Biography
Ralph Becker was sworn in as Mayor of Salt Lake City in January, 2008. Prior to being elected Mayor, he was a member of the Utah House of Representatives, from 1996 to 2007. During that time, Mr. Becker served in leadership for seven years, including five years as the House Democratic Leader.
Mayor Becker is a professional planner (FAICP) and lawyer. He founded the consulting firm Bear West in Salt Lake City in 1985, specializing in community planning, environmental assessment, public lands, land use, consensus building, and public involvement.
Mr. Becker received a Bachelor of Arts in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and received his J.D. and Masters Degree in Geography and Planning from the University of Utah in 1977 and 1982. Mayor Becker is an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. He has taught environmental planning, policy and law, public lands, and environmental assessment in the College of Architecture and Planning.
Mr. Becker is on the board of the Policy Consensus Initiative, an organization promoting collaborative decision making in state government. Away from work, Mayor Becker is an avid skier and kayaker and enjoys Utah’s great outdoors with his two sons and 14 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.