Kirk Jowers – Director
Kirk L. Jowers is the Director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and Federal Relations. He also is an Associate Professor and the 2007 recipient of the University of Utah’s Par Excellence Award. In addition, he is a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm Caplin & Drysdale, Acting Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy, and a Member of the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission. Mr. Jowers has provided legal and political advice to state and national political parties, more than 30 congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Fortune 500 corporations, non-profit organizations, and three presidential campaigns. Described by the Salt Lake Tribune as the “most quoted man in Utah,” he is a frequent media commentator and lecturer on politics, campaign finance laws, government ethics, and the First Amendment and is the author of several publications. He is a graduate of the University of Utah and Harvard Law School. Mr. Jowers is married to Kristen Jowers and has five children. Email: kirk.jowers@hinckley.utah.edu
Jayne Nelson — Associate Director
Jayne Nelson is the Associate Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics where she manages the Hinckley Institute office, the Hinckley Forums program, the Huntsman Seminar, and the finances of the institute. She has worked at the Hinckley Institute since 1988. Some of Ms. Nelson’s major responsibilities include coordinating all political speakers for the Hinckley Forums, organizing the Huntsman Seminar in Constitutional Government for Teachers, administering scholarships offered through the Hinckley Institute, and managing the operations of the administrative office. Email: jnelson@hinckley.utah.edu
Courtney H. McBeth – Assistant Director, International and Academic Affairs
Courtney H. McBeth is the Assistant Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and oversees the International Internship program and the academics of the HIP. She is also a Clinincal Instructor for Political Science and teaches a course in international development for the College of Social Work. She has worked at the HIP since 2002 and has managed all aspects of the state, local and national internship programs. Ms. McBeth graduated summa cum laude with an Master of Science in Education from the University of Utah with a thesis titled, “Civic Engagement: The Impact of Internships on Political Participation.” She also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and interned for University of Utah President Bernie Machen. Ms. McBeth was a member and captain of the University of Utah Women ‘s Soccer Team and was named to the Freshman All-American team and Academic All-West Region. Courtney is married to Mitch and has three children. Email: courtney.mcbeth@hinckley.utah.edu
Lindsay A. Zizumbo – State and National Program Manager
Lindsay Zizumbo is the State and National Program Manager at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. In 2003, Lindsay served a Hinckley Internship in Congressman Matheson’s Washington, D.C. office. Since her internship, she has worked extensively for Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT), serving as the District Outreach Coordinator, Campaign Manager, and Field Director. Lindsay was also the Field Director for Utahns for Public Education during the school voucher referendum campaign and a Legislative Organizer for the Utah Democratic Party. Lindsay graduated from the University of Utah in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Economics. She is an active triathlete and has successfully completed three Ironman races. She is married to Devin Wilson and is a Utah native. Email: lindsay.zizumbo@hinckley.utah.edu
Rochelle McConkie – Communication and Outreach Director
Rochelle McConkie Parker is the Communication and Outreach Coordinator for the Hinckley Institute of Politics. She oversees and carries out writing and editing for the Institute’s various publications, coordinates media outreach, and is the teaching assistant for the Political Forum Series class. Rochelle recently graduated from the University of Utah magna cum laude with an Honors Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is now pursuing a Master of Education at the University of Utah in the Department of Education, Culture, and Society, where she is studying urban education. Formerly, Rochelle was News Editor of the Daily Utah Chronicle and was a Hinckley intern for Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). She grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, and recently married Dwight Parker. Email: rochelle.mcconkie@hinckley.utah.edu
Tim Chambless – Hinckley Academic Outreach Coordinator, Associate Professor Lecturer
Tim Chambless is an Associate Professor/Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah. Since 1987, he has taught classes in American National Government and Political Parties as well as Law and Politics, Controversial Legal Issues and Mass Communication Law, and American Constitutional Law. Since 1994, Tim has organized and led the Hinckley Institute of Politics’ Capital Encounter program in Washington, D.C. Tim earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and then earned two graduate degrees at the University of Utah.
Matt and Emily Sanderson – Washington, D.C., Liaisons
Matt and Emily Sanderson are the Washington, D.C. Liaisons for the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Matt is a graduate of the University of Utah and Vanderbilt University Law School. Matt is an associate at the Washington, D.C. law firm Caplin and Drysdale and specializes in political law. Matt is also a founder of PlayoffPAC, the principal opposition group to college football’s Bowl Championship Series. Emily is a graduate of Brigham Young University. They have four children and live in Northern Virginia.
