Leadership

The elected leadership team has overall responsibility for planning the annual conference and quarterly training luncheons. Feel free to reach out to any of them if you are in a bind and need advice or PIO assistance in a crisis.

Elections generally happen in September each year and the results are announced at the end of the PIO Conference.

Jess Gomez

President

Director of Media Relations
Intermountain Healthcare

John Gleason

Vice President

Public Information Officer
Utah Department of Transportation

Laura Magness

Officer at Large

Public Information Officer
Midvale City

Zach Whitney

Officer at Large

Public Information Officer
Utah Department of Commerce

Rachael Van Cleave

Officer at Large

Communications Manager
City of South Jordan

Tina Brown

Past president

Public Information Officer
Salt Lake County Emergency Management

Joe Dougherty

CoSecretary

Director of Public Affairs
Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Wade Mathews

CoSecretary

Public Information Officer
Utah Division of Emergency Management


Former presidents:

  • Tina Brown, Salt Lake County Emergency Management, 2021 – 2022
  • Christi Judd, Salt Lake City Police Department, 2020
  • Ben Horsley, Granite School District, 2019 – 2022
  • Roxeanne Vainuku, West Valley City Police Department, 2018
  • Wade Mathews, Utah Division of Emergency Management, 2017
  • Justin Hoyal, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 2016
  • Steve Sautter, Salt Lake County Emergency Management, 2015
  • Susan Thomas, Utah Division of Emergency Management, 2014
  • Joe Dougherty, Utah Division of Emergency Management, 2013
  • Tammy Kikuchi, Utah Department of Natural Resources, 2011 – 2012
  • Brian Hyer, Utah Department of Public Safety, 2010 – 11
  • Dwayne Baird, Salt Lake City Police Department, 2003
  • Paula Ernstrom, Utah Division of Emergency Services, 2001 – 2003
  • Shawn Winder, Park City Fire Department, 2001
  • Chris Kramer, Utah Department of Public Safety, 2000 – 2001
  • Phil Kirk, Park City Police Department, 1997 – 2000