Two Minutes with Alan Matheson, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality
How long have you been Executive Director of Utah Department of Environmental Quality. What’s your best experience thus far?
2 ½ years. My best experience was overseeing “Your Utah, Your Future,” a multi-year effort to develop a strategy to maintain Utah’s high quality of life as our population nearly doubles by 2050. Approximately 400 policy experts and 53,000 Utah residents provided input into the process. The resulting vision, based on research and scenario analysis, addressed energy, economic development, education, transportation, air quality, water, disaster resilience, public lands, recreation, and housing. It is now being implemented.
How has being a member of ECOS benefited you?
Building relationships with my colleagues in other states has been educational and personally rewarding.
What is the best management advice you’ve received?
Surround yourself with good people and work diligently toward their success.
Tell us about your morning ritual.
Workout, Grape Nuts, and morning news.
What was your childhood dream job?
Professional basketball player. Still is, although if I go undrafted again this year, I may have to consider other options.
What’s your favorite moment of your career so far?
Being confirmed unanimously to my current position by the Utah State Senate (on many days, that’s also my least favorite moment).
What leader do you most admire?
My father, who served in many leadership positions. Without fail, he is wise, steady, compassionate, principled, and honest. A great example.
What was your first real job?
Construction work in the Arizona summers.
What can you not live without?
My family and periodic fly fishing and canyoneering adventures.