Luke Garrett – Hinckley Journal of Politics Faculty Editor, Associate Professor-Lecturer
Luke Garrott received his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Florida (2001, 1994) and B.A. from Stanford University (1989). He is a political theorist specializing in political ideologies, democratic theory, and community studies, and has taught at the U since 1998. Professor Garrott is past University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) Community Scholar in Residence, and recipient of Pi Sigma Alpha’s Outstanding Professor Award and the U’s Distinguished Service Award. He was elected to the Salt Lake City Council in 2007, and is serving a four-year term as Councilman representing District 4 in Downtown Salt Lake City. He serves as the faculty editor for the Hinckley Journal of Politics.
Dan Jones – Professor Lecturer
Dr. Dan Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Idaho State. Following service in the military, he earned his master’s in 1962 and doctorate in 1968 at the University of Utah. Following his graduate studies, Jones taught at Utah State University for 12 years where he rose to the rank of full professor. He directed the Bureau of Government and Opinion Research, and conducted polls on elections and social issues. In 1980, Dr. Jones left Utah State University for Salt Lake City to focus on polling full time. In 2003, Dr. Jones accepted the position of interim associate director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, a position he held until July 2005. Dr. Jones is known as Utah’s preeminent pollster serving as President of Dan Jones & Associates. He teaches the Hinckley Institute Legislative Intern Preparation Course.
Jerry Howe – Adjunct Instructor
Jerry Howe is a Policy Analyst in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel where he serves as staff to the Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, the Judicial Confirmation Committee, and the Redistricting Committee. Mr. Howe also coordinates the Legislative Intern Program which provides opportunities for 65 undergraduate students from six of Utah’s institutions of higher education to work directly with Utah Senators and Representatives during the Legislature’s annual general sessions. In addition to co-teaching the Hinckley Institute Legislative Intern Preparation course with Dr. Dan Jones, Mr. Howe is an adjunct professor at Weber State University and he teaches Public Policy Analysis in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Utah. Mr. Howe earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University.
Doug Foxley – Associate Instructor
Doug Foxley, the senior principal of the firm Foxley Pignanelli Attorneys at Law, is continually recognized by local media as the leading government relations expert in Utah. A practicing attorney, Mr. Foxley has been a major presence in Utah politics and legislative activities since 1982. He has more than 20 years of hands-on experience representing clients in the lobbying, government, and public affairs areas. Mr. Foxley has a wealth of experience in public affairs including communications strategies to support major initiatives, message development, media relations training and consultations, organization image-building, crisis management, community relations, and public event coordination. Mr. Foxley served on the Utah State Board of Regents from 1985 to 1997 and as Chair of the Board from 1989 to 1993. He has been actively involved in politics for many years. He managed former Utah Governor Norm Bangerter’s first gubernatorial campaign in 1984. He co-teaches the Hinckley Institute Political Management Course.
Frank Pignanelli – Associate Instructor
Frank Pignanelli is a featured Sunday Opinion Page political columnist for the Deseret Morning News. He has many years of experience in lobbying and government relations, representing clients in a variety of legislative initiatives and regulatory matters including taxes, appropriations, financial institutions, insurance, technology, and other issues before the Utah State Legislature and various government agencies. Mr. Pignanelli served in the Utah State Legislature from 1986 to 1996 and six of those years as Minority Leader. He also served as the Vice President of Legal Services and General Counsel at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Utah from the 1993 to 1997. He co-teaches the Hinckley Institute Political Management Course.
Ralph B. Brown
Ralph Brown collaborates with and consults the Hinckley Institute on international internships. Ralph is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the International Development Minor at Brigham Young University. He is also the Executive Director and Treasurer of the Rural Sociological Society. His Ph.D. (1992) is in Rural Sociology from The University of Missouri-Columbia, with an MS and BA in Sociology from Utah State University. His research has centered on community satisfaction and attachment in rural communities and on social change and rural development both in the United States, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He speaks Indonesian and Thai and directs International Development Internship programs in Cambodia, Thailand, and Jordan. His current research foci include the social and economic impacts of changing transportation options in Southeast Asia; and declines in community and friendship attachments in “liquid modernity”.
Hinckley Resident Scholar
Former Senator Robert F. Bennett
Former Senator Robert F. Bennett (UT) is the Hinckley Institute of Politics’ Resident Scholar. Mr. Bennett entered the political arena by managing his father’s Senatorial reelection campaign 49 years ago, in 1962. Wallace F. Bennett was a U.S. Senator from 1951 to 1974. It was this experience that would later inspire Mr. Bennett to seek public office. He worked as a staffer on Capitol Hill and in several successful entrepreneurial pursuits, including as CEO of Franklin International Institute, now known as Franklin Covey. In 1992, Mr. Bennett followed in his father’s footsteps and ran a successful campaign for the U.S. Senate, carrying his businessman-like approach with him to the Hill. He served as a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and a member of the distinguished Joint Economic Committee, where he was at the center of national economic policy discussions. He also served as the ranking Republican on the Senate Rules Committee. Mr. Bennett is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he was student body president. He and his wife Joyce are the proud parents of six children and 20 grandchildren.
