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The BYU Management Society awarded Harris H. Simmons, chairman and CEO of Zions Bancorporation, with the Distinguished Utahn award Tuesday, April 21, at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Bishop Gérald Caussé of the Presiding Bishopric were among those attending the ceremony.
“Smart, successful, hardworking, his accomplishments are already legendary in business, and he is a visionary community builder supporting education, culture and humanitarian work,” Brother Simmons’ lifelong friend, Bonnie Jean Beasley, said of him.
“The things that everyone agrees on about Harris are two things in general,” said Ron Jibson, president of Questar Corporation.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is certainly not statistics … but it’s certainly the impact Harris has had for good in changing people’s lives and helping all of those around him.”
Brian C. Dixon, chairman of the Distinguished Utahn Committee, who presented the award, commended Brother Simmons for his and his family’s “legacy of moral and ethical leadership.”
“This award is not so much about me as it is the 10,000-plus people who make Zions Bancorporation an extraordinary institution,” Brother Simmons said.
“I am particularly humbled by this recognition for the company and myself as I reflect on the quality of the programs and the graduates of Brigham Young University, and the Marriott School of Management in particular.”
This is the 22nd such award given by the BYU Management Society. Other recipients include President Gordon B. Hinkley, President Thomas S. Monson, President James E. Faust and Elder Robert C. Gay of the Seventy. Previous recipients Dr. Charles W. Sorenson and Gail Miller were also present at the banquet.