GOED Management Team

Q . Val Hale, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Val Hale is the executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), which promotes state growth in business, tourism and film . Hale was appointed to the position in 2014 by Gov . Gary R . Herbert .

Before accepting the position as executive director, Hale served for two years as president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce . Prior to the chamber, Hale was vice president for university relations (2010-2012), vice president for advancement (2006-2010) and assistant vice president for external affairs (2005-2006) all at UVU, and he played a key role in transitioning Utah Valley State College into Utah Valley University .

Before his career at UVU, Hale worked 22 years for the Brigham Young University (BYU) Athletic Department, ultimately serving as its director beginning in 1999 . He received his bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1981 and a master’s degree in communications in 1987—both from BYU . A successful leader, Hale has made many cherished contributions to the Utah Valley area throughout his noteworthy career .

Most recently, Hale has drawn from his many years of service to author “Living a Life That Matters: 7 Keys for Purposeful Living . ” The book will be released this fall .

Hale and his wife have three children and 11 grandchildren, and they currently reside in Orem, UT .

Dr. Kimberly Henrie, Deputy Director

Dr . Kimberly Henrie is the deputy director and chief operating officer of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development . Prior to this appointment, Dr . Henrie served as the assistant vice president of Budget Services and Financial Planning at Salt Lake Community College . Dr . Henrie has worked for the Utah System of Higher Education and in manufacturing for both semiconductors and outdoor recreation equipment . Dr . Henrie earned her doctorate degree in the field of educational leadership & policy from the University of Utah and received her MBA and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international Business from Westminster College .

Theresa A. Foxley, Managing Director of Corporate Recruitment & International Trade

As Managing Director of Corporate Recruitment and International Trade in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Ms . Foxley oversees corporate recruitment and incentives, Utah’s International Trade and Diplomacy, the State Trade and Export Promotions program, and the Aerospace and Defense Cluster .Prior to her recent appointment at GOED, Ms . Foxley was a business and finance attorney with the Salt Lake office of Ballard Spahr, a law firm with 14 offices nationwide, where she represented a diverse set of clients on corporate and financial matters including mergers and acquisitions . Ms . Foxley received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University and Juris Doctorate from the S .J . Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah .

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

Vicki Varela is the managing director of Tourism, Film and Global Branding for the state of Utah . She oversees the state’s national and international tourism marketing strategy . She also works to use film as a billboard for the state’s natural wonders . She is establishing Utah Life Elevated® as the state’s integrated global brand promise for all customers . Through a recently launched Rourism initiative, she is working to expand rural tourism .

Varela’s career has been in the persuasion business . She has held many public and private sector leadership roles, including vice president of Kennecott Land, deputy chief of staff and spokesperson for Governor Mike Leavitt, assistant commissioner of higher education and a key driver for Prosperity 2020 and Utah’s hosting of the 2002 Olympics . She has two adult sons and one beautiful granddaughter .

Benjamin Hart, Managing Director for Urban and Rural Business Services

Benjamin Hart is the Managing Director for Urban and Rural Business Services for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development . His responsibilities include overseeing the GOED programs that help Utah businesses grow . Hart is directly involved in coordinating and convening partners to help support the many businesses across the State . He continues to stay involved in critical workforce related initiatives .

Prior to his position at GOED, Hart served as the director of employer initiatives for the Department of Workforce Services . During his tenure at DWS, Hart oversaw the department’s business services portfolio of programs . Hart helped develop programs such as the Small Business Bridge program, the UCAIR Clean Air Assist program and the Utah Cluster Acceleration Partnership .

Hart completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Utah .