The Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) has announced the appointment of Steve Grizzell as 2006 UVEF Chairman. Tim Hunt and Mike Hennessy will serve as new members on the UVEF board.

“2006 is a year of opportunity for Utah Valley start-ups and business throughout the state,” said Grizzell. “The tremendous expertise found on this year’s UVEF board will be key to helping develop entrepreneurs seeking success for emerging businesses.”

CEO of UTFC Financing Solutions, Steve Grizzell is a 20-year veteran in entrepreneurship, finance, innovation and economic development. His experience began in the mid-1980s when he consulted for the World Bank and U.S. Agency for International Development. To date, Grizzell has been directly responsible for more than 200 funding transactions, the majority involving technology-based companies. Grizzell is also chairman of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF) and serves on the boards of the Wasatch Venture Fund and MountainWest Venture Group. He has consulted around the world in countries such as Romania, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Tim Hunt is the founder and CEO of Lingotek, a language information technology and translation services company.  Prior to becoming an entrepreneur Tim supervised scripture translation for the LDS Church worldwide. He was also a tactical intelligence officer in the U.S. Army.  Hunt was one of the founding members of the University Venture Fund in Salt Lake City, which currently has $10 million under management.   

A principal at Wasatch Venture Fund, Michael Hennessy began his career as an investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston where he worked in a variety of industries and countries. Hennessy serves on the boards of directors of Feed Management Systems, Utah Business, Naartjie, O’Currance, Drive Safety, Pivot Solutions, Medsphere and Phonex.

Also serving on this year’s board are Paul Allen, Infobase Ventures; Karen Gudmundson, Power Innovations; Kyle Love, Direct Controls Inc.; Shauna Theobald , UVSC Small Business Development Center; Les Pardew, Alpine Studios; John Pilmer, PilmerPR; Dr. Mark W. Lund, PowerStream; Bryant Armstrong, Squire & Company; John Richards, Centers for Entrepreneurship & E-Business Brigham Young University; with Michelle Olsen serving as secretary to the board, on loan from the Commission for Economic Development in Orem (CEDO).

Founded in 1989, UVEF is a non-profit support group that promotes the development and growth of entrepreneurial ventures by providing networking opportunities, promoting recognition of business accomplishments and contributions, sharing business experiences and encouraging free enterprise.