Grand County Council member Curtis Wells announced on Tuesday, Aug. 14, that he has been nominated as Utah Association of Counties President.
The Utah Association of Counties (UAC) is a voluntary, statewide organization supported by the 29 counties of Utah. Ten counties nominated Wells to the position, according to a press release.
“At the age of eighteen, I began working in the mineral acquisition business, which quickly put me on a path that merged rural Utah with corporate boardrooms,” Wells said. “From the beginning of my career, corporate governance and management have been a big part of my life. I’ve experienced all the elements of organizational culture, from being a member of an executive team to serving on various boards of directors.”
Wells was recently appointed to the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board and the National Association of Counties Western Interstate Region Board earlier this year, he said.
“My corporate background provides me with a unique perspective and the experience needed to understand organizational issues and find solutions. I did this on the Grand County Council in my first year, revamping our budget process, enhancing constituent services, and prioritizing strategic planning to ensure that goals are being set that create accountability,” Wells said.
He continued, “I have been relentless in my work because I understand that ultimately, the health and vitality of an organization falls on good leadership, beginning with the board of directors. As the Utah Association of Counties continues to grow, our challenges and the opportunities to improve become more and more critical.”
The UAC was formed in 1923 to help counties provide effective county governance to the people of Utah. According to the UAC, the official members of the UAC are all 299 elected county officials.
“However we also … strive to be a source or unity and discussion of important issues,” the UAC website mentions. Wells said that working with the UAC provides the opportunity to improve member county and association relationships.
“We have an opportunity to be a consistent quality resource to all counties and elected officials, regardless of class of county or political affiliation,” Wells said. “UAC is at a pivotal point. We need leadership that has the experience and work ethic to move the needle and unite the association behind a clear vision.”
Wells, who currently serves as the vice chair to the Grand County Council, summarized the nomination by saying, “I am humbled to have received nominations from across the State. I believe that my leadership style is what UAC needs to move forward and be a resource to the counties. We are stronger together.”
Wells: State leadership needs ‘work ethic to move the needle’
