WEBER STATE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer
Job Titles:
- Vice President for University Advancement
The Vice President for University Advancement builds and deepens relationships on behalf of Weber State University by leading the University Advancement division that includes Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, Development, Economic Development, Government Relations, Marketing & Communications and University Events. Betsy worked at Northern Arizona University (NAU) for 18 years, most recently as Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and President of the NAU Foundation. She has more than 20 years of development experience, including United Way/Capital Area, St. Edward's University (both in Austin, Texas) and Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Betsy holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.A. in Human Services from St. Edward's University, and a B.A. in English Literature and Political Science from Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, Indiana). She has presented on development at the Association of Governing Boards, Association of Fund-Raising Professionals, CASE, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences Annual Meeting, and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Information Technology
Bret Ellis joined Weber State University in August 2009 as the vice president for Information Technology.
Prior to his arrival at WSU, Ellis was at Brigham Young University-Hawaii where, he served as dean of the School of Computing and as the university's chief information officer. Ellis first joined the faculty at BYU-Hawaii in 1986.
Ellis earned his doctorate in information systems and computer science at Brigham Young University. He has a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in administrative systems from Utah State University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Student Affairs
Job Titles:
- Proposal Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Advisor ( Student Last Names a - I )
Job Titles:
- President
- in 2004 As Associate Vice President for Support and Government Relations
- President / President Mortensen 's Video Appearances
- President of Weber State University
Dr. Brad L. Mortensen became the 13th president of Weber State University on January 1, 2019, with a call to action for the Weber State family to "Become louder and prouder about Weber State University." Two recent 2021 rankings -- #19 in the nation by AffordableSchools.net for affordability and outcomes and #2 "Best for Vets" by Military Times -- demonstrate the Weber State's great, Great, GREAT success and progress toward achieving the vision of being "a leader in transforming lives by meeting all students where they are, challenging and guiding them to achieve their goals academically and in life."
Brad--as he prefers to be called--strives to be accessible to all in his effort to be a listening, learning president. He believes his primary roles are (1) to unleash the creative potential of Weber State's students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners, and (2) to guide Weber State to be not just a university that imparts learning, but a university that itself is learning.
While serving as president, Brad has been particularly proud to celebrate numerous major accomplishments with campus colleagues. A few highlights include:
Holding commencement ceremonies for the two biggest graduating classes in Weber State history and the first cohort of doctoral graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Establishing a new strategic plan - "Weber State Amplified: A 5-Year Plan for Growth" - which includes:
revised mission, vision, and values statements;
an equity lens to create conditions for meaningful learning and academic excellence for everyone; and
five strategic goals encompassing (1) equity, diversity, and inclusion, (2) retention and completion, (3) personal connections and academic excellence, (4) growing the community anchor mission, and (5) marketing and branding.
Expanding campus facilities with ribbon cuttings for Lindquist Hall, the Computer & Automotive Engineering Building, Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center, Youngberg Football Center, and Sark's Boys Gateway at Stewart Stadium, and future campus developments underway with the Noorda Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Building and the Ogden Bus Rapid Transit route through the core of the Ogden campus.
Hosting the 2019 National Dual Mission Institution Summit to highlight Weber State's 60-year history as an open enrollment regional university that serves community college and associate's degree needs of our region.
Facilitating expanded partnerships with Ogden-Weber and Davis technical colleges, the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park, and the Northern Utah Economic Alliance.
Brad joined Weber State in 2004 as assistant vice president for auxiliary and support services and served as vice president of university advancement from 2007 through 2018. As vice president, he led efforts in alumni relations, economic development, government relations, marketing and communications, and development, including the successful Dream 125: Campaign for Weber State comprehensive fundraising effort which concluded in 2016 after raising $164 million.
Beyond the campus, Brad has been active with several Northern Utah organizations. He served as chair for the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Northern Utah and was recognized by Utah Business as a 2018 CXO of the Year.
Prior to coming to Weber State, his professional endeavors included the Utah System of Higher Education, Utah governor's office, Arizona legislature, and two policy fellowships.
Brad earned an associate's degree from Ricks College, a bachelor's degree from Utah State University, a master's degree from Syracuse University, and a doctoral degree from the University of Utah.
Originally from Lyman, Idaho, Brad and his wife, Camille (a 2021 WSU alumna), are the parents of four children, including one who graduated from Weber State, and two others who are currently attending as traditional and early college students.
