Conference Speakers and Panelists

Lorie Buckley is the Arts Administrator for Ogden City, where she has managed the city’s arts programming and public art initiatives for over a decade. A dedicated advocate for creative placemaking and cultural development, Lorie works closely with artists, organizations, and community partners to foster a thriving arts ecosystem in Ogden.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Two-Dimensional Art from Weber State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with Honors and receiving the Outstanding Two-Dimensional Artist Award. She also completed the Change Leader Institute with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, further honing her leadership skills in cultural and community engagement.
As an artist herself, Lorie enjoys working in acrylics, alcohol inks, and woodcut printmaking, and brings that creative lens into her work with the City. She is passionate about cultivating opportunities for artists and believes that the arts are essential to building a vibrant, inclusive, and livable city. Lorie is also a proud wife and mother of two, grandmother of three, and continues to find inspiration in both her family and the community she serves.

Terry Camp was raised in Hyde Park, Utah, and graduated from Utah State University with a degree in political science. He began his career working on Senator Orrin Hatch’s campaign and later in his Washington, D.C., office. Terry also worked for Congressman Rob Bishop and the House Natural Resources Committee under Congressman Bruce Westerman. In 2022, he joined the Utah Farm Bureau Federation as Vice President of Public Policy. Terry lives in Bountiful, Utah, with his wife, Kayla, their children, Elijah and Matilda, and their dog, Luna.

Half a century ago, I began work in the Construction Trades. During those years I started Cowan & Son Construction, specializing in historic restoration. Additionally, I taught at College of the Redwood’s Historic Preservation and Restoration Technology program, leading field techniques and historic millwork / cabinetry classes. This is my 10th season with HistoriCorps, most recently providing hands on training to JobCorps students. Sharing my skills and knowledge with others is a great joy.

Cameron Empey, P.E., is a senior structural engineer with more than 24 years of experience in the design and seismic retrofit of concrete, steel, and masonry buildings, including parking structures, university facilities, and K-12 schools. His work includes the seismic base isolation and renovation of the Utah State Capitol; the seismic retrofit of the Ogden High School auditorium; the University of Utah Crocker Science Center; the University of Utah Applied Science Center; and the UVU Engineering Building.

Emma Farley is the Marketing and Design Specialist for the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). With over a decade of experience in multimedia production and public communications—spanning Chicago’s WBEZ to municipal roles in New Mexico and Oregon—her career focuses on the intersection of storytelling and public service. Now with Utah SHPO, Emma blends her design expertise with a passion for history to create engaging, community-driven content that celebrates and preserves cultural heritage.

Thaine Fischer is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in real estate financing. He specializes in NMTC, HTC, and TIF financing for acquisitions, development, and management. Since 2006, Fischer has successfully redeveloped historic commercial buildings in the downtown core of Ogden, Utah.
Thaine co-founded Ogden Contemporary Arts (OCA) in 2012. He firmly believes that the arts have the transformative power to connect communities and serve as a strategic economic driver. Since its inception, OCA has achieved significant community impact and economic development, notably through the creation of the Dumke Arts Plaza.

Julia Geisler is the Executive Director of the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, leading stewardship, advocacy, and land-agency partnerships to protect climbing access across the Wasatch. Under her leadership, SLCA has grown into a national model for professional fixed-anchor maintenance, trail stewardship, and community engagement. She works closely with climbers, public land managers, and outdoor partners to ensure safe, sustainable access while protecting the history and future of climbing in the region.

Tim Glenn is a Salt Lake City based cultural sector enthusiast, and Museum Director for the Museum of Utah. For more than 15 years, Tim has built a career working in community spaces throughout the state. In the past, he's found success drawing cartoons and coffee shops, and writing in a variety of forms - including fiction, poetry, strongly worded letters, songs, typo-filled emails, and Dad-jokes.oon!

Chris Hall is the Planning Manager for UDOT Region 4. He attended SUU and received a B.S. in Integrated Engineering. He started working at UDOT in 2008 as an intern and has had several roles at UDOT. In 2019 Chris accepted a one-year fellowship with the American Association of State Highway and Traffic Officials (AASHTO) working in Washington DC. He was a Project Manager for 5 years then transitioned to his current planning position in 2021.

