UAC STAFF

Brandy Grace was appointed CEO of the Association in July of 2019. Brandy's 24 years in county government, service as a county elected official, experience as UAC's President and most recently as COO, and her understanding of UAC's members all make her uniquely qualified to fulfill this role.

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Brandy's experience gives the association a new outlook on member relations and program development. Brandy has been a strong advocate for members and is committed to building value by meeting member needs through collaboration, education, and outreach.

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Current Projects

UAC Affiliates Relations Coordination, Local Government Associations Collaboration, Corporate Partnership Development, Staff Coordination, and Program Oversight

Sheri Dearden joined the Utah Association of Counties in May 2023. Sheri is an experienced finance professional with over 20 years of dedicated service in local government operations. Throughout her career, she has held key positions in the Millard County Assessor, Recorder, and Treasurer’s offices, where she has gained extensive expertise in the Utah taxation process and county government financial management. From 2015 to 2023, Sheri served as the Millard County Treasurer, successfully leading financial operations and
ensuring fiscal responsibility.
 

While Fillmore remains her home base, Sheri’s adventurous spirit often leads her and her husband, Ted to explore various destinations. They often seek the serenity of Lake Powell, immerse themselves in the wonders of National Parks, or embark on thrilling journeys along remote trails in their Polaris Ranger.

As a member of the UAC team, Sheri brings a wealth of experience and financial expertise. With her comprehensive understanding of local government operations and extensive knowledge of financial management, she serves as a valuable asset in shaping and implementing UAC’s strategic plans and policies. Sheri’s collaborative approach and commitment to excellence empower her to foster effective collaboration among UAC members, resulting in the delivery of exceptional member services, and helps ensure the UAC organization’s continuing success.

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Laura Barlow joined the Utah Association of Counties in April of 2021. She started her career in Utah in 2007 as a Majority Assistant for the Utah State Senate after graduating from Utah State University in Logan. Although she grew up in California, Laura has spent the last 14 years sharpening her skills her in Utah as a political fundraiser and elite event planner. Her years of experience include the following: coordinating the 2011 National Governors Association Annual Conference in Salt Lake City; working on a US Senate campaign in Las Vegas in 2010 and the Mia Love Congressional Campaign in 2012; lobbying with Hunter & Company for many years; acting as the Executive Director at the Canyons School District Education Foundation for three years; and working as the primary fundraiser for the Utah State Senate Republicans and the Utah House of Representatives.

 

Laura most recently spent a few years as an event consultant for a national mobile bidding company, working with non-profit organizations from around the country to raise funds for their causes.

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Bryan Rodgers joined the Utah Association of Counties in November of 2017. He was raised in South Jordan, UT and graduated from the University of Utah in 2009 with a B.S. Degree in Political Science. After graduation, Bryan was hired as the Southern Utah District Manager for the Associated General Contractors of Utah in St. George. Bryan, his wife Jessica and their three children enjoyed their time in beautiful Southern Utah for seven and a half years. Bryan served as Chairman of Leadership Dixie, a notable leadership group in Washington County.

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Bryan works with Corporate Partners of the Association. He recently received a master’s degree in Public Administration from Southern Utah University.

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Adam Kolowich joined the Utah Association of Counties in September 2023. Adam comes to this role with a diverse background that spans lobbying, military intelligence, and law.

Before joining UAC, Adam excelled as a contract lobbyist on Capitol Hill, where he represented a broad spectrum of clients. His adaptability and political insight were further honed during his partnership with Stokes Strategies, skills that will undoubtedly serve him well in the nuanced landscape of county-level policy and governance.

Adam's early career included significant military service. He served as an intelligence officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2004 to 2008. During this period, he was deployed to Baghdad from August 2006 to November 2007 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, in October 2005, Adam was part of the Utah National Guard's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana, working closely with local Parrish officials on cleanup efforts. These experiences provided him with valuable leadership skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving. Later, Adam took on the role of commander for B Company, 141st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist) in Orem, Utah, before retiring from the Utah Army National Guard in November 2022.

