The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) today announced the appointment of Roger Killpack to its Board of Directors.
Killpack is from Delta, Utah. Since 1985 he has run his family’s business, Service Drug. This has provided him with a unique understanding of what it takes to operate and grow a business in rural Utah. Under his leadership, Service Drug has added a number of valuable services including home delivery, durable medical equipment sales and billing and a compounding lab. These additions enabled him to grow the business from five employees to more than 40 while expanding into other rural communities in Millard County.
Killpack has devoted his career to community service and volunteerism. He’s served on a number of local and regional advisory boards, served in his church and worked tirelessly to foster economic growth and improve civic life in Delta and the entire state. He attended the University of Utah and graduated Cum Laude in 1985 from the College of Pharmacy.
“Roger’s leadership, commitment and vision for economic development, especially in our rural communities, will be a valuable addition to the GOED board,” said Val Hale, GOED executive director. “His knowledge and experience building strategic partnerships between business, government and communities will help GOED further our initiatives.”
Killpack will replace Bevan Wilson on the Board of Directors.
“I’m honored to join the GOED Board of Directors and look forward to working to foster growth in the state,” said Killpack. “I admire the work GOED does and am committed to helping sustain the success we’ve had and developing the strategies needed to help Utah prosper now and for years to come.”
Killpack’s full bio is included below:
Born in Delta, Utah to Ward and Dorothy Killpack, Roger Evan Killpack is youngest of six children. As the son of a pharmacist and a nurse, Roger grew up in an environment where service and care for others was emphasized. An appreciation of teamwork and diversity of thought developed in Roger through participation in high school athletics, art presentations, and local theater during his formative years. Roger is married to Barbara Petersen of Hinckley, Utah. They have four children: Nicholas, age 32; Erin, age 29; Andrew, age 28; and Kellie age 23; as well as seven grandchildren.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Roger attended the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah, graduating Cum Laude in 1985. A love for life in rural Utah, and the desire to raise their children near grandparents prompted Roger and Bobbie to move their family back to Delta following college graduation. Thus, Roger returned to Service Drug, the pharmacy his family has owned since 1939; and Bobbie started a career in nursing with Intermountain Healthcare.
The move to Delta has provided opportunities to the Killpack’s perhaps unavailable elsewhere. In the 1980’s Delta saw the start of an economic boom due to the building of a new coal-fired power plant nearby. Roger has used this environment to grow his business in ways his father never could. When he returned home in 1985, Service Drug had a staff of 5 employees. Currently Service Drug employs 40 individuals in two communities. Services offered have also expanded under Roger’s leadership: a home delivery service was added in 1990, durable medical equipment sales and billing in 1995, and a compounding lab in 2017. Roger and Ward were given the Utah Pharmacy Association Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award in 1998, recognizing their efforts to find new ways to serve their community. In 2004 Service Drug was presented the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award, highlighting its value to the community. Prior to leaving to serve as Mission President in 2011, Roger oversaw the acquisition of Baker Drug in Fillmore, which was retooled and rebranded as a second Service Drug location. All the while, the reputation of the pharmacy has preceded it, being known for its excellent care and consideration of each individual. This mindset is embodied in the business’s mission statement: “Service first at Service Drug.”
Civic and religious life has been an opportunity for Roger to develop talents and serve others in various ways. He has been able to serve in various positions in the LDS Church, affecting hundreds of lives as bishop, stake president and mission president. Roger has also served on numerous local and regional advisory boards, exercising his influence in the community to foster growth and improve civic life in Delta and beyond.