Richard Nelson is president and CEO of the Utah Technology Council (UTC), the premier professional organization for Utah’s 5,200 technology companies. Under his leadership, the Council’s industry-driven agenda has successfully addressed compelling issues in building the technology community, including creating the $300M Utah Fund of Funds, passing the USTAR Economic Development Initiative, raising the rigor in high school requirements for English, math and science, and growing UTC's membership by 28%, compounded annually, over the past 5 years.

Mr. Nelson was named one of “25 People Who Most Influenced Business in Utah” (Connect Magazine, December 2006 and 2007) along with being one of Utah Business' “100 Most Influential People (December 2007). He serves as the Chairman and CEO of the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA - formerly CRITA) representing 16,000 technology-related companies. In addition, he is a board member of the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA – ex officio), Governor’s Board of Economic Development, Utah Fund of Funds Board, University of Utah’s College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and others.

Mr. Nelson has received the highest recognition as 2007 “CEO of the Year” from Utah’s technology industry and the “Distinguished Service Award” from the University of Utah College of Engineering. He has an MBA from Northwestern University in marketing and finance, a BS from BYU, and loves working and living in Utah.