Biography
Over 30 years ago, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was taken by the same allure that brought many residents to Utah’s Capital City, drawn by the area’s unique mix of geographic beauty, metropolitan energy and year-round recreational opportunities.
Ralph earned two graduate degrees at his new home’s University of Utah – a Master’s in Planning and a JD – after completing undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He served as the Utah State Planning Coordinator under Governor Scott Matheson and then went on to launch his own Salt Lake City-based consulting firm, Bear West, specializing in community planning, environmental assessment, public lands use and public involvement before acting on his long-held desire to serve the public.
Elected to the Utah State Legislature in 1996, Ralph was a member of the House of Representatives for 11 years and battled for the issues most important to his Avenues constituents. He served in legislative leadership positions for most of that tenure, including five years as House Minority Leader.
In 2008, Ralph brought this considerable body of education, experience and engagement with local issues to his new office of Mayor of Salt Lake City.
In the first three years of his first term, Mayor Becker has greatly expanded transportation options for the City’s residents and visitors, with a special focus on public transit, trails and bikeways. He also championed the state’s first municipal protections in the areas of employment and housing for the City’s LGBT community – an effort that has since been replicated by Salt Lake County and over a dozen local governments throughout Utah. Under Mayor Becker’s leadership, City government has become much more transparent, and new opportunities have been created for residents to engage and participate in the decision making process.
Mayor Becker is a leader who has made, and will continue to make, collaboration and partnerships an essential element in his efforts to see Salt Lake City as an even more vibrant, liveable and sustainable community for its current residents and into the future.
Mayor Becker is an avid outdoorsman who, when he is away from work, can be found backcountry skiing, river running or backpacking. He is also the proud father of two sons and a 17-year-old granddaughter.
Education
B.A. American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania
M.S. Geography (Planning emphasis), University of Utah
J.D., University of Utah
Professional
Co-Founder, Bear West Company
Lawyer -- Specialization: Environmental, Natural Resources, Public Lands, Land Use
Adjunct Professor, University of Utah – College of Architecture and Planning
State Planning Coordinator and Dep. Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
Vice-President, Bonneville Associates
Public Service
Minority Leader, Utah State House of Representatives
Utah State Representative, District 24
Deputy Director and State Planning Coordinator, Utah Office of Planning and Budget
Ranger/Fire Fighter/Garbageman, Grand Canyon, National Park Service
Capitol Preservation Board Board member,
Salt Lake City Planning Commission
Chair, Salt Lake City Zoning Rewrite Committee
Steering Committee Member, Envision Utah
Community Member, Memory Grove Oversight Committee
Regional Advisory Committee, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute
Board Member, Policy Consensus Initiative
Honors and Awards
Outstanding Leadership Award (2006), Utah Association of Energy Users
Going to Bat Award (2006), Utah Heritage Foundation
Public Service Award (2004), Utah Association of Special Districts
Toll Fellow (2004), Council of State Governments
Fellow, Up-and-Comer, State Leaders (2000), Democratic Leadership Council
Flemming Fellow (1999) Center of Policy Alternatives
Western Planner of the Year (1997)
Outstanding Service to the Planning Profession (1986), Utah Chapter, American Planning Association
Major Legislative Successes
Quality Growth Act (1999)
Funding for the LeRay McAllister Critical Lands Fund (1999 – 2007)
Hate Crimes Legislation (2006)
HIV/AIDS Funding (2005,2006)
Energy Policy Act (2005)
Facilities of Regional Significance (2004)
Historic Preservation in General Plans (2003)
Conservation Easement Legislation (2002)
Alternative Dispute Resolution Practices (2002)
Geologist Licensing (2002)
Natural Hazards Prevention Planning (2001)
Bonneville Shoreline Trail Program (2000)
In addition, Ralph Becker worked to increase government transparency and ethical standards by providing audio and video access to legislative debates, proposing banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators, prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds, and ending closed legislative meetings. He also worked to establish stricter standards on billboards and stop legislation which eased takings regulations.
Hobbies and Family
Two sons, Will and Derek
Granddaughter, Tiana
River Rafting and Kayaking
Hiking and Backpacking
Backcountry Skiing
For more information on Ralph or to see his full vita, please contact the Mayor’s press contact, Karen Hale.