Gov. Cox honors state employees with Governor’s Award for Excellence

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct 1, 2026) - Gov. Spencer J. Cox honored 24 state employees with the Governor's Award for Excellence during a ceremony at the Utah State Capitol today.

Established in 2007, the annual award recognizes distinguished service and exceptional contributions by state employees.

"Utahns count on our state employees every day, often without knowing the names of the people doing the work," said Gov. Cox. "These award recipients care about getting it right and making life better for the people they serve. I'm grateful for their dedication and proud to recognize them."

Learn more about the 2026 recipients and their accomplishments:

Katriina Adair, DOCJ
Outstanding Public Service
Over 13 years of state service, Katriina has consistently strengthened every agency she has served. Beginning in Governor Herbert's communications team, Katriina deployed her precise writing skills to serve Utah constituents. She then joined the Division of Finance as a Research Analyst, using her keen attention to detail to drive key procedural improvements. Since joining IDC in 2019, Katriina has transformed agency operations. She serves as our internal compass for state policies, designed and implemented IDC's on-site grant monitoring program to safeguard taxpayer funds, revised grant agreements for clarity, and completely overhauled the agency website. Katriina's enduring dedication, expertise, and operational leadership make her an invaluable asset to our team and exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Paul Allred, Financial Institutions
Outstanding Public Service
Paul is receiving the Governor's Award for Excellence in Outstanding Public Service for his transformative legal and regulatory leadership. Following a career in industry and the Attorney General's Office, Paul joined the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as Deputy Commissioner in 1999. Over his distinguished tenure, Paul's insights have shaped Utah's robust banking market. His greatest strength is evaluating proposed statutes and business models to identify growth opportunities while mitigating excessive risk. Through his wisdom and candor, DFI, the Legislature, and industry leaders have successfully nurtured responsible innovation while avoiding costly pitfalls. Paul's rigorous analysis has solidified Utah's reputation as a credible, leading financial services center, ensuring Utah consumers and businesses retain access to safe, reliable financial products. DFI thanks Paul for his unwavering commitment to public service.

William Barlow, Labor Commission (Award Accepted by Chris Hill)
Outstanding Public Service
Will, legal counsel for the Utah Labor Commission, delivers exceptional public service through his expert management of appellate-level Motions for Review. Will meticulously researches underlying proceedings, applies relevant statutes, and drafts clear, accurate orders for both the Labor Commission Appeals Board and the Commissioner. In FY26 alone, he was integral in drafting and issuing 99 orders-all completed with remarkable timeliness, accuracy, and minimal oversight. Despite significant administrative hurdles this past year, including an Appeals Board vacancy, Will successfully navigated complex scheduling constraints within the mandatory 90-day window. Furthermore, he provided critical guidance to the Commissioner and Governor to fill the board seat. Will ensures every individual and business before the Commission is treated with complete fairness, competency, and respect. His professional excellence, independence, and steady leadership make him an invaluable asset to the Legal Unit and highly deserving of this award.

