Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Announces New President and Executive Vice President

Val Hale - New Utah Valley Chamber President

Donna Milakovic, Steve Densley and Val Hale

Contact:  Larissa Davis Director of Public Relations and Marketing   (801) 851-2560  ldavis@thechamber.org

Provo, Utah (Wednesday, June 27, 2012) – The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce announce Val Hale, the Vice President for University Relations from Utah Valley University as President and CEO.

Additionally, a new leadership position has been created, Executive Vice President. The new position will be filled by Donna Milakovic, who has been President and Executive Director for the Lehi Area Chamber of Commerce since 2009.

The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously accepted Val Hale and Donna Milakovic in their new roles which will officially start on July 23, 2012.

Members of the selection committee, headed by current chairwoman of the board, Rona Rahlf, expressed their confidence in Hale and Milakovic and their ability to move the Chamber forward in reaching its goal of making Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce an even stronger advocate for Utah Valley business.
Current Chamber President, Steve Densley said he is excited to see the progress and growth of the Chamber with the new President and Executive Vice President.

“I think the Chamber of Commerce has taken a great step forward in its establishment as the Utah Valley Chamber with the hiring of Vale Hale, who has great connections at UVU and BYU, and Donna Milakovic who has been a four year attendee at the Institute of Organization with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” Densley said. “I support the Board’s decision and wish the new administration well.”
Densley retires August 1, 2012, after 30 years with the Chamber.

Both Hale and Milakovic have great background experience in media, education, politics, public relations and the Utah Valley business and local communities.

When asked about her new position as Executive Vice President of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Milakovic said, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Utah Valley Chamber and look forward to working with businesses and communities throughout the Valley. Steve Densley has been a wonderful mentor and colleague and I wish him all the best.”

Milakovic said she hopes to build on the current strengths of the Chamber with Hale as the new President and the support of an energetic Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors and local community are excited for the Utah Valley Chamber’s future progress under the new leadership.

"I am excited and honored to follow in the footsteps of Steve Densley as President of the Utah Valley Chamber,” Hale said. “My goal is to build upon the foundation created by Mr. Densley and help create a Chamber of Commerce that is widely regarded as one of the best in the country and is looked upon with pride by the business community.  I look forward to serving as the chief advocate for commerce in Utah Valley.”

For more information, please contact Larissa Davis at (801) 851-2560, ldavis@thechamber.org.