May, 8, 2008, Salt Lake City – The University of Utah Alumni Association welcomed eight new board members during its annual meeting Wednesday night. The Association also named a new board president, Michele Mattsson, and vice president, Rex Thornton.

Mattsson received her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Utah and is currently the chief mediator for the Utah Court of Appeals. She has been actively involved with the University and in the community by serving on the Crimson Club board and as past president of the Interfraternity Alumni Association. Mattsson expressed her enthusiasm to lead the Alumni Association board, stating “I am honored to be the new president of the University of Utah Alumni Association. The Association is a connecting point for all of us who have been shaped by the University, including generations of my own family.”

Thornton is the senior vice president and branch manager of D.A. Davidson, a financial consulting firm. Also a graduate of the University of Utah, Thornton received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the David Eccles School of Business. He is a varsity high school football official and currently holds the record for the most state championship games officiated.

The additional eight new board members elected include Greg Anderson, Barry Angstman, Jodie Bennion, Linda Dunn, John Firmage, Heidi Makowski, Keven Rowe, and Liz Whitney.

The Alumni Association board consists of 24 members who support and advance the priorities of the University of Utah through legislative efforts, fundraising, and community service and outreach.

About the Recently Elected Alumni Association Board Members

Greg Anderson

Anderson received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and is currently the president of Crown Council, Inc. In addition, he is a former board president with various foundations and organizations including United Cerebral Palsy of Utah, the Granite Education Foundation, and the Smiles for Life Foundation.

Barry Angstman

Receiving both bachelor’s and MBA degrees from the University of Utah, Angstman applies his business education as the senior vice president of Wells Fargo Bank. He is a former member of the board of commissioners of both the Housing Council of Salt Lake and the Wayne Brown Institute.

Jodie Bennion

Bennion holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Utah and is an associate broker for the Ramsey Group. She is a board member of the Junior League of Salt Lake City, Family Support Center, American Diabetes Association, Salt Lake Country Club, and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Linda Dunn

Dunn received a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s in education administration from the University of Utah. She was recently named director of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University. She is a former executive director of Utah Campus Compact and a former teacher at both Skyline and Highland high schools. Dunn is actively involved in the community including conducting volunteer service for the Utah Commission of Volunteers, Friends for Sight, the American Dream Foundation, and the Utah Coalition for Civic, Character and Service Learning.

John Firmage

Firmage graduated from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He is the president and CEO of the Firmco Group of Companies and serves on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House and the Arthritis Foundation. In addition, Firmage serves on several University of Utah boards including the Hospital Foundation, Health Science Advocates, Crimson Club, Presidents Club, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.

Heidi Makowski

Makowski graduated with a bachelor’s degree in family and child development from the University. She is currently a development officer for the College of Fine Arts and a former assistant to the dean. Makowski is the former president of the Junior League of Salt Lake City and served on the boards of the Refugee Integration into Society through Education organization, the Rape Recovery Center, and Granite Mental Health.

Keven Rowe

Rowe received bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Utah. President of the law firm of Jones Waldo Holbrook and McDonough, Rowe is currently a member of Governor Jon Huntsman’s Finance Committee, the University’s Health Science Advocates, and the Kingsbury Hall Advisory Board.

Liz Whitney

Whitney graduated with honors from the University of Utah with bachelor’s and law degrees. She is an attorney with the law firm Parsons Behle and Latimer and a former board member of the University of Utah Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Board, Kappa Kappa Gamma House, and the Utah Heritage Foundation.