Gary R. Herbert
Gary Richard Herbert is Utah's seventeenth Governor. Prior to becoming governor he served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Jon Huntsman from 2005-2009.
Governor Herbert was born in American Fork and raised in Orem, Utah. After graduating from Orem High School, Mr. Herbert served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission.
While attending BYU, Mr. Herbert met and married Jeanette Snelson, from Springville. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. Herbert joined the Utah National Guard serving for six years as a staff sergeant working with target acquisition, artillery, and ground survey.
After his military service, Mr. Herbert began a career in the real estate industry, founding Herbert & Associates Realtors, a brokerage firm based in Orem. He and his wife Jeanette also began a child care service, The Kids Connection, which they operated for 23 years.
In 1990, Mr. Herbert was elected to the Utah County Commission, a position he held for 14 years. During his time as county commissioner, he served as the President of Utah Association of Counties, Utah Association of Realtors, and as a board member of the Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce and Utah Water Conservancy District.
Governor and Mrs. Herbert have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.
Quick Facts
- Football Quarterback at Orem High School
- Captain of baseball team. Played position of pitcher and 3rd base
- Captain of basketball team. Played point guard
- Began playing tennis at age 28. At age 36 he was ranked #1 in Utah in the 35+ open division
- Has served on 28 different boards, commissions, and organizations
- 3 sons 3 daughters
- 9 grandchildren (1 more on the way)
- Son-in-law is Ben Cahoon, All-Star slotback for the Montreal Alouettes football team
- Daughter-in-law is American Idol Finalist from Utah, Carmen Rasmussen