Michael M. Parker: a public policy maker for the future.

• Author: Whitesides, Hilary Ingoldsby
• Position: Around Utah - Salt Lake Chamber

With the perfect mix of a love for the state of Utah and, as he puts it, "a healthy disregard for the impossible," Michael Parker seems to be exactly what you'd want from a policy maker. As public policy area director for the Salt Lake Chamber, and in an era often plagued by political gridlock, Parker is officially in the business of getting things done.

"I really like being behind the scenes. I always say that my skillset is suited for back rooms and boardrooms. I want to move things forward and not get into the partisan rhetoric," Parker says.

And move things forward he has. In his year and a half as public policy area director, Parker has already accomplished a lot, including being instrumental in the passage of Utah's most comprehensive transportation funding legislation in state history. Parker is currently working as the lead author of the 2016 Public Policy Guide for the local business community, heads up various committees, and is constantly looking for new ways to help businesses succeed.

Parker has always been passionate about community and says he became interested in political science and public policy as an undergrad at the University of Utah. As he continued in his schooling he thought the ultimate goal was to end up in Washington D.C. After gaining important experience at a lobbying firm in D.C. (and meeting his future wife), he felt the pull to come back home to Utah and put his skillset to use in the Beehive State.

"What is most interesting about Utah, and is sort of at the nexus of what I do, is that we have a blank canvas currently. In some ways we're peaking right now and getting national recognition for things like business and quality of life, and we're early enough that we can take control of certain challenges that prevent other places from moving...