University Marketing & Communications: Layton Shumway | 801-863-6863 | LShumway@uvu.edu

Utah Valley University welcomed three new members Thursday to its Board of Trustees—former Weber State University president Paul H. Thompson of Orem, new UVUSA president Rob Smith, and Nebo School District superintendent Richard C. Nielsen of Spanish Fork.Paul Thompson served as president of Weber State University from 1990 to 2002. He received a doctorate in business administration from Harvard University in 1969 and served as an assistant professor at Harvard Business School from 1969 to 1973. He began work at Brigham Young University in 1973, serving there as professor of organizational behavior, chairman of the Department of Organizational Behavior, dean of the Marriott School of Management, and vice president of development and university relations. Thompson and his wife, Carolyn, have six children and 29 grandchildren.

Rob Smith is entering his senior year at UVU, studying political science and American government. He has served as a presidential intern at UVU and received an associate degree in history and political science from UVU in 2016. He has also been an assistant basketball coach at Mountain View High School in Orem. Smith lives in Orem with his wife and son.

Richard Nielsen has served as superintendent of Nebo School District since 2010. Before that, he served as assistant superintendent and elementary director at Nebo. He has also been the principal at Rees Elementary, Art City Elementary, and Westside Elementary. Nielsen received the Human Resource Developer of the Year Award from the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals in 2003. He also received the Rookie Principal of the Year Award by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals. Nielsen and his wife, Karen, reside in Spanish Fork with their five children.

Trustees for Utah higher education institutions are appointed by Gov. Gary Herbert and confirmed by the Utah Senate.

Fourth region (Section 1)