Jan Garbett

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Jan Garbett was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in 1978. In a 2020 survey to [the profile publisher], Garbett described her profession as "Entrepreneur, Mother."[2]

Before joining Democrat Vaughn R. Cook's ticket for governor and lieutenant governor of Utah in 2016, Garbett was a registered Republican, though she had previously been a Democrat in college. Her husband, Bryson Garbett, served two terms in the Utah House of Representatives in the 1980s. The couple owns a large home development company called Garbett Homes. Garbett is also the founder of EPIK Deliberate Digital and co-founder of the Escalera Foundation.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Successful Businesswoman

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In partnership with her husband, Bryson, co-founded Garbett Homes, a company nationally recognized for its solutions to environmental issues (Zero Energy Ready homes)

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Sustained the business through the 2008 recession through forward-thinking strategy changes

Caring Philanthropist

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Co-founder of Fundación Escalera, raising $11 million to provide children in México with good education and local opportunities; over 100,000 students helped

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Co-founder of the Benjamin Foundation, providing grants for start-up nonprofits in Utah

Community Servant

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Advisor, Utah State PTA Family Life and Digital Citizenship Committees (2017-2019)

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Salt Lake County Commission on Youth member (2015-2018)

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Civic Engagement Leadership External Advisory Board Member, Brigham Young University (2015-2018)

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Founder of EPIK Deliberate Digital an organization dedicated to collaborative cross-sector efforts to help youth be mindful digital users

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Women for Decency president (2011-2014)

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Provider of internships, scholarships, and project funding for students

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Direct supporter of local community arts programs

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Involved citizen, including serving several times as a party delegate

Dedicated Mother and Grandmother

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Raised eight children

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Grandmother of seven

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Heavily involved in PTA as a parent, helping introduce some innovative programs in her children's schools

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Understands first-hand the challenge of balancing family and work needs

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Our greatest challenges demand and invite us to move beyond the pull of partisan special interests and instead engage in collaborative problem-solvingI have lived experience as a family business owner, an innovator, an activist, a parent, and a community change leader. I know how to bring people together, and I'm not afraid of tackling hard things.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education

-Utah has significant challenges with teacher shortages, teacher salaries, and funding for its schools. Education will be a priority for me as governor.

-Education isn't just an issue for children. As changes come in our world, we can reskill ourselves. Adults need not look forward to the future with fear.

Healthy Air

-I've been in the trenches working to do something about Utah's air. I don't just talk about clean air; I've done something about it.

- There are things in Utah we could have done yesterday to clean up our air. We can start now to make things better.

Health Care

-I want Utah to be a leader in changing how we talk and think about health care. I will invite Utah stakeholders to consider what kinds of innovative, collaborative solutions we can create to bring healthcare costs down and make all elements of healthcare (including mental health services and pharmaceuticals) more accessible and affordable. Some thought leaders are already working on such creative problem-solving and I will encourage others to follow suit.

Growth

-I will ask hard questions about things like housing shortages, economic development strategies, and caring well for the precious natural resources (air, land, water) in our beautiful desert state.

-I will make decisions that both build on the past and present good of our state and also carefully consider how we can leave the best possible legacy for the future generations who will inherit the state from us.

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