WTC Utah President and CEO Miles Hansen to Join Stirling Foundation
Hansen to remain until search committee names successor
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (Apr. 28, 2023) — World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) Board Chair Jon Huntsman has announced that President and CEO Miles Hansen has accepted an offer to join the Stirling Foundation, a Utah-based global humanitarian organization, as president and board director. The WTC Utah Board of Directors has organized a search committee that is accepting applications for WTC Utah’s next president and CEO through May 19. Hansen will lead WTC Utah until a successor is named and will continue to serve on the Board of Directors thereafter.
"When we recruited Miles to lead WTC Utah, we had high hopes given his deep international expertise and success at the highest levels of foreign policy and international business," said Huntsman. "Over the past five years, Miles has exceeded our greatest expectations, building on the success of his predecessors to make WTC Utah a global leader in facilitating international business. He built a phenomenal team, cultivated a collaborative culture, and strengthened a broad network of partners across the state and around the world who are committed to working tirelessly to fulfill our vision of making Utah the crossroads of the world."
WTC Utah was established in 2006 to promote international trade and give Utah a platform on the global stage. Since its inception, the organization has partnered closely with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity to support the state’s international engagement — from facilitating the state’s trade missions and shows to hosting visiting diplomats — as well as the Utah State Legislature to support the state's trade promotion efforts. It became a member of the World Trade Center Association as one of the few centers designated to a state rather than a city. This strategic decision was made with the vision of creating a global business accelerator that would support Utah businesses from all corners of the state.
"The commitment made on day one remains as strong today as it did then. From its humble origins and thanks to its impactful CEOs, WTC Utah is now a globally relevant organization with incredible momentum and impact,” said Huntsman. “I am proud of where the organization is today, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds."
In 2022, WTC Utah delivered more than 1,300 services to nearly 400 companies, resulting in $152 million in new international business opportunities for these companies. The organization facilitated 147 matches between companies and global investment funds; took 86 companies on 15 international business trips; hosted 72 international business and diplomatic delegations from around the world; organized 94 events with more than 7,500 attendees; and awarded 156 trade promotion grants to small Utah businesses. Notably, WTC Utah received the President’s “E” Award for Export Service in 2021, which is given by the president of the United States and is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
“Everything we do at WTC Utah is by, with, and through our many partners,” said Hansen. “This includes our board, businesses across the state, state leaders, and the many organizations we work shoulder-to-shoulder with to make Utah’s economy more prosperous and resilient. Being a part of this team has been the honor of a lifetime, and I know the organization’s best days are in front of it.”
During the upcoming transition, WTC Utah is moving full-steam ahead, leading business delegations to Ukraine, the Paris Air Show and Southeast Asia. The organization will also support the governor-led trade mission to France and the United Kingdom to create opportunities for Utah businesses and to expand Utah’s global influence.
The search committee will be responsible for reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. Applications for the President and CEO position at World Trade Center Utah are open until May 19.
Application closed.
About World Trade Center Utah
World Trade Center Utah is a private, nonprofit organization that’s mission is to accelerate growth for Utah companies through our global network, programs and services. Officially joining the World Trade Center Association in 2007, the organization has helped companies throughout the state actualize their global potential and was recognized with the 2021 President’s “E” Award for Export Service — the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. For more information, visit wtcutah.com or follow @WTCUtah on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
