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.

The Utah Valley Chamber Welcomes Premier Funeral Services

Whether death is expected or happens suddenly, families find themselves making some of the most difficult decisions during one of the most vulnerable and emotional times of their lives.

Jared Fairbanks funeral director and owner of Premier Funeral Services has over 33 years of professional experience in the funeral industry.  He has attracted the best and brightest funeral directors and staff who show the same high level of compassion for the families they serve as does Jared.  Having worked as the General Manger and Director of Operations in several of Utah's largest funeral homes, Jared had the opportunity to take the best of all business practices and combined them in his business plan for Premier. Jared's talents extend as an artist. He might best be remembered for his well known sculpture of The Christmas Box Angel.

Premier Funeral Services opened their first full service mortuary three years ago in Salt Lake, Utah with the goal of providing the most affordable, best value and the highest quality service in the State of Utah. Premier's staff is available  to meet with families 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the most convenient place for the family whether it be in the privacy of the family's home, a facility, hospital or at our mortuary.  Families have been very appreciative of the personalized one on one attention they received as well as the added bonus in significant cost savings.

Our staff is often asked what area do we serve and our answer has always been, where ever the person lives. Premier Funeral Services provides care throughout the state of Utah and often provides services in nearby states when loved ones are being interred outside of Utah.

Local staff members, Shauna Stimson and Kim Olsen have recently had their own personal experiences with losing a close family member and relying on the respectful and compassionate care of Jared Fairbanks to assist them during their time of loss. Shauna's husband of 20 years died from the effects of Huntington's Disease and Kim Olsen's 21 year old son was killed in Afghanistan while serving as a Marine.

Premier Funeral Services is delighted to announce the Grand Opening of our second full service mortuary located in Orem at 1160 North 1200 West.  An open house will be held both Wednesday, August 1 and Thursday, August 2 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm . The public is invited to attend for light refreshments, tours and door prizes.