Forty under 40

Christy Whitehouse | 39 - Principal and Vice President of Digital Services and Account Services, The Summit Group Communications

Christy Whitehouse conceptualized and built the Digital Services Division at The Summit Group (TSG) from the ground up. Within 12 months, it became one of TSG’s most profitable departments. In fact, during the last three years her department has seen revenue growth of 94 percent and the team has tripled in size.

Since the birth of Whitehouse’s division, the online landscape has continued to morph. She says that it now is far more complex and fragmented. “Our jobs have become more challenging in that we have to figure out how to get our message in front of consumers who are in constant consumption mode and prone to ignore the very messages we create. The ultimate challenge!”

Whitehouse is a member of the Utah Advertising Federation and the Women in Technology organization. She is also involved in Beta Sigma Phi, a women’s society organization focused on community service projects.

Matt Williams | 39 - President & Co-Founder, Pro Star Logistics

“I will never forget the first morning at Pro Star after resigning from a sales position with a fantastic company,” says Matt Williams, president and co-founder of Pro Star Logistics. He’d taken a risk, going from being recognized as the top salesperson in the West with Watkins Motor Lines to creating a startup. While taking this leap into entrepreneurialism, his wife was returning to school full time.

“I sat down at my desk and with a legal pad started a shopping list: laptop, cell phone, office supplies, carrier brokerage bond,” he says. Pro Star went from those humble beginnings to rapid growth, doubling its revenue annually during the first four years. Under Williams’ direction, Pro Star now includes international business and employs more than 60 people.

Williams believes strongly in mentorship, and has actively helped Utah college students through mentorship and fundraising. “As a student, I was recipient of the guidance and mentoring of several professionals in the field. I understand the benefit and know what a difference even a small amount of assistance can make.”

Kent R. Wuthrich | 37 - Executive Vice President of Marketing, ZAGG Inc

Kent Wuthrich was one of the original founders of iFrogz, a mobile device accessories company that was acquired by ZAGG for $105 million in 2011. His greatest challenge lately, he says, has been “transitioning from an ‘owner’ mentality to an employee.”

Now, in his role at ZAGG, Wuthrich oversees all marketing, design, PR, promotions and endorsement efforts for the company. He not only develops and implements marketing strategies, but is also instrumental in product and packaging design. In fact, products that he has spearheaded have won Best of Show awards at both the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Macworld.

“I pride myself in being an astute observer,” he says. “I always try to identify what makes things good or bad. Then I try to implement what I find in a new or different way.”

Outside of the office, Wuthrich has taught graduate-level design courses at Utah State University for 11 years and is a certified respite care provider for people with disabilities.

Jason Yeats | 36 - Co-Founder & CEO, Beckett & Robb

Jason Yeats was vice president of marketing at Del Sol for six years prior to co-founding Beckett & Robb, a custom menswear company.

“Choosing to leave a great job at a cool company to start my own business was the toughest decision I’ve ever made. The risk, the lack of stability, all of the unknowns can be overwhelming,” says Yeats. “Starting Beckett & Robb was the best decision I’ve ever made in my professional life. It’s been incredibly difficult and immensely rewarding.”

Yeats’ motivation stems from the desire to leave a mark on the menswear world. “We have a plan for the next 10 years and executing that plan is very inspiring to me. It’s not a burden or a job and I don’t think of it as work. … I love what we’re doing and I don’t need to try to get motivated, the passion pushes me.”

Crystal Young-Otterstrom | 32 - Partner, Foursight Partners LLC

Crystal Young-Otterstrom’s expertise spans across the board with connections in business, the arts, politics and public life. When it comes to business, Young-Otterstrom astounds her colleagues with her ability to juggle numerous projects. She is considered a master brander, copywriter, event planner, market researcher and more.

Young-Otterstrom currently works as a partner in the cause-marketing firm Foursight Partners. Some of her clients include the Utah Chamber Artists; Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks program; The Rose Exposed; Sarasota Symphony; Greenville Symphony; the Glen Miller Orchestra; and the Utah Population and Environment Coalition. Outside of the office, she serves as the administrative director for Utah Cultural Alliance, and a consultant for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. She is also a composer and opera singer.

In between all of the aforementioned, Young-Otterstrom has found time to launch community outreach programs, such as Vivace and the Utah Symphony |
Utah Opera’s Cadenza program. She also co-founded The Salty Cricket Composers Collective, the LDS Democrats caucus, and serves on a number of community boards and councils.