About the Center
JAMES SOUBY
President and CEO
Jim Souby, long-time executive director of the Western Governors' Association, serves as
the Center’s President and CEO. He has enjoyed a long career in both the public and
private sector, making him the ideal individual to implement the Center’s mission. He
has been well-respected throughout his professional career and serves the Center with the
same vision and insight that distinguished his 30 years in state service. Jim was drawn to
the Center because he believes that smart, agile organizations can bring together the
diverse and talented people who can fashion practical policy solutions to the important
issues facing our communities.
Prior to his tenure with the WGA, he served as executive director of the Council of
Governors’ Policy Advisors, a national association of state policy directors, and as
the director of policy development and planning for the Governor of Alaska. Jim graduated
from Vanderbilt University and served on active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy (be sure
to ask about his volleyball net story sometime!). His private sector experience includes
partnerships in a geological and geophysical consulting firm, a commercial radio station
and a remote wilderness lodge, all in Alaska.
ROB SIMMONS
Vice President, Operations & Outreach
Rob began working for the Park City Center for Public Policy on various projects while
attending law school. Following graduation, he was more than happy to forego practicing
law to work full time on advancing the Center’s business model of convening diverse
and talented leaders to design and test practical solutions for improving our communities.
As Vice President of Operations and Outreach, Rob works closely with the Center’s
leadership to develop compelling programs that can improve people’s lives and involve
the surrounding community in the Center’s work.
Rob has an entrepreneurial background as well as experience in government and public
policy, including working in Washington D.C. on the American Waterways Operators
government affairs team. Rob earned a bachelor's degree, Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude and a
law degree from the University of Utah, where his studies focused on public policy and
business organizations. As a law student he received a CALI award for his work on
market-based approaches to reducing environmental pollution. He is also a Next
Generation Fellow of the American Assembly at Columbia University.
KATIE SMITH
Director of Communications
Katie Smith was thrilled to join the Park City Center as the Director of Communications,
following contract work she did in planning the inaugural Park City Policy Institute. She
was drawn to the Park City Center based on its mission of bringing people together from
all different sectors to identify solutions to current and future public policy issues.
She is currently responsible for the marketing and communications initiatives of the
Center, as well as planning all events related to current projects and the annual
Institute. She is also actively involved in the Center’s education sector and working
on governance programs, including the former governors board.
Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and History from the University of
Utah. She recently relocated from Washington, DC where she completed her Masters degree in
International Politics at American University. She also has many years of experience in
domestic education policy and meeting coordination from her work with the Association of
Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.
JILL POST
Accountant
Jill is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the State of Utah who spent seven years
prior to joining the Park City Center in public accounting. She primarily enjoys working
with nonprofits and government contractors and has gained most of her experience within
those sectors. Along with performing all accounting functions for the Center, Jill plays a
key role in insuring that resources for the Center’s grants and projects are managed
according to the highest standards.
Jill earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Utah and her
master’s in Business Administration at Westminster College.