Rachelle Handley is the Assistant Heritage Program Manager for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, where she works to preserve historic structures and cultural resources. Much of her work focuses on creating new recreational opportunities by rehabilitating historic Forest Service administrative buildings and adapting them for public rental use. Her goal is not only to safeguard these historic places but also to offer the public a unique experience — an opportunity to step back in time and glimpse what life was like for a Forest Ranger in the early 20th century. Towards this effort, she is currently guiding restoration of the Monte Cristo Guard Station through partnership with HistoriCorps and the Forest Service’s - Weber Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. This partnership’s aim is to cultivate the next generation of skilled preservation professionals through on the job training.

Laura Hanson, AICP was appointed in 2024 to serve as Governor Cox’s Senior Advisor for Long-Range Planning, expanding and elevating her role as State Planning Coordinator. She has 25 years of experience as a professional planner, including serving as the Utah Transit Authority’s Planning Director, the first Executive Director of the Jordan River Commission, and as a private planning consultant.

Laura holds bachelor degrees in urban planning and environmental studies, and a master degree in urban planning from the University of Utah. Post graduate certificates include public involvement, leadership, and conflict resolution. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards.

Caroline Hargraves is the Marketing and Economic Development Division Director at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. She works to strengthen local food systems, expand market opportunities for Utah producers, and support rural economic development. With more than 15 years of experience in food systems and agriculture, her background spans the culinary industry, small business, and public service. Caroline lives in Salt Lake City with her son and enjoys fishing, camping, and exploring Utah’s outdoors.

Andrea (she/her) oversees Access Fund's climbing area stewardship and place-based education initiatives, including the Conservation Team and Climber Stewards program, and provides support for climbing conservation initiatives nationwide. She has a master's degree in Applied Geography and over 15 years of experience working in non-profit environmental stewardship and education with a focus in recreation areas. Andrea has worked with the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation to support program delivery in Indian Creek, Utah, in the Bears Ears National Monument.

Chad Hembree leads the Pre-Apprentice Carpentry Program at the Weber Basin Job Corps (WBJC) in Ogden, Utah. He has taught at WBJC for five years and has practiced carpentry for 32 years. The U.S. Forest Service operates WBJC as one of its 24 Civilian Conservation Centers. The program encourages students to learn in nature and to help sustain and improve the land they live on. Chad designs his pre-apprenticeship program around hands-on training that follows industry standards. He also partners with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and HistoriCorps to give students an opportunity to apply their carpentry skills to historic preservation efforts.

Bob is an architect and urban designer with over 40 years of experience designing public buildings and spaces across Utah. His preservation work includes Ogden High School, Peery’s Egyptian Theatre, the George Thomas Library and Stewart Building at the University of Utah, and the Ogden Main Library. His projects have earned awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Utah, and the American Institute of Architects at state, regional, and national levels. He has served on three AIA Communities by Design national teams and on the boards of Preservation Utah, the University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning and on the Ogden General Plan steering committee and the Ogden Planning Commission.

Success is rooted in managing all the details, something I’ve committed to throughout a 40-year career. We’ve designed many preservation based projects over the years. I graduated from UT Austin in 1983, and am driven by a dedication for design excellence and long-term impact. In 2011, I founded my favorite career chapter, Mountain West Architects, allowing me to guide projects from start to finish. I’m grateful for the partnerships, challenges, and experiences that we have experience and look forward to firm’s future.

Biography coming soon!

Cory has managed the National Register of Historic Places and architectural survey program at the Utah SHPO since 1998. His main interest is the vernacular (everyday) architecture of Utah which he was indoctrinated in during graduate school at the University of Utah under the tutelage of Dr. Tom Carter. His preferred work day is being out in the field and seeing architecture in the wild.

Rachel Kahler is a community builder, storyteller, and downtown advocate rooted in Heber Valley. She serves as Executive Director of the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS), leading downtown revitalization through historic preservation, economic development, and community-centered programming. Rachel produces signature events including Market on Main, Music on Main, and the Heber City Historic Walking Tour. She has spent more than 30 years involved in the Olympic movement, including leadership roles at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center as a Board Member, Senior Manager and a 2002 volunteer.

