Stephen Lisonbee
Associate Vice President of Community Outreach & Engagement Southern Utah University
- Cedar City UT
Specializing in workforce and economic development, community outreach, and leadership development
Biography
Lisonbee has been involved in community, economic, and workforce development throughout Utah for the past 20 years. He has been recognized as a leader who develops relationships and partnerships. His leadership is most notable through his convening power and vision creation.
Most recently, Lisonbee was appointed as the senior advisor to the Governor for rural affairs for the state of Utah.
Prior to SUU, Lisonbee held the appointed position as Division Director for Utah’s Workforce Development Division where he was tasked with administering federal and state programs to fuel Utah's economic engine and sustainable workforce through a career and educational approach. He has played a leadership role in some very impactful efforts to include the Utah Rural Summit, InUT: Learn & Work, Operation Rio Grande, Intergenerational Poverty, 25K Jobs, 100K jobs in 1000 days, Talent Ready Utah, TANF: Family Focused Case Management, Workforce Opportunity Investment Act, and Utah Employability to Careers.
Lisonbee earned a master's degree in business administration from Southern Utah University and is also a graduate of Utah’s Certified Public Managers program.
Social
Media
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Education
Southern Utah University
M.A.
Business Administration
Accomplishments
Chapter Honorary: Beta Gamma Sigma
Southern Utah University School of Business, 2022
Rural Health Care Champion
Utah Center for Rural Health, 2021
The Spirit of Southern Utah Award
Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Leadership Council, 2020
Governor's Award for Excellence
Utah Governor Gary Herbert, 2018
SUCCESS Innovation Award
Utah State Governor's Office of Management and Budgeting, 2018
Affiliations
- Governor's Rural Partnership Executive Board
- Iron County Economic Development Board
- Governor's Rural Partnership Executive Board
- Iron County Economic Development Board
- Unified Economic Opportunity Commission
Links
Languages
- French
Media Appearances
Top Utah Leaders Convene In Southern Utah
Fox 13 online
2022-10-06
Join Utah's best and brightest at One Utah Summit this October. This year marks the 35th consecutive year of the Utah Rural Summit as a gathering place for bringing together Utah’s top leaders and decision-makers
The Rural Online Initiative
Utah State University tv
2021-09-28
The Rural Initiative is going to create opportunities for rural residents to live where they work.
Why Utah agencies will be asked to review whether jobs can be worked remotely, moved to rural areas
KSL online
2021-01-11
Stephen will be in the room when all of these meetings are happening, representing Utah's rural communities and helping to align resources with opportunities and raise the profile of rural issues when we're together," Cox said.
Gov.-elect Cox announces more administration hires weeks ahead of inauguration
KSL online
2020-12-02
Lieutenant governor and Governor-elect Spencer Cox's office announced another round of appointments to his upcoming administration Wednesday morning, filling key positions to oversee education, the economy, rural affairs and more.
Cox, Henderson announce key appointments for Utah Governor's Cabinet
FOX 13 tv
2020-12-02
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Stephen Lisonbee has been appointed Senior Advisor of Rural Affairs, fulfilling a campaign promise to raise the profile of rural issues within the Cox administration. In addition to his new role, Lisonbee will retain his current position as Assistant Vice President of the Office of Regional Services at Southern Utah University and continue to live in LaVerkin.
A closer look at the Cox/Henderson leadership appointments
Utah Policy online
2020-12-03
The Cox/Henderson team has announced additional key cabinet members to serve with the new administration. They have pulled from the legislature, the current administration, the state school board, academia and local government.
The opportunity you’ve been Looking for: The Southern Utah Speed Pitch
ABC4 tv
2020-06-12
As a state, Utah not only supports entrepreneurism, we are built on it. Stephen Lisonbee, Executive Director of Regional Services at Southern Utah University joined Good Things Utah to talk about how SUU is fostering and supporting new business ideas and working to generate a community of support and resources for success.
Articles
Commentary: One Utah Roadmap offers a balanced approach to supporting rural communities and energy goals
The Salt Lake TribuneStephen Lisonbee, Brian Steed, Thom Carter and Redge Johnson
2021-01-29
When it comes to energy development and what’s best for the state of Utah, all too often we find ourselves failing to listen to those most impacted by policy decisions. Gov. Spencer Cox took this listening approach as a transition team made up of rural voices led the development of the Rural Matters report. This team worked collaboratively with stakeholders and constituents from rural Utah to identify and address their most immediate and urgent needs, many of which are outlined in the One Utah Roadmap.