Brad L. Mortensen was named the 13th president of Weber State University in December 2018. Mortensen joined Weber State in 2004 as associate vice president for Support and Government Relations. Beginning in 2007, Mortensen served as Vice President of University Advancement for 11 years. As vice president, he developed partnerships and philanthropic resources to promote educational access, student success, inclusiveness, and faculty and staff vitality. He led communication and strategic efforts to strengthen alumni and community connections, and in 2018 began guiding Weber State's efforts to support regional economic development. Active with several Northern Utah organizations, he has chaired the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Northern Utah. Utah Business recognized him as 2018 CXO of the Year. His prior professional endeavors include the Utah System of Higher Education, Utah governor's office, Arizona legislature and two policy fellowships. Mortensen earned a bachelor's degree from Utah State University, a master's degree from Syracuse University and a doctoral degree from the University of Utah. Originally from Lyman, Idaho, Mortensen and his wife Camille are the parents of four children, including one who graduated from Weber State, and another who is currently attending WSU.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Chemistry
Job Titles:
- Advisor ( Student Last Names M - Z )
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Director of Chemical Technology Center
Job Titles:
- Advisor ( Student Last Names a - L )
Job Titles:
- Advisor ( Student Last Names J - Z )
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Public History Advisor
Job Titles:
- General Criminal Justice and Other Department Chair
To schedule appointment: Call Mary Owen at 801-626-6174. (Student may email Dr. Harley at sharley@weber.edu when Mary Owen is not in the office. During summer semesters email is the best method of contact.)
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Associate Professor
Job Titles:
- Administrative Specialist
Ben Ferney is currently serving as Student Body President at Weber State University. Previously, he served as President of the Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) overseeing a council of 18 peers and prior to that was a chair over a major LDSSA committee. He also completed a fellowship for Humanitarian Experience for Youth (HEFY) and has led 76 youth on four humanitarian trips in Tonga and Peru.
Ben grew up in North Ogden Utah until his family moved to Nanjing China. He spent his final year of high school attending & graduating from Nanjing International School. After graduation, Ben moved to Sydney Australia where he spent time as a full-time proselyting church missionary. In this role, Ben developed deeply as leader as he led over 200 of his peer volunteers across Sydney.
Ben has attended Weber State since Spring 2017 and is diligently working toward a bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising. He will graduate in Spring 2021 with a burning desire to make a major impact on the community and world.
Ben will be the first of his family line to graduate from Weber State and he couldn't be prouder. Ben recently left his job of three years as a waiter at a Mexican restaurant. He is a dreaming humanitarian with a proven past of customer service. He is obsessed with getting to know people and understanding where they are coming from.
With an educational background in management and finance, Brent Bishop has excelled in business and in the community throughout his career. In 1991 he founded Greenbacks All-a-Dollar, where he served as CEO and was responsible for growing the company from one to one hundred retail stores in ten states over 12 years. In acknowledgment of Brent's role in the success of Greenbacks, Ernst & Young awarded him the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001. Under Brent's leadership, Greenbacks was sold to Dollar Tree in July of 2003. Previous to starting Greenback's, Brent was a co-founder of Franklin Covey.
Brent has a real interest in serving in the community. He has served on several boards at the Marriott School of Business at BYU including current membership in the National Advisory Council. Additionally, he serves on the Broadcast Leadership Council, a member of the Athletic Leadership Council, and the President's Leadership Council at BYU. He has served on the Judicial Review Board of the Second District for the State of Utah, and founder and chairman of Sharetix Foundation. He also contributed to the success of the Salt Lake 2002, Vancouver 2010, and London 2012 Olympics as a volunteer in each.
Brent earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Finance from Brigham Young University. He has a beautiful and talented wife Jill, ten children, and 29 grandchildren.
Curtis Funk is an entrepreneur and investor who is passionate about technology and startups. He is the founder and CEO of Tukios, which is an Ogden-based software company with customers worldwide. He has been an entrepreneur his entire adult life and has founded, acquired, and sold multiple companies.
Curtis grew up in Roy, Utah, and graduated from Weber State University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Professional Sales. While enrolled at WSU, he was starting and running businesses with multiple employees and serving as the President of the Weber Entrepreneurs Association. He was recognized as an outstanding student entrepreneur and received several awards and national media coverage, including being part of the Utah Student 25 and being voted the "Coolest College Startup of 2010" by Inc Magazine. Following his graduation, he was the recipient of the WSU Salutes Young Alumnus Award in 2012.
Curtis has served on the board of the Alumni Association, where he is currently the President.
Curtis lives in South Ogden with his wife, Megan, their daughter Gia, and a little boy expected in the spring of 2021. They are all passionate Weber State sports fans and attend every game that they can.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO of an Ogden
Donald J. Salazar, president and CEO of an Ogden-based design-build construction company, Creative Times Inc., joined Weber State University's Board of Trustees in 2017.
In his leadership role, Salazar oversees all management activities, which include business planning, accounting, bonding, finance, marketing, resource allocation, contract negation and on-site job performance. He has successfully performed on contracts ranging from $200,000 to $34 million.
