Nov 23, 2015 Welcoming New Advisory Board Members!

David Eskelsen

David Eskelsen is the company spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power, Utah’s largest electric utility. He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, then worked as a staff writer for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and Deseret News in Salt Lake City. While at USU, he was editor of The Utah Statesman and was named “Man of the Year” in 1981. His other work has included radio disc-jockey, tree trimmer, doughnut baker, and machine tool operator for manufacturing rocket motors for nuclear missiles. Although born in Durango, Colorado, David grew up in Brigham City, Utah, where five generations of his family have lived. He and his wife, Carla, enjoy their horses, dogs, and cats (Dave not so much the cats, though). Most of all, they love making music together as performing songwriters and folk musicians throughout the Intermountain West.

Sim Gill

Sim Gill graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. degree in History and Philosophy and he worked at the Marriott Library’s general reference desk while attending the U. He received his J. D. degree and certificate of specialization in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He was elected as Salt Lake County District Attorney in November 2010.  Sim has been a prosecutor for more than 20 years, championing the issues of therapeutic justice, criminal prosecution, and alternatives to prosecution. He has long been an advocate of taking a systems approach to the issues of criminal and social justice, focusing on collaborative and community oriented approaches to problem solving.

 Alexandra Hesse

Alexandra Hesse received her Masters of Business from the University of Sydney in Australia and is now the Executive Director of the Leonardo. The Leonardo is an educational and cultural center fusing science, technology, and the arts in experiences that inspire human creativity and innovation. The museum provides opportunities for young people and adults to explore subjects from a variety of perspectives, deepening both understanding and personal relevance.  Alexandra joined The Leonardo in 2006 to oversee development of the museum’s exhibits and programs and was later promoted to Executive Director in January of 2012. Before joining The Leonardo, she held management roles with the Salt Lake and Sydney Olympic organizing committees as well as the Stills Gallery in Sydney.  

Brad Westwood

Brad Westwood received his BA ​in American Studies from BYU​ and received his MS​ in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. His university and professional life has centered on the pursuit of academic and public history, and their intersection with administration and citizen engagement. He has served since May 2013 as the Director of the Utah Division of State History and the Utah State Historical Society. In this capacity he serves as publisher of the Utah State Historical Quarterly and Utah’s SHPO (State Historic Preservation Officer). Previously Brad worked for the LDS Church’s Historical Department as Manager of Acquisitions (museum, archives & library) and Manager of Collection Development. Before this he was Chair of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library (BYU), ran a private consultant firm (Westwood Research & Consulting) and worked for the Athenaeum of Philadelphia (library est. the 1830’s) and Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania.