USU Foundation Announces New Chair, Vice Chair, Members for 2025-26 Fiscal Year

The Utah State University Foundation Board has announced several updates including new appointments and new members for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

In partnership with the university, the board members will serve as advocates within their communities, aid in cultivating private support and foster meaningful engagement as they work toward shared strategic goals.

Sylvia Jones, a marketing relationship manager with Wells Fargo in Macon, Georgia, was named chair of the Foundation Board. Kent Bracken, an information technology project management consultant in Evanston, Illinois, was named vice chair.

Additionally, within the last year, Katie Hansen, Eric Laub, Heather Mason and Bret Wursten joined the Foundation Board as new members.

The Foundation Board continues to build momentum as USU enters the third year of the Create Your Aggie Impact campaign — a bold new chapter in university fundraising that celebrates the transformative power of philanthropy. This campaign highlights the people who create opportunity and innovation, and the students, families and communities whose lives are changed by that generosity.

The board collaborates strategically with the university to build essential partnerships, champion scholarships, support innovative research and advance initiatives that align with Utah State’s long-term goals. By contributing their expertise across development, finance and investment, communications and engagement, and governance, board members help ensure these collaborative efforts remain focused, transparent and impactful.

“The commitment and vision of our Foundation Board are truly inspiring,” said Matt White, USU vice president of advancement and president of the USU Foundation. “Their leadership and dedication are helping us shape a future where every gift makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.”

From funding first-generation student scholarships to investing in landmark facilities and programs, the Foundation Board is committed to working hand-in-hand with the university to empower donors, expand access and secure a brighter future for every Aggie.

Sylvia M. Jones

B.S. Economics, 1987

Chair, USU Foundation Board

Sylvia Jones, born in San Antonio, Texas, grew up in a military family overseas. Her father’s transfer to Salt Lake City during high school introduced her to Utah State University, where she met her husband, Paul, and helped start the USU Voices of Praise Gospel Choir. Jones earned a bachelor’s in economics in 1987 and later an MBA from Western State College. She worked in financial aid roles in Colorado and Georgia before joining Wells Fargo as assistant vice president-account executive. Active in higher education organizations, she volunteers each year to help students and parents with college admissions and financial aid. Early in their careers, Sylvia and Paul established the African-American Leadership Award and have since supported causes like Goodwill, Rotary Club meals, and scholarships for disadvantaged students. Their philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to empowering others. They are proud parents of two Utah State graduates.

In addition to her role as chair of the Foundation Board, Jones serves on the Executive Committee and Communications and Engagement Committee.

Kent Bracken

B.S. Finance, 1976

Vice Chair, USU Foundation Board

Kent Bracken is an experienced consultant specializing in information technology and project management, most recently with Capgemini Consulting in Chicago. He earned a master’s degree in management information systems and finance from Northwestern University.

Over the course of his career, he has gained extensive international experience through long-term assignments in Singapore, Thailand and India. Bracken served on the National Advisory Board for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business from 2003 to 2012 and on the School of Accountancy Advisory Board from 2003 to 2009.

Since 2019, he has been a valued member of the USU Foundation Board. An advocate for LGBTQ rights, Bracken also enjoys skiing and traveling.

Along with his role as vice chair of the Foundation Board, Bracken also serves on the Executive, Development, and Finance and Investment committees.

New Foundation Board Members

Katie Hansen

Katie Hansen currently serves as president of CAPSA’s board of directors, having been a board member since 2020. She has built a 19-year career with Altabank, where she is vice president and regional operations manager, overseeing branch operations across Cache and Washington counties in Utah and Franklin county in Idaho. In her board role, Hansen has strengthened the partnership between Altabank and CAPSA — including support through home sponsorships — and has actively volunteered her time and talents.

A proud Aggie, Hansen is an enthusiastic supporter of USU Athletics. She and her family love spending time outdoors, especially riding side-by-sides, and rarely miss a chance to cheer on the Aggies at any athletic event.

On the Foundation Board, Hansen is the chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee and serves on the Finance and Investment Committee.

Eric Laub

B.S. Business Administration, 2019

Eric Laub serves as Co-CEO of Cache Valley Electric alongside his father, Jim Laub. He stepped into the role in 2025, becoming the fourth-generation leader as the company celebrates its 110th anniversary.

A Utah State University graduate, Eric joined Cache Valley Electric in 2015 and has held several key leadership positions. His experience and dedication position him to continue the tradition of excellence established by his great-grandfather, H.F. Laub, who founded the company in 1915.

Headquartered in Logan, Utah, Cache Valley Electric has grown into one of the nation’s largest electrical contractors, employing more than 3,000 people, with regional offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Portland, Oregon; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Blytheville, Arkansas.

On the Foundation Board, Laub is a GOLD member (graduate of last decade) and serves on the Development Committee and Finance and Investment Committee.

Heather Mason

B.S. Journalism, 1996

Immediate Past President, USU Alumni Association

Heather Mason founded the Caspian Agency in 2005 to elevate the strategic impact of events, creating the widely taught Caspian 10 Essentials framework. Throughout 18 years, Caspian has produced conferences for top organizations like the Hewlett, Rockefeller, and Ford foundations, and the Skoll World Forum.

Earlier, Mason worked in TV and film, launched the American Pavilion intern program at Cannes, and moved into high-tech events for Charles Schwab. She teaches in San Diego State’s hospitality master’s program.

An engaged Aggie, Mason created “Poetry and a Beverage” as a student and has just completed a term as chair of the USU Alumni Advisory Board. She also consults for the Rockefeller Foundation, speaks nationally and creates events like SUREFIRE Girls and CEO-U.

On the USU Foundation Board, Mason serves on the Development and Executive committees.

Bret Wursten

B.S. Human Resource Management, 1995

Bret Wursten is the CEO and President of Central Valley Machine, a precision manufacturing company in North Logan, Utah, celebrating 50 years of business. What began as a small family operation has grown under his leadership into a premier supplier of components for the aerospace, defense, and commercial sectors. Today, Central Valley Machine partners with industry leaders including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, SpaceX, S&S Sports, and the U.S. Navy.

A proud Aggie, Wursten earned his bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Utah State University in 1995. His wife, Chalisa, graduated in 1993 with a degree in early childhood/elementary education, and together they have carried forward a strong Aggie legacy — their three children and their spouses are all USU alumni.

Dedicated to advancing the university’s mission, Wursten serves on the Old Main Society Board, helping foster philanthropic growth and stewardship. On the USU Foundation Board, he contributes his expertise as a member of both the Development Committee and the Finance and Investment Committee.

New Committee Chairs

This year, several new committee chairs were appointed:

• Katie Hansen will lead the and Communications and Engagement Committee.
• Bob Arello will chair the Development Committee.
• Scott Bills will head the Finance and Investment Committee.
• Marshall Crawford will oversee the Governance Committee.

New Subcommittee

The USU Foundation Board established the Financial Compliance Subcommittee within the Finance and Investment Committee to provide oversight and feedback on the USU Advancement and Foundation budget. Its role is to ensure that all revenues and expenditures are managed in accordance with established USU budgetary practices and procedures while delivering an appropriate return on investment. The subcommittee will meet annually and report its findings to the Finance and Investment Committee, which will then present them to the full board.

The USU Foundation Board aims to secure private support in its many forms and provide a measure of excellence at USU not possible through public funding alone. In turn, the university continues to make an impact on its surrounding community and on the people it serves.