Intermountain Best of 2009 Judges  December 2009
Rich Thorn Rich Thorn President/CEO Associated General Contractors of Utah
Thorn has more than three decades of experience in the construction industry. He has been with the AGC of Utah for 29 years, including 27 as president/CEO. Thorn comes from a construction family; his great-grandfather, Ashel O. Thorn, owned a heavy-highway contracting company in Utah County.
Mehrdad Samie Mehrdad Samie Project Architect ajc architects
A native of Iran, Samie came to the U.S. at the age of 16, ending up in Salt Lake City when his car broke down. He has more than 20 years experience as an architect and has been with ajc since 2004. His design background includes institutional buildings, historic preservation/adaptive re-use and retail.
Mark Rydalch Mark Rydalch Vice President Rydalch Electric
Rydalch came to work for the family electrical contracting business 13 years ago after a four-year career as a starting guard for the University of Utah Runnin’ Utes basketball team.
Jack Wixom Jack Wixom Vice President Jacobsen Construction Co.
Wixom has been working in the construction industry for more than 11 years and recently returned to Jacobsen in August after spending the past three years as an LDS mission president in Washington, D.C.
Chris Bedford Chris Bedford Regional Sales Headwaters Inc.
A native of upstate New York, Bedford has 35 years experience working in the construction industry. He has spent the past 24 years in the coal combustion materials (fly ash) industry.
Richard Brown Richard Brown Business Development Director, Geary Construction
Brown has been working in the construction industry since 1994 and has been with Coalville, Utahbased Geary Construction the entire time. He resides in Evanston, Wyo.
Ross Wentworth Ross Wentworth Principal NWL Architects
Wentworth has been a practicing architect in Utah for 30 years, with an emphasis in the design of educational facilities. His expertise also includes design for government and municipal projects, private institutions and recreational facilities.
Jimmy Harper Jimmy Harper General Manager Harper Ready Mix
Harper grew up in the construction industry. His father, Rulon Harper, founded Harper Cos. in 1968. The younger Harper has nearly 30 years experience and has been the GM of Harper Ready Mix for the past 10 years.
Murry Mullenax Murry Mullenax Senior Underwriter Traveler’s
Mullenax is a native of Mississippi and has worked as a surety bond underwriter since 1987 after graduating from Mississippi State. He was transferred to Utah in 1991 and has been in the Salt Lake area since then. He currently serves as president of the Utah Surety Association.