In an effort to guide other business owners to success, Salazar has been active in many organizations on national and local levels. He currently serves as chair of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. With 4.3 million members, the chamber is the largest Hispanic business organization in the nation. He also serves as an advisory board member of the Utah Hispanic Chamber and Zions Bank, and he previously served as chair of the Ogden Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He is also a past president of the Northern Utah Public Employees Association.
At Weber State University, Salazar serves on the National Advisory Council and is a past member of the Arts and Humanities Advisory Council (AHA!). He has served on many other boards throughout the community in the sectors of health, finance, environment and legislation.
Salazar has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Small Business Administration's Contractor of the Year award in 2005.
Salazar graduated from the Business Transformation Program at Dartmouth University's Tuck School of Business and has a Master of Arts degree in organizational management.
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Projects for the Larry H. Miller Management Corporation
- Trustee for Weber State University
Amanda Covington is the director of special projects for the Larry H. Miller Management Corporation. She recently served as senior vice president of Communications and government relations for Vista Outdoor Inc. Covington has more than 20 years of experience leading corporate communications and government relations strategies impacting financial communications, crisis communications, domestic and international relations, public policy and legislation, industry associations, and community relations.
Prior to Vista Outdoor, Covington served as vice president of corporate communications, for ATK, an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company. Before joining ATK, she was the assistant commissioner for public affairs at the Utah System of Higher Education. While there, she led communications and legislative relations strategies for the State Board of Regents. She also served as the deputy for communications and spokesperson for Utah Governor Olene S. Walker and the director of communications for the Utah Department of Transportation. She has a background in broadcast journalism, working for Utah's NBC and ABC affiliates.
In addition to serving as a trustee for Weber State University, Covington chairs the U.S. Department of Interior's "Made in America" Outdoor Recreation Advisory committee, serves an an advisory board member for the Utah Women's Leadership Institute, is a board member for the WSU's Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service and of the University of Utah college of Social and Behavioral Science Advancement Board. She is a board member of the Utah chapter of National Association of Corporate Directors.
Covington earned an Honors bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. She enjoys spending her free time wake surfing, snow skiing and traveling with her husband and two teenage sons.
Appointed to the Weber State University Board of Trustees in 2013, Karen White Fairbanks is owner of Fairbanks, Inc.
She and her husband, Rick, manage The Distribution Group, a national purchasing cooperative/buying group in the water, sewer and drainage industry. Her professional experience also includes time as the human resources manager of W.R. White Company and director of mission for the Ogden Weber Chamber of Commerce. She was also an asset manager and leasing agent for Wallace Associates.
Fairbanks has also dedicated herself to community service and leadership. Among her long list of service appointments is trustee for Intermountain Healthcare, trustee and board member for McKay-Dee Hospital and board member for the Ogden Nature Center.
Fairbanks graduated cum laude from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree.
A mother of three children and grandmother to 11, she enjoys reading, mountain biking, traveling, cross country skiing and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Administrative Services
Job Titles:
- State University 's Vice President
Norman C. Tarbox Jr. was appointed Weber State University's vice president of Administrative Services in March, 2002.
Tarbox came to WSU from the Utah System of Higher Education, where he was assistant and then associate commissioner for finance and facilities and assistant commissioner for student financial aid. Previously, he was interim deputy director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services. He was a budget and planning analyst at the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and has been a director of the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority, a member of the State of Utah Privatization Policy Board and a part-time faculty member of the Intermountain Academy for Leadership in Higher Education at the University of Utah.
Tarbox received his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and his master's degree in business administration from Brigham Young University. He earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.
Job Titles:
- President 's Council Minutes
- Provost
- Vice President of Academic Affairs at Weber State University
Ravi Krovi serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Weber State University. When accepting the role of Provost, Krovi noted Weber State's commitment to improving access to higher education. "I recognized a tremendous opportunity to facilitate and lead an institution invested in academic quality and innovation. I really appreciate the commitment to accessibility and affordability, which is important to me and aligns with my own values."
Krovi comes from the University of Akron where, since 2002, he worked as a professor, the director of the Center for Information Technologies and eBusiness, chair of the Department of Management and as dean of the College of Business Administration for 10 years. During this time, the college's strategic emphasis on academic quality, student professional development and career readiness resulted in affirmation of global accreditation in Business and Accounting and a Top 50 public business school national ranking. He has actively participated in consulting activities and led executive development programs for corporations and government agencies in digital competencies, business analytics, strategic planning, leadership and technology.
Krovi earned his doctoral degree in Management Information Systems and Decision Sciences and master's degree specializations in Computer Science and Statistics from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Baroda, India. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports and playing basketball and golf.
Job Titles:
- Proposal Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Initiatives