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Gary Richard Herbert is Utah's 17th Governor. Prior to becoming governor, he
served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. for nearly
five years, before taking the Oath of Office on Aug. 11, 2009.
Governor Herbert was born in American Fork, Utah, and raised in Orem, Utah.
After graduating from Orem High School, Mr. Herbert served a two-year
mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern
Atlantic States Mission.
While attending BYU, the Governor met and married Jeanette Snelson, from
Springville, Utah. Shortly after their marriage, the Governor joined the
Utah National Guard and served for six years as a staff sergeant working
with target acquisition, artillery and ground survey.
After his military service, the Governor began a career in the real estate
industry, founding Herbert & Associates Realtors, an Orem-based brokerage
firm. He and Jeanette also began a child care service, The Kids Connection,
which they operated for 23 years.
In 1990, the Governor was appointed to the Utah County Commission. Soon
thereafter, he was later elected to the body, which he served for 14 years.
During his time as county commissioner, he served as presidents of the Utah
Association of Counties and the Utah Association of Realtors, and as a board
member of the Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce and Utah Water Conservancy
District.
The Governor currently serves as the Chair of the Economic Development and
Commerce (EDC) Committee of the National Governors Association. He has
previously served on the Healthcare Reform Task Force and the Special
Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety.
In his inaugural address, Governor Herbert outlined his three main
priorities of economic development, public and higher education, and energy
development.
Governor and Mrs. Herbert have six children and 13 grandchildren.
Quick
Facts:
- Was football Quarterback at Orem High School.
- Was captain of baseball team.
- Played position of pitcher and 3rd base.
- Was captain of basketball team.
- Played point guard.
- Began playing tennis at age 28--At age 36, was ranked #1 in Utah in the 35+ open division.
- Has three sons, three daughters, thirteen grandchildren.
- Son-in-law is Ben Cahoon, former All-Star slotback for the Montreal
Alouettes football team.
- Daughter-in-law is American Idol finalist from Utah, Carmen Rasmussen
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