Danny Ipson reappointed
Three new members joined the Utah Board of Higher Education on September 4, 2025, bringing leadership from business, government and the student community. Jeremy Hafen, Jodi Hart and student representative Garrett Largent were sworn in alongside current Board member Danny Ipson, who was reappointed. Governor Spencer J. Cox appointed each member.
Hafen, president and CEO of Clyde Companies, Inc., brings decades of experience in the construction materials sector. He has held multiple leadership roles within Clyde Companies since 2004 and currently serves as the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors chair. He previously served as the chair of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Board of Trustees for Mountainland Technical College and on the Board of Trustees for Utah Valley University.
Hart is a prominent government relations professional representing national Fortune 100 firms, local businesses, municipalities and associations. She is president and founder of Advantage Arts Academy Charter School and serves as President of the Capitol Hill Association, among other community roles. She is a frequent political affairs guest lecturer at schools, colleges and universities throughout the state.
Ipson is a business owner and entrepreneur, currently operating an eight-location chain of convenience stores and truck stops under Ernie’s Stores, Inc. and HF Sinclair. He previously oversaw the sale of DATS Trucking, Inc. and Overland Petroleum, LLC. He has served on multiple boards, including the Utah Tech University Board of Trustees, and as co-chair of the Utah Tech University Presidential Search Committee. He was first appointed to the Board of Higher Education in August 2023.
Largent joins the Board as the new student representative. He is a non-traditional student at Weber State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on business administration, leadership and international studies. Hehas served as vice president of the Presidential Leadership Fellows in the Office of the President at Weber State, worked as a Research Analyst Fellow in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and as an intern at Goldman Sachs in Global Banking and Markets.
“These appointments bring a remarkable combination of expertise and perspective to our Board,” said Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education. “Each member brings valuable experience from industry, public policy and higher education. Their collective knowledge and commitment will be invaluable as we work to improve student success and expand valuable higher education opportunities for students and families.”
The Utah Senate confirmed the appointments of Hafen, Hart and Ipson on Aug. 20, 2025. As the student representative, Largent did not require Senate confirmation.