Van is a native to District Two, having attended Glendale Elementary School, Glendale Junior High School and South High.  Following high school, Van attended the University of Utah.  He has been a business owner in District Two for 35 years with a strong background in community service.  He served as Chair of the West Salt Lake Community Council for four years, and served as its Vice Chair for four years. In conjunction with the West Salt Lake Community Council, he also served on their Crime Committee, Education Committee and Jordan River Safety Committee.  Van has worked on the “National Night Out Against Crime” parade and party for ten years and served on the Board of Directors of the Sunday Anderson Senior Center.  He has diligently worked to remove graffiti from the west side of the City.   

Van is the recipient of numerous community awards: the “Good Neighbor” award in 1992 was presented by the Salt Lake Association of Community Councils; in 1993 he received the “Good Neighbor” award from the West Salt Lake Community Council; ZCMI’s “Salute to Excellence” award was presented to him in 1995; in 1998 he was named “Salt Lake City Citizen of the Month” by the Salt Lake City Mayor.   

Van and his wife Wendy are the parents of seven children:  Lesley, Ethan, Heather, Brianne, Natalie, Devan, and Christian. 

District Two neighborhoods include Glendale, Jackson and Poplar Grove.  The District also includes the Centennial Park industrial area, Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center and Unity Center, and the Glendale Golf Course.

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