Jay Francis

Jay Francis

President and CEO for the South Valley Chamber of Commerce

April 20th, 2021

11:30 AM - 12:20 PM

BUS 126

Jay Francis has been with the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies for over 30 years and is currently the executive vice president for Corporate Affairs & Miller Family Philanthropy for the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. In this role, he oversees the corporate events and community relations for the Larry H. Miller Group including the Larry H. Miller Education Foundation, and the Driven 2 Teach program, as well as the philanthropic efforts of both the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and Larry H. Miller Charities. Francis also sits on the corporation’s Leadership Council and is the executive editor of the company’s employee magazine, Winning Spirit.

Previous to his current appointment, Francis was the executive vice president of operations for Larry H. Miller Management Corporation, and oversaw the operation of Miller Family Real Estate, Jordan Commons, and also chaired a joint committee of Larry H. Miller marketing directors.

Francis began his career with the Utah Jazz in 1983 as their director of marketing, was named vice president of marketing and public relations for the franchise the following year, and transitioned to the Larry H. Miller Group with Larry’s acquisition of the Utah Jazz franchise in 1985. In 2003 he was named Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing for all entities of the Larry H. Miller sports and entertainment division. During his 22 years with the Utah Jazz and the sports and entertainment group, Francis oversaw all aspects of advertising and marketing, event and game operations, ticket and suite sales, public and community relations, event creation, and sponsorships. Francis also had oversight of the Utah Jazz customer service center. He played a key role in organizing the National Basketball Association’s first marketing advisory board and served a two-year term as one of its charter board members.

Francis serves on various boards which include chairing Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the United Way of Salt Lake, Museum of Natural History, Prosperity 20/20 and chairs the Utah Anti Bullying Coalition. Francis attended the University of Utah prior to spending the first five years of his career at Baker/Francis and Associates, a family-owned advertising company.

In 2005 Francis and his wife LeeAnn were called to preside over the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission for the LDS church. Larry Miller asked Jay to continue as a personal consultant so his tenure with the Larry H. Miller Companies would not be broken upon his return.

Francis and his wife LeeAnn have four children and eight grandchildren and make their home in South Jordan, Utah.