USU Board of Trustees Elects Chair, Vice Chair

LOGAN, Utah — The Utah State University Board of Trustees elected Trustee Tessa White as the new chair on Friday, June 20. The board also elected Trustee Gina Gagon to continue in her role as vice chair.

Trustee White and Trustee Gagon will begin their terms on July 1.

"I am an Aggie. My husband and parents are Aggies, as are several of our children. I love this school and it's an honor to serve,” said Trustee Tessa White. “I'm eager to partner with my fellow trustees, the administration, and our exceptional faculty. Together, we'll ensure all Aggies continue to be an incredible force for good, reaching every corner of our state."

Tessa White started her career in human resources working with Stephen R. Covey and went on to build global human resources functions within United HealthGroup and later for Vivint Solar. Her expertise is in managing change, building companies for fast growth, and managing aggressive merger and acquisitions. Her heart is with young professionals, as a best-selling author and a career navigation expert who helps individuals excel in the workplace. She has served on the Huntsman School of Business Board and was sworn onto the Board of Trustees on Aug. 12, 2021.

Gina Gagon started her career in business assurance with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and later worked with PwC's Financial Advisory Services group in bankruptcy, business valuations and expert witness testimony. Gina currently runs Gagon Family Medicine with her husband, celebrating 25 years as a small business this July. She has served as the founding chair for the Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County Board of Directors, treasurer of Price Chapel Governing Board, chair of the Carbon County Strategic Planning Committee, and chair of the local Community Economic Council. She was appointed to the USU Board of Trustees in March 2019.

Officers are elected from the Board of Trustees during odd-numbered years to serve for two years. Outgoing chair Jacey Skinner was elected in May 2023.

The USU Board of Trustees is the governing board for Utah State. Its functions and responsibilities are derived from Utah statutes and those delegated to it by the Utah Board of Higher Education. Membership of the board consists of nine individuals appointed by the governor of the state to four-year terms, and two ex-officio members who are the president of the USU Alumni Association and the president of the student body of the university.