GOED Management Team

Spencer P. Eccles, Executive Director Spencer Peterson Eccles has strong ties to Utah’s urban and rural communities as well as international markets. He is the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development which oversees all business, tourism and film development for the State, including international trade. Formerly affiliated with the Salt Lake City office of Wells Capital Management (Wells Fargo Bank), Eccles has most recently been involved with web-based software and materials technology companies in the U.S. and abroad. In 1997, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games tapped Eccles to manage the development of its Snow Basin venue and oversee the premier Olympic downhill events as well as all of the alpine Paralympic competitions. Eccles’ involvement with Utah’s non-profit community includes his former chairmanship of the Salt Lake Chamber’s International Committee and continuing service on the chamber’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee. Further, he advises with The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. Eccles received his MBA from BYU’s Marriott School of Management and his BA in history from the University of Utah.

Sophia DiCaro, Deputy Director Sophia is the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Prior to this appointment, she served as the department’s finance director. Before joining GOED, Sophia spent seven years in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget in various roles. Sophia is an active board member of the Utah Multicultural Commission and is the co-chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee. She also teaches occasionally at the University of Utah and was recently recognized as being one of Utah’s 30 Women to Watch.

Christopher M. Conabee, Managing Director of Corporate Recruitment and Business Services

Christopher M. Conabee is the managing director of corporate recruitment and business services. As the executive in charge of GOED’s business services pillar, Conabee oversees the business development functions of incentives, government contracting, bonding and business resources. Prior to joining GOED, Conabee was the principal and lead on the development of Silver Star at Park City, a $150 million ski-in-ski-out residential community, and served as a vice president in the financial services firm of Paine Webber, controlling over $1 billion of investor funds.

Vincent E. Mikolay, Managing Director of Business Outreach and International Trade

Vincent Mikolay serves as the managing director of Business Outreach and International Trade, which includes the Utah Clusters Initiative, Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program and State Science Advisor. His prior positions included working with several early-stage technology startups and he has also previously worked for Nike Inc., The Walt Disney Company, Advent Entertainment and Ridemakerz, among others. With over 10 years of experience in operations and business strategy, Mikolay has worked in many countries worldwide and led global teams in opening concept stores.

Vicki Varela, Managing Director of Tourism, Film and Global Branding

Vicki Varela is the managing director of tourism, film and global branding. Prior to returning to state service Varela worked for many years as a marketing consultant to major Utah business operations. One of her most public positions was as spokesperson and deputy chief of staff to Governor Mike Leavitt over an eight year span. She has been in the persuasion business for most of her career during which she organized many successful campaigns, including the statewide ballot initiative that positioned Utah to host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Working behind the scenes, Ms. Varela built brands such as the Kennecott Land Daybreak community and the Prosperity 2020 movement, which is focused on improving Utah’s workforce readiness and educational outcomes.