Julia Breinholt-Pappas, Governor
Peer Leadership
As Deputy Communications Director for Gov. Cox, Julia demonstrates outstanding leadership and an unwavering commitment to public service. She consistently proves that no crisis is too complex and no deadline is too tight. Whether shaping critical messaging under extreme pressure, orchestrating major press campaigns, or seamlessly navigating media relations, her strategic vision keeps the office grounded and moving forward. Julia brings a rare combination of proactive energy and reliable execution to her work; when she leads a project, it is handled with absolute precision. Beyond her sharp instincts, her positive attitude and collaborative spirit lift the entire communications team every single day. Julia serves as an indispensable partner to the communications director, chief of staff, Governor, and cabinet alike. Her tireless dedication to her role, her colleagues, and the people of Utah makes her exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Mark Coon, UNG
Outstanding Public Service
Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership and initiative as the Utah Army National Guard Deputy Protection Branch Chief and Acting Provost Marshal. Managing five critical protection programs and assuming oversight of a sixth-despite limited staffing and tight budgets-he has ensured total operational readiness across the organization. Under his leadership, Utah's protection programs ranked in the top one-third nationally during the National Guard Bureau Triennial Assessment, with the Counter Insider Threat Program earning the #1 ranking in the nation. He has coordinated security for major high-profile events with federal, state, and local partners, mentored nine Major Subordinate Commands, and integrated vital security requirements into major infrastructure projects like the Joint Force Headquarters South Gate modernization and the I-15 expansion. Additionally, Mark led the Visitor Control Center rollout, including the hiring of personnel and overseeing more than 1,200 background checks with a 96.4% approval rate. His dedication strengthens installation security and makes him exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Jennifer Duff, CCE
Embracing Innovation
Jennifer is the lead graphic designer for Cultural & Community Engagement (CCE). She has excelled in managing the department's state brand rollout. Volunteering to adopt the new state branding early, Jenny spearheaded implementation starting with the Utah Historical Society ahead of the Museum of Utah opening. Drawing on her deep branding expertise, Jenny partnered with the state's contract agency to build comprehensive brand kits-complete with logos, color palettes, and assets-for all nine CCE divisions. She translated high-level implementation plans into cohesive design strategies, managing workflows and creative decisions across internal teams and external contractors. Jenny's thorough approach extended beyond CCE, as she provided valuable brand guidance to four additional state agencies while maintaining meticulous quality control. Throughout this major rollout, Jenny continued delivering exceptional design work for annual department projects. Her creative problem-solving, brand leadership, and dedication make her highly deserving of the Governor's Award for Excellence.

Joe Ferrari, DABS
Peer Leadership
Joe consistently demonstrates exceptional peer leadership, fostering collaboration and strengthening the culture of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services. As a Compliance Specialist, Joe combines deep statutory knowledge with a supportive approach that makes him a trusted resource agency-wide. He routinely steps up to help others succeed, eagerly taking on critical new projects. When DABS needed someone to manage electronic meetings for the ABS Commission, Joe stepped in. When his team faced heavy backlogs in application and background check reviews, Joe stepped in again to carry the load. Joe embodies the core values DABS strives to cultivate. His influence extends far beyond his core responsibilities, inspiring peers to perform at their best and collaborate on lasting solutions. Joe is an invaluable member of the team and highly deserving of the Governor's Award for Excellence.

Savannah Gressmen, DHHS
Outstanding Public Service
DHHS proudly nominates Savannah Gressman, Transition to Adult Living caseworker, for the Governor's Award for Excellence. Her extraordinary dedication to Utah's youth in child welfare exemplifies compassionate, tireless public service. Savannah regularly works after hours and weekends to ensure stable, daily support for those in her care. She goes well beyond her core duties to build belonging-staying overnight in hospitals during surgeries, creating graduation leis, and traveling hours to celebrate milestones. Additionally, she advocates fiercely for kinship relationships and youth interests within the legal system. A trusted leader, Savannah supports offices with CPS cases and mentors new employees agency-wide. Since January, she has maintained a 100% CPR data compliance rate with zero overdue items, demonstrating exemplary accountability. Savannah's leadership, reliability, and heart are transforming lives and strengthening Utah families. She has earned our strongest recommendation for this honor.

Naomi Kisen, UDOT
Outstanding Public Service
Naomi, a 15-year UDOT veteran and Senior Environmental Program Manager, expertly navigates complex National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes for Utah's most high-profile transportation initiatives. Her strategic balance of regulatory compliance with community and economic needs directly supports Utah's Quality of Life Framework. Naomi leads critical, multi-year projects, including the Heber Valley Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the sensitive Northern Corridor pursuit. Managing overlapping state, federal, and municipal jurisdictions, she ensures complete legal compliance while balancing agricultural protection, regional traffic demands, and conflicting stakeholder interests. As agency expert in air quality, endangered species, and cultural resources, she integrates vital environmental protections early into project development. Through transparent communication and structured problem-solving, Naomi builds trust with federal agencies, local governments, and the public to resolve complex gridlock. Her exceptional leadership clears the path for safe infrastructure while protecting Utah's natural heritage, making her highly deserving of this honor.

