SALT LAKE CITY- (August 15, 2008) The Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance enthusiastically welcome Wilford Sommerkorn as the new Director of the Salt Lake City Planning Department. The organizations applaud Mayor Ralph Becker’s appointment of the award-winning professional planner. 

"I've known Wilf for many years and have always respected his leadership in economic development, planning and public decision making," said Lane Beattie, President and CEO. "With this appointment, Mayor Becker rounds out a seasoned and well-respected senior team of leadership at Salt Lake City that will dramatically improve our business climate. The whole region will benefit from a well managed capital city."

Sommerkorn has had a long and distinguished career in urban planning which has included work for the Transportation Research Center at the University of Tennessee, Centerville City, the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the Davis County Council of Governments. 

“Wilf brings a level of expertise and management skills to Salt Lake City that is unparalleled,” said Carla Wiese, Economic Development Manager for the Downtown Alliance. “He understands the intricacies of planning practice and administration as well as the importance planning plays in effective economic development.”

Raised in Salt Lake City, Sommerkorn earned a Master of Science Planning (MSP) from the 
Graduate School of Planning at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and an undergraduate degree in Physical Geography from the University of Utah. He has been active in professional planning organizations including the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, Utah Economic Development Alliance and the Alliance for Regional Stewardship. 

Sommerkorn has served as the Director of the Davis County Department of Community & Economic Development since 1994, where he worked in various roles for more than 27 years. He will assume his new position on August 25, 2008. 

About the Chamber
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s Business Leader. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber has been standing as the voice of business, supporting its members’ success and championing community prosperity for over 100 years. The Chamber represents over 4,200 businesses statewide and one in every three jobs in the Utah economy. Chamber affiliate organizations include the Downtown Alliance and World Trade Center Utah. 

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