Shalae weaves culture and nature to create meaningful and sustainable places. Her expertise encompasses the adaptive re-use of historic sites, trail design, and an extensive knowledge of native plants. With degrees in landscape architecture and architecture, as well as a Historic Preservation Certificate, Shalae is uniquely qualified to design integrated sites that encompass history, culture, architecture, and ecology. Shalae’s leadership has empowered communities across Utah to reinvigorate and safeguard places and spaces which resonate with a vibrant sense of communal identity.

Ben Levenger is an AICP planner, registered landscape architect, Certified Economic Developer, and Main Street America Revitalization Professional. He is the president of Downtown Redevelopment Services, LLC, a planning firm that assists communities through downtown planning and rural economic development initiatives.

Mardita Murphy is an architectural designer and preservation professional based in Denver, Colorado. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture, with a concentration in Historic Preservation, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With more than a decade of experience spanning state and local government, private practice, and nonprofit work, Mardita has led preservation and existing-building design projects across multiple states. 
Mardita is the owner and principal of Rooted Preservation + Design, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to the thoughtful rehabilitation and stewardship of historic buildings. She also serves as Regional Program Manager for the Four Corners Region at HistoriCorps and leads the organization’s growing Architectural History Program.  
Mardita’s work with HistoriCorps reflects her commitment to mission-driven preservation. She values the organization’s focus on public lands stewardship and its ability to bring together professionals and volunteers who are passionate about preserving historic resources for lasting public benefit.

Allen Dale Roberts, FAIA, is a semi-retired architect who, for more than half a century, specialized in historic preservation and restoration architecture. His projects have received more than 100 national, regional and local awards for preservation and design excellence. Early in his career, Allen was the Architectural Historian and Historical Architect for the Utah Historical Society. He then partnered with Wally Cooper 2 to create Cooper/Roberts Architects, now CRSA, the first Utah firm to create itself to specialize in preservation architecture.  In 2017, Allen was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, or FAIA. Also an award-winning author, Allen recently co-authored the book, "Richard K.A. Kletting: Utah Architect and Renaissance Man, His Life and Works." He is currently in the editing phase of his next book, Brigham's Architects: Utah's Pioneer Architect-builders and Their Works, 1847-1880."  

Joined the all volunteer Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History Committee in 2017 and became co-chair in 2019. Our mission is to Protect, Preserve and Promote Park City's rich mining history. In our first decade we have saved 14 historic mining structures and offer a variety of educational programs on our mining history. Our latest initiative is launching the Historic Mine Route on September 7th.

As a professional planner, I have enjoyed creating places that people can connect with and enjoy. I believe that good design will stand the test of time. My true passion is in urban design and helping people connect with their community. I have over 19 years of professional planning experience and I have seen the importance of protecting livable neighborhoods. Working as a planner for Ogden City has allowed me to see the value that historic neighborhoods have on providing stability to a city.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Reide Thompson serves as Executive Director of the Ogden Downtown Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting economic vitality and community vibrancy within Ogden's Central Business District. Driven by a passion for local placemaking and crafting memorable experiences, Reide is invested in building vibrant, connected, and engaged communities through collaboration, creativity, and access to opportunity. With a diversified leadership background in both small business and nonprofits, Reide brings over 12 years of experience in strategic development, marketing, and community-led events and initiatives. Outside of work, Reide enjoys spending time outdoors in nature, volunteering, and seeking out unique cultural experiences through art and travel.

Sara Toliver, MBA, CDME, is President/CEO of Visit Ogden. Her passion for the Ogden-area community drives her in her day-to-day activities to make the greater Ogden area an amazing visitor destination and wonderful place to live. Sara is a strong advocate for the importance of the visitor economy in her community and around the state and region serving on several community and industry boards. In 2021, Sara was inducted into the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame and in 2023 received the Ogden/Weber Chamber’s Athena award.

Lex Traughber is a Senior Planner with Salt Lake City Corporation.  He has over 27 years of experience as a public sector planner in city and county government, with a broad range of skills in current and long range planning including historic preservation.  Currently, he is the lead historic preservation planner for Salt Lake City.  He is a graduate of Indiana University with a Master of Urban Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  Mr. Traughber also holds a graduate degree from the University of Paris in Public Administration/French Environmental Law.