On the academic front, Adam is a graduate of Brigham Young University and holds a law degree from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. During his law studies, he cultivated strong relationships with faculty members who have since assumed key legislative and executive roles within the Utah state government. His education was further enriched with advanced coursework at the National Intelligence University, providing him with a well-rounded understanding of policy and governance.
Away from his professional commitments, Adam is an avid cyclist who enjoys exploring the scenic vistas of Utah, including favored routes such as Blacksmith Fork Canyon and Highway 12.

With his multifaceted skill set and wealth of experiences, Adam is eager to collaborate with UAC's elected county officials and policy steering committees. He is fully committed to utilizing his extensive background to advocate effectively for policies that will benefit Utah's counties and their communities.

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Zeke Lee joined the Utah Association of Counties in September 2019. Prior to joining UAC, Zeke worked as a public affairs consultant for Bank of America. Additionally, he has worked on several successful local government campaigns and in 2016, he began working at the Olene S. Walker Institute at Weber State University where he coordinated congressional, state, and local government internships. He was also responsible for organizing institute events.

 

Zeke is a proud Weber State Wildcat and enjoys golfing, sport shooting, and traveling. He speaks Spanish, German, and sometimes English.

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Current Projects

Legislative Advocacy and Coordination, UAC Legislative Committee Coordination, and Lobbying

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Katherine Rhodes joined the Utah Association of Counties in March of 2020 after six years of employment in the Utah Attorney General’s Office. While there, she focused on the Opioid Task Force, the Mental Health Crisis Line Commission, and the SafeUT App and Commission. She also ran the AGO internship program and youth program, developed the White Collar Crime Offender Registry, and managed special projects. Her work with the AGO has garnered over ten Best of State Awards. She is passionate about making behavioral health services available to all Utah residents.

 

Katherine was raised in Cottonwood Heights. She received her undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Political Science. Katherine lives in West Jordan.

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Katie Miner joined the Utah Association of Counties in September 2023. A Utah State University graduate, Katie got her start in politics missing class to attend Utah State Legislative sessions and spending summers in Washington, DC with a political consulting firm.

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Katie returned to Utah to serve as deputy campaign manager and finance specialist for Gov. Spencer J. Cox's campaign for governor and coordinated the first inauguration in rural Utah before joining the state as Public Information Officer in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

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Katie lives in Salt Lake City with a too-productive apricot tree. She loves a well-curated museum, great stories, and Diet Coke.

 

Melanie Stark joined the Utah Association of Counties in April of 2022. Prior to her time with UAC, she attended Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University) and graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2020. Melanie worked with the Marketing and Communications department at DSU as an Executive Assistant. She considers herself a jack-of-all-trades; not an expert in anything (except quoting Harry Potter movies) but excited to help with a little bit of everything. 

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Melanie loves photography, design, fashion, and the Oxford comma. She loves to travel, watch movies, eat bread, and make everything pretty. 

 

Andy Faulkner joined the Utah Association of Counties in July of 2023. Andi graduated from Utah Valley University in 2017 with an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science, accompanied by a minor in Criminal Justice. During her time as a student, she demonstrated her commitment to community engagement by serving as a council member for the Young Emerging Leaders Advisory Council within the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). This involvement allowed her to advocate for important issues and contribute to the betterment of her local community.

Prior to joining UAC, Andi gained invaluable experience at Precision Concrete Cutting. With over nine years of experience collaborating with local municipalities in the concrete industry, she developed a strong skill set in project management and office administration. Andi’s hobbies reflect her adventurous and community-oriented nature. She enjoys road trips and exploring new places. She volunteers with the Green Team at USANA Amphitheater, a recycling program dedicated to promoting sustainability during concerts. Andi’s love for the arts is evident through her involvement with the local arts scene, which includes organizations such as the Utah Arts Alliance, Utah Symphony, and Ballet West.

 

Andi has a profound desire to help people and make a positive difference in their lives. Her role with the CJCC councils aligns perfectly with her aspirations, providing her with the opportunity to contribute to the criminal justice system’s coordination and administration. With her passion, experience, and dedication, Andi is ready to for this new role and looks forward to working with the UAC membership in supporting and improving the lives of individuals within the community.

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