Jefferson Moss to lead USHE’s involvement with POTM State Land Authority
The Utah System of Higher Education welcomes Jefferson Moss as The Point’s Innovation District Project Director. In this capacity, Moss will be responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations at the Innovation District. He will work in close consultation with The Point Executive Director and Operations Director to help implement practical solutions that improve Utahns’ quality of life.
“We are pleased to have Jefferson Moss join USHE to lead the system’s involvement in the major economic development efforts at The Point,” said Dave R. Woolstenhulme, commissioner of higher education. “This historic development will serve as a hub of innovation for Utah’s colleges and universities and develop essential industry partnerships that lead to educational and employment opportunities.”
As identified in The Point Framework Plan, the Innovation District at The Point will serve as an ecosystem that advances technological innovation, fosters a startup environment, and facilitates meaningful relationships among universities, businesses and entrepreneurs. It will nurture new ideas from the research stage through to commercialization, with the goal of helping to solve Utah’s unique challenges.
“The Point will be known globally and loved locally, due in part to the transformational advancements at the Innovation District that will improve the lives of everyday Utahns,” said Utah Lieutenant Governor and Land Authority Co-Chair Deidre Henderson. “We are planning a state-of-the-art air quality lab that will help to address Utah’s unique challenges. Jefferson Moss’ extensive academic and real-world experience overseeing highly successful innovation initiatives makes him the perfect fit for the job.”
Moss is currently the AVP of central advancement at UVU and the COO for the UVU Foundation. In these positions, he launched the UVU Wolverine Fund, a student-run venture capital fund, and the Excellence and Innovation Initiative. Prior to UVU, Moss served as a wealth strategist at Key Bank and Credit Suisse and launched several successful businesses. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. He currently serves in the Utah House of Representatives and previously served on the Utah State Board of Education and the Saratoga Springs City Council and Planning Commission.
Moss will work closely with The Point Executive Director Alan Matheson, The Point Operations Director Scott Cuthbertson, and other lead consultants on the project. He is anticipated to begin work at USHE early next year.
About USHE
The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education and is comprised of Utah’s sixteen public colleges and universities. The CEO of USHE is the Commissioner of Higher Education. For more information, visit ushe.edu.
About The Point
Utahns have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop the 600 acres of state-owned property called “The Point” in a way that is economically robust and environmentally sustainable. Widely recognized as one of the most important economic development opportunities in Utah history, The Point is well served by vital infrastructure and centrally located at the heart of Utah’s fast-growing technology industry. The site offers unprecedented potential to create an innovation hub that catalyzes technological advancement, fosters mixed-use urban areas, and preserves parks and open space. The Point’s natural assets provide an opportunity for the site to develop in an environmentally friendly way that enhances Utahns’ quality of life.
