SALT LAKE CITY- (Nov. 30, 2011) Kem Gardner, chairman of The Gardner Company and co-founder and former president of The Boyer Company, will be honored as A Giant In Our City. The award is presented by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest and longest-standing statewide business association, and is recognized as the most prestigious business award given in Utah. Gardner will be the 32^nd person to receive the award in its 42-year history.

 

“I care deeply about our community. I love Utah and have tried to contribute every way I can to make this a great place,” said Gardner. “It is quite humbling to join such an esteemed group of men and women who have received this award.”

 

During his 38 years in the real estate business, Gardner has been involved in the development of some 2,500 residential lots, and more than 23 million square feet of corporate office and medical buildings, retail shopping centers, life-style centers, hotels and industrial/manufacturing facilities.

 

Gardner has donated significant time and financial resources to strengthen our community. He has been a Trustee of Intermountain Healthcare since 1982 and currently chairs the Board.  He chaired the successful fundraising campaign for the new Intermountain Medical Center.  Gardner has been a member of the board of Intermountain Healthcare for three decades and has chaired the United Way of Salt Lake and serves on the Board as well as the Board of the Utah Symphony.

 

Gardner contributed enormously to the success of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He was an original incorporator of the Salt Lake Olympic Bid Committee and chaired the 2002 Olympic Ambassadors responsible for fundraising for the games.  He chaired the Salt Lake Board for Olympic Aid and currently serves on the Right to Play USA Advisory Committee.

 

Gardner served as chairman of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors in 2001.

 

“Kem is more than just a successful businessman, and he is more than a generous philanthropist, he exemplifies success as a man,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “His ability to build and to give and his dedication to our community truly make him A Giant In Our City.”

 

 

The Giant In Our City award will be officially presented to Gardner Feb. 29, 2012 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

 

About A Giant In Our City

The Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors established the Giant In Our City award in 1969. The award was created to honor exceptional and distinguished public service and extraordinary professional achievement. It is considered the Chamber’s most prestigious award and is given periodically by the Chamber Board of Governors.

 

Giants In Our City

1970: Eric C. Aaberg
1972: Clarence Bamberger
1974: E.M. Naughton
1977: John M. and Glenn Wallace
1978: N. Eldon Tanner
1981: John W. Gallivan
1982: George S. Eccles
1984: Richard A. Van Winkle
1985: Wendell J. Ashton
1986: Arch L. Madsen
1987: B.Z. Kastler
1990: S. Chris Johnson
1992: Gov. Calvin R. Rampton

1994: G. Frank Joklik
1995: Fred S. Ball
1998: Kenneth Y. Knight
1999: Scott S. Parker
2000: Verl Topham
2001: Spencer Eccles
2002: W. Mitt Romney
2003: Don Cash

2003: Nick Rose
2003: President Gordon B. Hinckley
2005: Jon M. Huntsman
2006: James LeVoy Sorenson
2007: Larry H. Miller

2008: William H. (Bill) Nelson

2009: Roger Boyer

2009: Ellis Ivory

2010: Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish

2011: Bishop H. David Burton

 

About the Chamber
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s business leader.  A statewide chamber of commerce with members in all 29 Utah counties, the Chamber represents 7,700 businesses and approximately 500,000 Utah jobs—nearly half the workforce of our state. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber has stood as the voice of business, supporting its members’ success and championing community prosperity for over a century.