Born in Blackfoot, Idaho and raised in the rural West, Jon M. Huntsman has lived a remarkable and fascinating life. At the conclusion of the Twentieth Century, he was selected as one of the ten Utahns who most influenced the state during the Twentieth Century (Only two of those individuals are currently living).
Jon attended The Wharton School of Business, at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the recipient of the Most Outstanding Graduate Award. Currently, he is the chairman of the Board of Overseers for The Wharton School, America’s oldest and highest rated business school. Subsequently, he earned an MBA degree and has been awarded twelve honorary doctorate degrees at various universities. Mr. Huntsman is a former U.S. Naval Gunnery Officer, and served under President Nixon as Special Assistant to the President and as White House Staff Secretary.
Mr. Huntsman is widely recognized as one of America’s foremost concerned citizens and philanthropists. In 2000, he was distinguished as one of the three most generous Americans. His significant contributions to the homeless, the ill and the underprivileged have assisted thousands. His humanitarian concerns extend throughout the globe. In 2001, Mr. Huntsman was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2003, he received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from CNN’s Larry King. He has served the past eight years as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross and as Chairman of its Biomedical Services Committee (America’s blood supply).
Jon and Karen Huntsman donated $225 million to establish and fund Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, now one of America’s major cancer centers, dedicated to finding a cure for cancer based on genetic research. Mr. Huntsman donated significant funds to rebuild the country of Armenia after the 1988 earthquake; his efforts earned him the country’s highest award – The Medal of Honor.
Mr. Huntsman’s passions in life (aside from his corporate, civic and philanthropic activities) are spending time with his 9 children and 55 grandchildren, as well as floating the Teton River on a calm summer afternoon and landing a 21” cutthroat trout. This love drove his return over the past decade to his rural Idaho roots where life can be enjoyed without the interruptions and distractions that accompany city life. One may happen to run into Jon at any of the local eating establishments in Driggs, or on site of Huntsman Springs where he frequently drops by to enjoy the wildlife refuge and chat with the crew.
|
