The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) is excited to announce the appointment of Paul Jolley as the new director of the Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI) and Jack Rasmuson as program analyst.
“Jolley and Rasmuson will be incredible additions to the USBCI team,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of GOEO. “They are energetically committed to advancing USBCI’s mission to strengthen support for small businesses throughout the state. I’m excited to see their impact in Utah.”
Paul Jolley and Jack Rasmuson will play pivotal roles in supporting USBCI’s mission. As director, Jolley will lead the strategic implementation of USBCI, ensuring efficient fund distribution and building lending and community partnerships to unlock approximately $690 million in private investment by 2030. As a program analyst, Rasmuson will analyze market trends, monitor fund allocation, prepare reports, and ensure program compliance, addressing capital access obstacles for Utah’s small businesses. Together with the rest of the USBCI team, they will advance USBCI’s mission, creating a more equitable and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Utah and supporting the Startup State Initiative.
About Paul Jolley
Paul Jolley is an experienced professional with over 35 years in finance and business leadership. He earned degrees in accounting and communications from Brigham Young University and accounting and finance from the University of Utah. Jolley has held significant roles, including CEO, COO, and managing partner, and has expertise in financial re-engineering, mergers and acquisitions, and turnaround management. He is a member of several key organizations, such as the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and the BYU Management Society. Jolley is active in philanthropy, supporting education and cancer research initiatives.
About Jack Rasmuson
Jack Rasmuson holds a master’s degree in public policy from Portland State University, focusing on energy and environmental policy, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in statistics from the University of Utah. He has experience in emergency management, public policy, and energy management. Rasmuson has managed federal grants, led disaster preparedness projects, and worked on community resilience. He has also contributed to policy analysis, fiscal evaluations, and energy efficiency efforts.