, high-density nylon and Hydrolock zipper as Yeti’s soft-sided Hopper coolers, the Panga is completely waterproof and airtight. That means you can dunk it in the river and not worry about any of your gear getting wet. Padded backpack straps allow for easy hauling into the backcountry or across an airport, and 12 lash points make for an easy tie-down. The inside is dominated by a cavernous storage space, but a few stowaway pockets help organize your essentials (yeti.com/panga).
· Columbia Omni-Shade Sun Reflector Technology: The outside of each shirt is coated with tiny dots of titanium dioxide—a common ingredient in mineral sunscreens. Those dots work together to deflect the sun’s rays before they hit your skin. They also deflect some of the sun’s heat to keep you cool (columbia.com/uv-protective-clothing ).
· Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoe: The upper in this gym-specific model is made from an engineered mesh—a single piece of fabric knit looser on the top of the foot for more breathability and tighter on the sides for more support. The tech is similar to the foot-hugging Flyknit construction Nike employs (blackdiamondequipment.com).
● Tecnica Forge Custom Hiking Boot: Using a revolutionary 360° fit concept, the out-of-the box fit will feel like a second skin with C.A.S. Technology solving various fit issues quickly and easily. Specialty retailers will be able to, within 20 minutes, completely customize the shoes to create the first shoe shaped for you (tecnicausa.com/forge).
OUTSIDE’s Gear of the Show list can be viewed online here. For more information on OUTSIDE’s Gear of the Show or to schedule an interview with an editor, please contact Kailey McGarvey at kailey@rosengrouppr.com or 646.695.7046
About OUTSIDE: OUTSIDE is America’s leading active lifestyle brand. Since 1977, OUTSIDE has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. The OUTSIDE family includes OUTSIDE magazine, the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, The Outside Buyer’s Guides, Outside Online, the Outside Podcast, Outside Television, Outside Events, Outside+ for the iPad, Outside tablet edition, Outside Books, and Outside GO, a revolutionary, 21st-century adventure-travel company. Connect with OUTSIDE online, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Former Expedia executive brings lodging and hotel partnership expertise
Donny brings unmatched insight and leadership from a successful career helping hotels connect to customers and expand their reach through travel partners.”
— Daniel A. Nelson, Executive Chairman of TravelPass Group
LEHI, UTAH, UNITED STATES, July 26, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TravelPass Group, a hotel marketplace with over a million properties worldwide, today announced it has named Donny Cornuaud as vice president of hotel product. Cornuaud will join TravelPass Group’s supply team in Dallas.
Previously, Cornuaud was director of the global partner group for Expedia’s lodging partner services. At Expedia, Cornuaud was responsible for developing the strategy and vision for the company, as well as collaborating with hotel chains to implement and support Expedia- and hotel-driven initiatives and developments. Prior to his tenure at Expedia, Cornuaud was an early member of the Hotels.com lodging team that helped establish its hotel-connect platform.
“Donny brings unmatched insight and leadership from a successful career helping hotels connect to customers and expand their reach through travel partners,” said Daniel A. Nelson, executive chairman of TravelPass Group. “Donny understands direct hotel connectivity from the ground up. His background, expertise and reputation will help us accelerate the next phase of our company and bring value to every stakeholder at the table.”
“Over the last 20 years, there’s been a transition in the hotel industry. It’s gone from traditional travel agents to a more targeted and customized online experience,” said Ryan McCoy, co-founder and CEO of TravelPass Group. “We’re fortunate Donny is joining us and expect he will help push our strategy and innovations to transform the travel experience not only for consumers, but also for businesses and our hotel partners.”
For more than 15 years with Expedia and Hotels.com, Cornuaud led an experienced team of revenue, connectivity and account managers who actively engaged with hotel companies to maximize their exposure and increase their relevancy within the Expedia collection of sites. Prior to his online travel agency experience, he worked at Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
TravelPass Group is a leading technology company in the travel industry. Its marketplace empowers hotels to maximize distribution while helping travelers find the best rates. With more than a million properties worldwide and five travel-related websites, TravelPass Group is truly demystifying the hotel booking process for both consumers and hotels.
About TravelPass Group
TravelPass Group is a leading technology company in the travel industry. Spun out of the Utah-based company Partner Fusion, TravelPass Group is a marketplace for independent and brand name hotels, wholesalers, and the world’s largest travel agencies, providing travelers with the best rates. It has been featured multiple times as one of the fastest growing companies by Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000. TravelPass Group books 10,000 room nights per day through its five travel-related websites, including ReservationCounter.com and ReservationDesk.com, and a best-in-class customer service center that helps travelers access more than a million properties worldwide.
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DNR Appoints New Division of Wildlife Resources Director
Salt Lake City (July 26, 2017) – Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Mike Styler has named Mike Fowlks the new director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
Fowlks has more than 24 years’ experience with DWR and has been the agency’s deputy director for the past five years. He has served successfully as the division’s interim director since early June, when his predecessor, Greg Sheehan, accepted a leadership position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Successful management of Utah’s wildlife requires nimble and forward-thinking leadership. That’s exactly what Mike brings to the table. I am so impressed with his vision, proactive leadership and commitment to active wildlife management,” said Styler. “Our wildlife is in outstanding shape and under his direction, I’m confident it will remain that way.”
Fowlks began his career at the DWR as a field conservation officer in the agency's Law Enforcement Section. He distinguished himself as a leader and quickly worked his way through the ranks, serving as the Law Enforcement Section chief for eight years. He also served as the agency's liaison with the Utah Legislature between 1997 and 2003.
“I am excited and humbled at the opportunity to serve as the Division’s new director, and I share my predecessor’s commitment to active, hands-on management of our wildlife resources. I believe that this is the only way to maintain thriving and robust wildlife populations,” said Fowlks. “Utahns value wildlife. It’s part of what makes our state such a special place to live. While challenges still exist, we are poised to handle them and excited to build partnerships that keep Utah’s wildlife thriving.”
Improving wildlife habitat and relationships with partners and customers is at the forefront of Fowlks’s priorities. DWR is beginning a new era of research and discovery that will focus on the migration and habitat needs of wildlife. The agency will also continue to develop strong partnerships with key wildlife stakeholder groups and will leverage technology to improve hunters’ and anglers’ experiences.
Fowlks received his B.S. degree in zoology and animal biology from the University of Utah. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement Administrators and the National Conservation Leadership Institute.