Robert Kohutek, UDVMA
Outstanding Public Service
Over the past four years, Robert has demonstrated outstanding leadership, operational precision, and an unwavering commitment to Utah's military-connected community. In this vital role, Robert oversees a portfolio of 314 educational institutions, ensuring nearly 39,000 military-connected students seamlessly receive almost $500,000,000 in VA education and housing benefits. Serving as the primary liaison between federal, state, and academic entities, he ensures veterans confidently access their earned benefits. Robert's dedication is reflected in an impeccable operational track record. Under his leadership, the SAA achieved 100% compliance with its VA cooperative agreement and met or exceeded every performance metric. Notably, Utah was one of only ten states nationwide to achieve 100% reapproval of continuing institutions. Out of 62 approval actions, all were completed early or on time with zero quality-concern returns.

Helen Lau, DEQ
Exemplary Leadership
Over the past year, Helen successfully led her team through the complex process of revising state regulations and applying for Safe Drinking Water Act primacy under the Consumer Confidence Rule. Learning new processes alongside her staff, she provided clear direction, fostered skill development, and empowered team members to take on meaningful responsibilities. As manager of Utah's Operator Certification Program, Helen championed the development of a user-friendly certification and training database serving over 1,500 drinking water operators statewide. This streamlined platform simplifies certification tracking, supports the Cross Connection Control program, and significantly improves program transparency and efficiency. Additionally, Helen leads the Division's enforcement team with a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset-prioritizing technical assistance and partnership to help public water systems maintain compliance and protect public health. Helen's vision, dedication, and positive impact on her team make her deeply deserving of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Exemplary Leadership.

Eric MacArt, DPS
Embracing Innovation
Originally recruited to support a legislatively mandated CAD-to-CAD HUB project, Trooper MacArt quickly became the lead and operational anchor for multiple high-profile technology deployments. MacArt independently mastered the complex HUB system, successfully bridging the gap between operational law enforcement needs and IT architecture. When DPS faced a critical Records Management Software (RMS) transition, his expertise enabled a seamless rollout in under 60 days-a timeline virtually unheard of nationwide. He then successfully executed a secondary RMS deployment for the Utah Division of Natural Resources under an equally tight deadline. Additionally, MacArt coordinated the massive deployment of over 1,200 body-worn and in-car video systems alongside evidence storage infrastructure. His technical ingenuity, proactive leadership, and relentless work ethic make him exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Rozan Mitchell, Lt. Governor
Outstanding Public Service
Hired in 2023 as the Lieutenant Governor's Office's first-ever Training Coordinator, Rozan transformed a brand-new role into an indispensable statewide resource. Prioritizing Lt. Governor Henderson's vision for standardized election training, Rozan has developed 15 required courses for county clerks and election workers, two public courses on signature gathering, and seven additional modules currently in development. She has been instrumental in maintaining the Olene Walker VOTE Certification program in partnership with Weber State University, which now boasts 44 graduates. Beyond curriculum design, Rozan conducts quarterly county visits and leads bi-weekly training sessions during peak election cycles to deliver timely, procedural guidance. Rozan's election expertise, initiative, and genuine kindness make her a trusted mentor to election officials across Utah. Her leadership and dedication make her an ideal candidate for this honor.

Abigail Orton, GOPB
Peer Leadership
Since joining the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) in 2020, Abby has consistently strengthened office culture, streamlined workflows, and driven seamless operations through kindness and integrity. Now serving as Finance and Operations Manager, Abby oversees day-to-day budgets for the Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor's Office, and GOPB. She orchestrated the smoothest compilation of the Governor's Budget Recommendation book to date and championed staff development by coordinating specialized Executive Education leadership training. During the 2026 Session, her sharp fiscal advocacy helped limit agency budget reductions and successfully convert them to one-time cuts. Having recently earned her MPA and Utah Leadership Certification, Abby empowers her peers while managing complex state budgets with excellence. Her selfless dedication, continuous innovation, and collaborative leadership make her deeply deserving of this honor.

