Eric Gibson, the Economic Development Director for Ogden City, was announced as an Honoree for Utah Business’s Forty under 40 award. Eric is a lifelong learner and advocate of using economics to benefit people and their community. He currently focuses on economic development consulting to help communities develop a sustainable strategy to give their residents more choice and opportunities.
The Forty Under 40 Award is an annual celebration recognizing top achievements in Utah’s business community. This designation honors those who are actively trailblazing across a wide range of industries and have already made an impact among their colleagues, companies and communities. Key qualities include
- inspiring and are guiding their teams through a dynamic and fast-moving business environment,
- Involvement: Those who have founded companies, led nonprofits, or chaired influential organizations.
- Forward thinkers who prioritize innovation and mentorship.
- Passion about contributing to the success of everyone in their sphere of influence.
- Resilient and adapt quickly to change.
In an interview with Kenzie Koehle, Eric answered a few questions about what has influenced his success and what he finds most rewarding about his job.
What principle or habit has most influenced your professional success?
Curiosity. Because of my curious nature, I am willing to explore new ideas that show me how I can be wrong about things, learn new ways of doing tasks, and finding and using new tools. This has made me a better, more impactful worker and more empathetic to others’ beliefs, approaches and methods.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job industry?
Economic development is about using the tools of economics to improve the quality of life and set of choices for people, especially people who live in circumstances where their choices are limited and they don’t feel like people are in their corner. I love that my job is to think about and come up with ways to help them and make their lives better.
