The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity announced its award recipients for the 2023 Spring One Utah Summit.
The One Utah Summit, hosted by Gov. Cox, occurs every six months, alternating between northern and southern Utah locations. The upcoming northern Utah Summit takes place on May 1-2, 2023, in Layton, Utah, at the Davis Conference Center, where leaders in industry, the public sector, and expert speakers gather to discuss Utah’s economic development trends and topics. Attendees will gain insights into the state’s pressing issues with opportunities to make connections and expand professional networks.
At the summit, Gov. Cox will recognize individuals and companies that significantly contributed to Utah and beyond in economic development, local communities, and industry. Recipients of the governor’s summit awards live and work full-time in Utah and have supported the local economy for a decade or more.
“We congratulate this year’s One Utah Summit award recipients,” said Gov. Cox. “These individuals and organizations contribute to Utah’s economy and exemplify the values of hard work and togetherness that the Beehive State is known for.”
One Utah Businessperson of the Year — Regina Hokanson, President & CEO, HHI Corporation
Regina Hokanson is the president and CEO of HHI, a construction, engineering, and manufacturing firm. Her advancement came after the joint acquisition of the firm in 2011 with her spouse, Cliff Hokanson, continuing a family legacy of more than 50 years of operating the company. Hokanson has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and leads the effort in acquiring new contracts and projects, including clients such as the Department of Defense and the State Department of the U.S. federal government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HHI created chemical and biological isolation containers to help treat patients.
During her tenure, Hokanson has been instrumental in extensively expanding HHI’s operations, including acquiring a 54-acre campus in 2013 and nearly tripling the number of employees with 50% more women in construction than the U.S. national average. Hokanson’s leadership philosophy centers around hiring exceptional individuals willing to accomplish seemingly impossible projects using the core values HHI’s namesake represents: honesty, hard work, and innovation.
One Utah Business of the Year — Lendio
Founded in 2011 with headquarters in Lehi, Lendio is a free marketplace for small business loans where lenders compete for business. Lendio partners with over 75 lenders to offer small business owners access to working capital to start or grow their businesses. In 2021, Glassdoor ranked Lendio the No. 8 Best Place to Work. Lendio employees benefit from a hybrid work schedule, pay equity, generous benefits, and policies supporting diversity.
One Utah International Business of the Year — Beauty Industry Group
Utah’s Beauty Industry Group sells products in 165 countries to more than 100,000 stylists and salons worldwide. With a mission to deliver true beauty to the world, the hair extension and solution company is headquartered in Salt Lake City with 150 team members. It has additional offices in China, Australia, England, Germany, Canada, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with plans to open physical operations in another four eastern countries by mid-2023. The company’s impressive and continued growth is reflected in the jobs in Utah and worldwide, employing more than 550 workers, with over 3,000 working throughout Asia. Having an internationally-known and respected business headquartered in Utah helps support the state’s goal of being known as the crossroads of the world.
Cameron Russell Williams Rising Impact Award – Kenneth Boggs, The Kenneth Boggs Group
Kenneth Boggs is an African American businessman, philanthropist, investor, and educational speaker passionate about empowering youth. Raised in Los Angeles, Boggs founded Kenneth Boggs Suits in 2012 and quickly became a self-made fashion mogul. In 2017, he and a childhood friend formed The Kenneth Boggs Group, a global business firm with a philanthropic focus engaged in various projects across North America, Africa, and Asia. The group focuses on solving real-world problems, including constructing public restrooms, schools, affordable housing, and medical clinics. As a board member, Kenneth adds valuable insight and support to the foster care community by donating meals, a custom suit for the Fostering Hope Gala, and inviting foster care youth into his business to share his inspiring story and teach etiquette.
Utah Energy Pioneer Award – Sen. David Hinkins, Utah Legislature
Sen. David Hinkins has served in the Utah Legislature since 2009, where his primary focus has been on the state’s natural resources and energy policy. A businessman by trade, Sen. Hinkins worked in the electrical business serving industrial mining and agricultural customers. As a legislator and businessman, he embodied efforts to keep electricity affordable and reliable. His work in and understanding of the energy industry have earned him the trust of state leaders in policy considerations that affect the energy sector.
Utah Energy Pioneer Award – San Rafael Energy Research Center
The San Rafael Energy Research Center, located in Emery County, develops global solutions in sustainable energy from research and piloting to commercialization and local on-site manufacturing. Made possible by partnerships with local universities, government offices, and private sector entities, the anticipated solutions will result in dramatic reductions in the cost of energy, which in turn will accelerate the pace of technological breakthroughs and scientific advancement worldwide.