Randolph Prawitt, Tax Commission
Outstanding Public Service
Randolph has had an exceptional career at the Utah State Tax Commission. Virtually every Utahn who has filed a tax return or registered a vehicle has benefited from Randolph's work. Serving as the essential bridge between dense statutory law and everyday life, he translates complex tax and motor vehicle legislation into clear, accessible forms and instructions that allow the public to navigate state services with confidence. Randolph works tirelessly behind the scenes to advocate for the taxpayer, consistently simplifying confusing processes into manageable tasks. Randolph Prawitt embodies the true spirit of public service by dedicating his career to making government work better for the people it serves. For his unsung advocacy, dedication, and lasting impact on our state, he is deeply deserving of this honor.

Stacie Russell, BP&P
Embracing Innovation
Over the past year, Stacie provided expert leadership and innovation to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, advancing key initiatives across technology, sentencing guidelines, and system modernization. Stacie was instrumental in creating the first automated information pipeline between the Board and the Utah Judiciary. As a key contributor to the new BOPP Connect system, she replaced time-consuming manual processes with real-time sentencing document sharing. She also provided crucial subject matter expertise to the Utah Sentencing Commission as they evaluated future pathways, and guided improvements to the new offender management system by representing the Board in the UCIMS Project. Stacie's dedication and expert command of her field shine continuously. Her ongoing efforts have streamlined agency processes, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and driven meaningful progress across Utah's justice system. She is exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Dan Schuring, DWS
Outstanding Public Service
Substantial program oversight drives extensive legislative engagement with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS), and Dan Schuring is essential to navigating it. Dan tracks all departmental legislative assignments through completion. During Utah's 45-day session, he coordinates the review of hundreds of bills to ensure federal conformity, evaluate policy impacts, and submit timely fiscal notes for lawmakers. His legislative assignment workload grew 38% from 2025 to 2026-a remarkable 195% increase since 2022. Beyond the session, Dan manages compliance with state reporting mandates, ensures agency adherence to newly passed legislation, and tracks performance measures for every line item and appropriation. Dan's work is pivotal to state compliance, offering complete transparency and reassuring lawmakers and the public that DWS manages its programs responsibly. DWS deeply appreciates his dedication and proudly recognizes his exceptional service with the 2026 Governor's Award for Excellence.

Andrew Sprafke, DNR
Heroism
Since joining Utah State Parks nearly three years ago, Drew has leveraged his EMT and Search and Rescue (SAR) expertise to lead vital emergency responses. From January to June 2026 alone, Drew spearheaded 11 major SAR incidents across Goblin Valley and the San Rafael Swell, rescuing lost, injured, and flood-trapped visitors where every minute counts. Drew doesn't back down from an emergency situation and meets these challenges with skill, problem-solving, and a strong desire to help. To build team capacity, Drew created comprehensive emergency training programs for seasonal staff, covering essential CPR and first aid. As Chair of the State Parks Training Team, he guides division-wide instructor development and helped launch a new staff training conference this year. Drew collaborates seamlessly with the Emery County Sheriff's Office, EMS, and local SAR teams. His proactive leadership, fearless emergency response, and dedication to visitor safety consistently represent the difference between life and tragedy, making him exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Jacob Stark, CPB
Peer Leadership
The Capitol Preservation Board is proud to recognize Jacob for his exceptional leadership, dedication, and collaborative spirit across the Capitol Hill Complex. During recent major construction projects, Jacob went well beyond his scope, providing meticulous quality control on building finishes to uphold CPB standards. Navigating a fully operational Capitol alongside fluid construction schedules, he maintained clear, proactive communication across all agencies and visitors. Notably, his focus on ADA pathway signage ensured accessible routes and minimized disruptions throughout the complex. Beyond technical oversight, Jacob expanded team capacity by fostering seamless collaboration with architectural and construction partners, guaranteeing accurate project punch-walks and keeping stakeholders aligned. By managing expectations and resolving challenges proactively, he protected the office's reputation and sustained high standards of excellence.

