YESCO
Jeff Young
Executive Vice President of Young Electric Sign Company, working alongside third- and fourth-generation family members at the company his grandfather founded in 1920.
The Premier Recognition Award Program
The Standard
of Excellence.
Recognizing the artisans, innovators, and pillars of our state who define the contemporary landscape of achievement.
Current Winners
Furniture • 2026
Osmond Designs
Family-owned home furnishings destination shaping how Utah lives, gathers, and rests.
View Winner→
Property Management • 2026
ICO Property Management
Luxury Utah apartment communities delivering a resort-style lifestyle for residents year-round.
View Winner→
Banking • 2026
Central Bank
Utah County's locally owned community bank pairing relationship banking with modern digital tools.
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Consumable Gifts • 2026
Olive & Cocoa
Hand-assembled luxury gift crates that have redefined the modern corporate and personal gifting market.
View Winner→
Consumer Electronics • 2026
PC Laptops
Custom-built computers backed by a lifetime in-store service guarantee unmatched in the industry.
View Winner→Banking • 2026
Zions Bank
Utah's hometown bank since 1873, recognized again for community investment and customer experience.
View Winner→
Household Goods • 2026
Cariloha
Sustainably crafted bamboo bedding, bath, and apparel that built a global lifestyle brand from Utah.
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Cosmetic/Medical Spa • 2026
Utah Facial Plastics
Double-board-certified surgeons leading the Mountain West in facial plastic and reconstructive care.
View Winner→
Event Production • 2026
Skylark Productions
Utah's go-to production company for live music, entertainment, and unforgettable events.
View Winner→
Mortgage • 2026
City Creek Mortgage
Salaried loan officers and transparent pricing that put homebuyers first.
View Winner→
Health & Wellness • 2026
USANA Health Sciences
Global nutritional science company producing pharmaceutical-grade supplements from Utah.
View Winner→Government • 2026
Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission
Regulating professional and amateur combat sports across the state of Utah.
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Catering • 2026
Culinary Crafts
Utah's largest off-premise caterer and a 19-time Best of State medalist.
View Winner→
Signage & Advertising • 2026
YESCO — Young Electric Sign Company
A century of iconic custom signage, lighting, and out-of-home advertising built in the West.
View Winner→
Broadcasting • 2026
KUTV Channel 2
Salt Lake City's CBS affiliate connecting Utah audiences with news and marketing that moves.
View Winner→Audio Visual • 2026
WEBB Audio Visual
Technologists, creatives, and producers delivering world-class live and hybrid event experiences.
View Winner→
Fine Dining • 2026
Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant
An iconic Salt Lake heritage brand and 11-time Best of State “Most Authentic Mexican” winner.
View Winner→About Best of State
Recognizing the best of Utah.
The Best of State Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses in Utah. By celebrating excellence in our community and sharing examples of success and triumph across so many worthy endeavors, we hope all will be inspired to reach a little higher, try a little harder, and work a little smarter for their dreams and goals.
Judging Criteria
50%
Achievement
Demonstrated excellence in their field — superior products, growth, peer recognition, and awards won.
30%
Innovation
Creativity in approaches, techniques, methods, or processes that set them apart from others in their field.
20%
Contribution
Service, charitable giving, employment, environmental stewardship, and other ways winners make Utah better.
When applications close, more than 100 judges review the nominations individually, away from outside influence. Scores are collected and triple-checked by the independent CPA firm Gilbert & Stewart, P.C. Medal winners are announced each spring; the top scorer in each of ten divisions receives the BOSS (Best of State Statue) at the Awards Gala in Salt Lake City.
Leadership
The Legacy Council
A volunteer advisory board of Utah business leaders who guide the program, champion its standards, and uphold the integrity of every award.
KUTV
Kent Crawford
General Manager at KUTV Ch. 2 with more than 20 years in broadcast and internet sales leadership, focused on helping clients meet their marketing goals through television and the web.
WEBB Production
Melanie Robinson
A Utah native and Stanford GSB MBA who leads teams of technologists, creatives, producers, and builders delivering world-class experiences in event and AV.
PC Laptops
Dan Young
Founder and CEO of PC Laptops, builder of custom-configured computers backed by a lifetime service guarantee, and a serial entrepreneur in gaming and cloud security.
Skylark Productions
Michael Tobian
Entrepreneur and professional musician honored as one of Utah Business Magazine's '40 Under 40,' with ventures that have garnered more than 60 Best of State awards.
City Creek Mortgage
Mike Roberts
Co-founded City Creek Mortgage in 1998, pioneering salaried loan officers and proprietary technology that lets consumers see real rates and fees instantly.
Osmond Designs
Heather Osmond
Owner of an eight-time Best of State winning interior design firm and host of the KSL Real Estate Show, recognized by Forbes, Elle Decor, and Architectural Digest.
Blue Iguana
Kris Cappaert-Primosic
Owner-operator of the heritage Mexican restaurant Blue Iguana, with eleven Best of State awards in the coveted 'Most Authentic Mexican' category.
Ivory Homes
Kristin Schmidt
VP of Operations at Ivory Commercial overseeing 18 premier apartment communities, with 25+ years in Utah and California multifamily property management.
USANA Health Sciences
Kevin Guest
CEO of USANA Health Sciences and a board member of the Direct Selling Association, overseeing record company growth and worldwide event productions.
Utah Athletic Commission
Tammy Leavitt
Public relations executive and 2002 Winter Olympic Games PIO, currently serving as Commissioner for the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission.
Mary Crafts Inc.
Mary Crafts
Founder of Culinary Crafts — Utah's largest off-premise caterer and recipient of 19 Best of State awards — now devoted to scholarships, mentoring, and keynotes.
Les Olson Company
Troy Olson
President of Les Olson Company with a 38-year tenure, serving on the Sharp Dealer Advisory Council and the company's board of directors.
Frequently Asked
Questions, answered.
Everything nominators, judges, and curious applicants ask most often about how Best of State works.