Appointed in 2023.
Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, Javier Chavez, Jr. is an attorney and small business owner. With over 20 years of experience in legal services, corporate environments, and startups, he brings a unique perspective to the Utah Board of Higher Education.
Javier graduated from the University of Utah in 2002 with a B.A. in History and minors in Latin American Studies and Spanish Language. During his time at the university, he was on the debate team, made the Dean’s List, and was a Steffensen Cannon Scholar. Given his high academic achievement, Javier was chosen as the graduation speaker for the College of Humanities.
Javier later attended Boston College, where he earned both a law degree and an MBA in 2006. Following graduation, Javier practiced law in New York City and California, working with international law firms and Fortune 500 Companies.
Driven by entrepreneurial passion, Javier returned home to Utah to launch his own businesses. Javier opened his own law practice focused on commercial matters, founded a beverage business, Cerveza Zólupez Beer Company, and helps counsel his family’s restaurants. More recently, he completed a certificate through the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education program.
Javier has a deep commitment to community service. He serves on the Board of Directors of Give Me a Chance, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to educating at-risk youth and disadvantaged women in Northern Utah. Javier also serves on the Board of Trustees of Ogden Regional Medical Center.
Javier is fluent in English and Spanish. His wife is a medical doctor, and together they have three young children, a girl and two boys. In his free time, he enjoys hiking Utah’s wonderful mountain trails with his family. He loves watching Ogden Raptors baseball and Utah Jazz basketball.