Chantel Tonks, Commerce
Embracing Innovation
Chantel, the Division of Consumer Protection's first investigative technologist, consistently drives forward-thinking innovation. Combining technical curiosity with investigative rigor, she leads complex cases across social media, AI, and blockchain. Chantel pioneered AI tools that streamline workflows and save hundreds of staff hours. Notably, following the passage of SB73 requiring website age verification, she built an automated screening tool that spared state employees from viewing sensitive content while accelerating compliance efforts. Beyond investigations, Chantel played an invaluable role in the Department's technology policy efforts during the 2026 General Session. Her unique ability to translate complex tech concepts for non-technical audiences has proven indispensable for investigations, policy, and litigation. Now a sought-after advisor for state and national partners, Chantel is a recognized leader in government AI. Her expertise, initiative, and spirit of innovation make her exceptionally deserving of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Embracing Innovation.

Ries Trenary, UDAF
Embracing Innovation
Ries has fundamentally transformed the Feed and Fertilizer Laboratory, driving operational efficiency and expanding its analytical capabilities. By developing an innovative method to increase the lab's target metals from two (Phosphorus and Potassium) to 27-including all essential minerals and heavy metals-Ries enabled unified testing protocols for both animal feeds and fertilizers. Featuring detection limits from parts-per-million to whole percentages, this breakthrough significantly reduces chemical waste and accelerates sample turnaround times. Ultimately, Ries's work ensures Utah's livestock and pets receive safe, adequate nutrition while providing producers and consumers with precise product insights. Through these technical advancements and dedication to public service, Ries empowers the laboratory to serve more Utahns every year.

Jennifer Wakefield, GovOps
Embracing Innovation
Jennifer's leadership in modernizing the State of Utah's talent acquisition process through the implementation of the new Human Capital Management (HCM) system is exemplary. As Recruitment Director, Jennifer spearheaded the complex transition to the Vantage recruiting platform, fundamentally transforming how the state attracts and secures top-tier talent. Jennifer managed the entire system lifecycle-from configuring complex workflows for requisitions, screening, and onboarding to training HR generalists and executing rigorous testing protocols. Her innovation shines through her vision for a data-driven recruitment culture, building robust analytics dashboards to track key metrics like Time-to-Hire and offer acceptance rates. Furthermore, she championed skills-based hiring, leveraging the platform to evaluate verifiable candidate competencies and broaden the state's talent pool. Jennifer's ability to navigate large-scale technical change while maintaining high standards, fostering team collaboration, and delivering measurable ROI makes her an outstanding candidate for the Governor's Award for Excellence in Embracing Innovation.

Sarah Ward, DEQ
Peer Leadership
Sarah consistently goes above and beyond to support colleagues across the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Innovative and collaborative, she develops essential policies, templates, and training resources that boost efficiency and help staff achieve DEQ's mission. Her leadership shines in building consensus. This past year, Sarah spearheaded a new administrative rule, working seamlessly with DEQ teams and local health departments to ensure all stakeholders had a voice. Whether facilitating discussions, supporting new initiatives, or simply bringing snacks to foster engagement, Sarah creates an environment where people feel valued. She leads by example with an infectious positive attitude, strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to public service. By strengthening relationships within DEQ and across partner agencies, Sarah brings lasting benefits to the department and the communities we serve. She is a trusted leader and truly deserving of this honor.

Emily Wetherley, Insurance
Peer Leadership
Emily embodies excellence in peer leadership, seamlessly weaving fairness, transparency, compassion, and integrity into her daily work. Her sustained impact elevates her team, her division, and the Utah Insurance Department. Leading with patience and empathy, Emily creates an inclusive environment where every voice is heard. She is quick to champion new initiatives, recently collaborating across teams to launch two major industry surveys. Additionally, she spearheaded the division's inaugural GRIT project, modernizing a legacy survey process to save significant time for internal staff and external stakeholders alike. When her Division Director took an extended leave, Emily stepped up without hesitation, absorbing director-level responsibilities with grace, confidence, and steady leadership. Whether innovating processes, supporting daily operations, or stepping into critical gaps, Emily drives results through positive, collaborative leadership. She is a fiercely encouraging force and highly deserving of the Excellence in Peer Leadership Award.