Forty under 40

Daniel Blake | 25 - CEO & Co-founder, EcoScraps

Daniel Blake likes telling people he makes dirt for a living. In reality, it’s a little more complicated. His company, EcoScraps, is an organic lawn and garden products manufacturer. By taking produce waste and turning it into compost and other sustainable products, EcoScraps is keeping tons of waste out of landfills every day.

“I was raised with the family motto that ‘Blakes make solutions and not excuses,’” he says. “Finding solutions to the challenges that we face on a daily basis can be a lot of fun, not to mention extremely rewarding.”

Blake says successful professionals must be able to admit they don’t know everything and be willing to learn. They also need to be tenacious, but able to let go of a failing idea quickly. “I have noticed that many people are so enthralled by their ideas that they fail to see that they aren’t making progress,” he says. “If you fail fast and are willing to edit your initial plans, you can make changes quickly and succeed.”

John S. Bolinder | 36 - Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Nelson Laboratories Inc.

John Bolinder began his career at Nelson Laboratories in the mailroom. But from those humble beginnings, he has gone on to transform the company in significant ways. Bolinder has a knack for standardizing and simplifying processes. While working in the mailroom, he implemented an automated barcode and scan process. He later developed the company’s first sales and marketing team, and then built price models. From there, Bolinder transitioned into the accounting department, where he implemented new accounting systems and reports.

Bolinder currently serves dual roles as chief financial officer and chief strategy officer. Strategy seems to be his strong suit, and he says his favorite part of the job is “the constant ability to work as a helmsman who helps navigate the company through uncertainty and sheds light on opportunities through business intelligence, mentoring and anticipation of needs.”

He gains motivation from working to meet his goals, saying “each day comes with a new opportunity to improve.”

Celestia Carson | 35 - Senior Associate, VCBO Architecture LLC

Not only is Celestia Carson a licensed architect, she has also been a spinning instructor for more than 10 years. Carson has a focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which includes being an avid health enthusiast.

Carson is also strongly committed to supporting and reinforcing women in the field of architecture. Upon learning the low percentages of women who stay within the field, she committed to making a change and founded a local organization devoted to supporting, mentoring and advocating for women architects. Women In Architecture, SLC was created in 2012 and within its first month of organization Carson had more than 70 women participating. She is currently working to turn the group into a nonprofit organization.

As a young architect her first major project was the Syracuse High School for Davis School District, completed in 2007. She has worked on most of the major campuses in the state, including Weber State University, University of Utah, Westminster and Dixie State College of Utah. Most recently, Carson managed the Jeffery R. Holland Centennial Commons building at DSC.

Jacob Carter | 39 - Chairman and CEO, Deseret Biologicals, Inc.

Jacob Carter is guided by a simple mantra: “Sell more. Keep selling more. Be fair. Give back. Enjoy it. Develop amazing products.” Carter has followed that mantra through the many companies he has led—and there have many for this serial entrepreneur.

Today, Carter serves as chairman and CEO of Deseret Biologicals, where has led the company to fast growth and profitability, making the Inc. 5000 list in 2011 and 2012. “I enjoy the people and new product development,” he says. “Working with a phenomenally talented team allows me to learn from them each day, while developing and launching amazing new products is my pure passion.”

Carter is also on the board of the American Medical College of Homeopathy, a commissioner for Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America, founder and chairman of the United States Homeopathic Regulatory Commission and coach of multiple soccer teams for his kids.

Adam M. Chase | 30 - CEO, Chase Media Group

Choosing and empowering good people has been key to the success of Chase Media Group, says CEO Adam M. Chase. “I believe in identifying talented and driven individuals. That goes for my clients that I choose to align with, as well as my staff. Then I dedicate all the resources that I have to making those individuals successful. Inevitably, and organically, as they experience success, I grow with them.”