ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Don Whyte
W. Don Whyte is the vice president of planning at Deseret Cattle and Citrus. He is a master planned community professional with experience in all aspects of land acquisition, land planning, entitlement, project envisioning, finance, and all phases of development operations and execution from coast to coast in the United States and Canada. He has successfully developed mixed use and residential communities in these markets. He has led teams with multiple markets and communities under his direction, and managed change as firms have been combined into a cohesive culture and structure. He has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Calgary.
Jim Zboril
Jim Zboril is the president of Tavistock Development Company and has led the evolution of the company from land owner to a full-service, integrated mixed-use real estate development, construction and management firm, including major anchor transactions, the creation of Dais Technologies, Craft Homes, and the launch of Tavistock Hotel Collection. He has led the creation of Lake Nona, a mixed use, master planned community in Orlando, Florida. He has participated in several public-private partnerships including development and construction of the Burnham Institute and the construction of two regional parks for the City of Orlando. He earned a degree in finance from Western Michigan University.
David Dobbins
David Dobbins is the administrative director of Draper City and carries out the policies and programs established by the Draper City Council. David works closely with the Mayor, City Councilmembers and department directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city. He started working for Draper City in 2005, serving as the City’s Community and Economic Development director. Prior to working for Draper City, David worked for Salt Lake City for eight years in different positions, including Community and Economic Development Director. David holds a degree in public administration from Brigham Young University.
Jim Russell
Jim Russell was appointed director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) in March 2017. He began his career with DFCM in 2005 as a capital improvement project manager. He has also held several other positions within DFCM over the years: capital development project manager, regional manager, construction program manager, and assistant director. He oversees a staff of highly skilled architects, engineers and construction professionals, as well as facilities managers, tradesmen, real estate managers, and building code officials. Jim started in the construction industry in 1979 and has experience in all aspects of commercial and industrial construction. Prior to his public service, Russell worked for 21 years as a contractor.
The Advisory Committee is composed of four individuals with significant expertise in developing large-scale, mixed-use communities focused on innovation. Committee members have been chosen based on their experience and subject-matter expertise. No members have direct financial stake in development at The Point. The committee meets monthly.
The roles and responsibilities of committee members include advising the Land Authority on potential improvements to draft plans, helping to select development partners, advising on various aspects of partnerships between the State of Utah and future development partners, defining and phasing development, and assisting in other matters delegated to them by the Land Authority.
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
April Cooper
April Cooper was appointed to serve on the board by Governor Herbert. She is the CEO/president of Alpine Companies, which is consistently ranked as one of Utah’s fastest-growing companies with over $250 million in federal prime contracts awarded since 2016. April has experience in government property and loan servicing as well as disposition. She is adept in financing, audit, accounting, compliance, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Jim Russell
Jim Russell was appointed director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) in March 2017. He began his career with DFCM in 2005 as a capital improvement project manager. He has also held several other positions within DFCM over the years: capital development project manager, regional manager, construction program manager, and assistant director. He oversees a staff of highly skilled architects, engineers and construction professionals, as well as facilities managers, tradesmen, real estate managers, and building code officials. Jim started in the construction industry in 1979 and has experience in all aspects of commercial and industrial construction. Prior to his public service, Russell worked for 21 years as a contractor.
The Land Authority has an Audit and Finance Committee to provide proper oversight of its budgeting, financial tracking and operations. This prudent approach is a best practice that ensures transparency and accountability of the Land Authority’s work. Committee members meet regularly and are actively engaged in providing guidance and direction. Board members have been intentionally selected based on their extensive background in auditing and financing on large-scale infrastructure development projects.
The Audit and Finance Committee provides an additional layer of oversight to existing audits and reviews performed by the State Auditor, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Utah Division of Finance. These multiple layers of in-depth reviews establish appropriate checks and balances that safeguard and protect Utahns’ investments at The Point. No members have any direct or indirect financial stake in development at The Point.