Jayson is a visionary entrepreneur who founded J.Dawgs. He is now bringing his "special sauce" to This Is the Place.

"In 2004 I pawned my Fender Telecaster to rebuild a small shack in a small town dedicated to a few simple ideas: that good should be simple, that tin foil is better than plates and that napkins are always optional. That shack became my favorite place on earth, where a hot grill, all-natural dawgs, and homemade buns served over a good conversation are always a man's best friend. I love bringing people together, this is why we do it. I'm excited to serve on the Board of Directors."

“I absolutely love This Is The Place Heritage Park! I have been coming here for as long as I can remember. Living on the foothills of our beautiful state, all I’ve had to do is stand on my front porch and I can see almost the entirety of this expansive property. Its beauty always seems to amaze me, as the growth at the park continues constantly.

For decades I brought my 8 children here, creating happy and fun family memories. I’ve now ensured that each of my children have Annual Passes to bring their children and create the memories I would hope for my grandchildren. I slip up with them as often as I can. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to live in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and Virginia, all special and amazing states; each with their own unique qualities and places to visit, but with our stunning Wasatch mountain range, This Is The Place Heritage Park is perfectly situated at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, and at the very location this rich history started, no other state can compete with this backdrop.

This state park rivals anywhere I’ve been or had the pleasure of visiting. Utahns and visitors to our state are treated to special experiences by coming and learning about our history and heritage. It is a privilege and honor to serve as a Board Member. With so much to offer for visitors of any age, it is a real treasure for our citizens.”

Kirk Lusty brings more than four decades of legal experience and public service to the board. Raised in Nevada and Utah, he considers Panguitch, Utah his hometown. Kirk is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and has practiced law for 43 years.

Throughout his career, Kirk has served with the United States Department of Justice, the State of Utah, and a range of local and federal agencies, in addition to private practice. He has tried a wide variety of cases in courts across the United States, developing a reputation for thoughtful legal insight and dedicated service.

Kirk and his wife are the parents of six children and proud grandparents of four. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of This Is The Place Foundation and to support the preservation of Utah’s pioneer heritage.

Rachelle Morris brings extensive experience in finance and investment to the board. She is an accomplished investor and former executive with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, where she built a career advising on complex financial and investment strategies.

A descendant of Utah pioneers, Rachelle has a deep appreciation for the state’s heritage and the values that shaped it. She is passionate about connecting Utah’s dynamic innovation economy with the public sector and community institutions. Rachelle is honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of This Is The Place Foundation.

Dave Nelson brings valuable business leadership and entrepreneurial experience to the Board of This Is The Place Foundation. He is the principal and owner of Millstream Properties, where he has built a strong record in real estate investment and development.

Dave is passionate about supporting community institutions that preserve Utah’s history and heritage. He is proud to contribute his experience and perspective as the foundation works to strengthen and grow the future of This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Alex Stromberg is a curator in the Historic Sites Division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as a visitor experience specialist for the Midwest region which includes Historic sites in Illinois and Missouri. He studied history and music at Brigham Young University- Idaho, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2010. He also completed a master's degree in historical administration from Eastern Illinois University in 2015. Before taking his current position in the Historic Sites Division, Alex worked at This Is The Place for 15 years, including as a member of the administrative staff. He has a deep love and respect for the park, and its significance in Utah's diverse history. The Park is also meaningful to his family on a very personal level. He and his wife Elora met there in 2010 while working as seasonal staff. They now have four children, all of whom have a love for the park, especially the candy shop, animals, and historic demonstrations. Alex is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and the Park he loves as a member of the Board at This Is The Place.

Scott Strong is currently serving as the Utah State Parks Director. Scott brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our organization. Scott has always felt a strong connection and appreciation for nature. Asking him to choose just one outdoor activity as a favorite would be extremely hard due to the wide variety of them available at state parks. Scott has hiked Frary Peak at Antelope Island State Park, ridden ATVs at Wasatch Mountain State Park, floated the river from Green River State Park, and wake boarded at Sand Hollow State Park. Scott is also passionate about the game of golf. He has played competitively and is heavily involved in the management and success of the four Utah State Park golf courses. He is a graduate of Weber State University with a degree in business administration and marketing.

David Studdert studied International Law and Diplomacy at Brigham Young University. He went on to manage the national tour for Warren Miller Entertainment’s annual ski production, an experience he counts among the most memorable of his career. David later owned and operated, alongside his brothers, a premier big-game hunting ranch in Montana before serving as a White House appointee and U.S. diplomat at the U.S. Department of State. A serial entrepreneur, he has launched and led ventures across diverse industries, most recently as a founding partner at LVT, a leading security technology company. Beyond his professional pursuits, David is deeply passionate about family and finds his greatest joys in the outdoors with his wife and 4 children.