Here's a nice, brief profile of Ogden's young, enthusiastic mayor. He's initiated and promoted some radical ideas (such as the gondola, extensive redevelopment, etc.) that upset the old stodgy NIMBYs, but I think he's done a lot of good for the city and the state. I wonder if he'll move onto a larger stage after his current term in office.
Utah magazine upbeat about Ogden's future
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
By Scott Schwebke
Standard-Examiner staff
sschwebke@standard.net
Mayor Godfrey chosen as state economic player
OGDEN -- A Salt Lake City business magazine has ranked Mayor Matthew Godfrey as one of 25 Utahns responsible for driving the state's economy.
Godfrey will be featured in an article in the December edition of Connect Magazine.
The article will tout Godfrey's role in revitalizing Ogden through projects such as The Junction, a retail, recreational and residential development being built downtown and helping to establish Ogden as a burgeoning hub for the snow-sports industry.
"Mayor Godfrey is well-liked and respected by many of Utah's business community members. His future plans and current accomplishments for Ogden's economic growth are often praised as visionary," said Colin Kelly Jr. senior editor of Connect Magazine.
"Utah's business community recognizes that we can't raise state and local taxes much beyond current levels. The sorely needed additional revenue for government and education must come from sustained long-term economic growth. Mayor Godfrey gets that."
Godfrey finished fifth in an online poll conducted by Connect Magazine to determine which 25 individuals had the most impact on promoting business and growing Utah's economy in 2006. About 700 people responded to the survey.
The top four spots in the poll went to Gov. Jon Huntsman, Sports and Entertainment mogul Larry Miller, billionaire and father of the governor, Jon Huntsman Sr., and Scott Anderson, chief executive officer of Zion' Bank.
Godfrey said he is pleased and surprised to be included with those on the top 25 list. "It's a great honor to be lumped in with that group," he said.
Mike Ostermiller, president of the Weber/North Davis Association of Realtors, said Godfrey deserves to be on the list.
"What I appreciate about Mayor Godfrey is that he doesn't think or act like a regular politician," he said. "He is not afraid of being criticized and is all about doing what he feels is best for Ogden and in driving the economy. He's fearless and tireless."
The nomination process for the top 25 list occurred in the last two weeks of August. About 250 people were nominated by Connect Magazine readers. Final voting took place via an online poll in early September.
Godfrey's mention in next month's edition of Connect Magazine won't be the first time the publication has highlighted Ogden. In May, the magazine's cover story featured the city's success in luring high-tech manufacturing firms such as Adam Aircraft and Fresenius Medical Care as well as several snow-sports companies.
Connect's Utah business leaders, top 20
Jon Huntsman Jr. - Utah governor
Larry Miller - Larry H. Miller Group
Jon Huntsman Sr. - Huntsman Corp.
Scott Anderson - CEO Zions Bank
Matthew Godfrey - Ogden mayor
Alan Hall - chairman, Grow Utah Ventures
Lane Beatie - Salt Lake Chamber president
Greg Butterfield - CEO Altiris
Fred Lampropoulos - CEO Merit Medical
Jack Brittain - Dean, U of U Business School
Dinesh Patel - managing partner vSpring Capital
Paul Allen - founder, Provo Labs
Bob Garff - Garff Enterprises
Fraser Bullock - managing director, Sorenson Capital
Ragula Bhaskar - CEO FatPipe Networks
Betsy Burton - The King's English Bookshop, co-founder/president
James Dreyfous - managing director, UV Partners
David Simmons - CEO, Simmons Media Group
Greg Warnock - managing director, vSpring Capital/Mercato Partners
Harris Simmons - chairman, Zions Bancorporation