Utah House majority leader resigns to take economic development leadership appointment

One of the state’s top Republican legislative leaders will be leaving the Utah Legislature to accept an appointment from Gov. Spencer Cox. 

House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, will be resigning from the Utah House effective May 30 to serve as executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, according to a news release issued Friday. 

“Serving in the legislature has been one of the great honors of my life,” Moss said in a separate news release issued by the governor’s office. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Utah in this new capacity and help advance the Governor’s vision for economic opportunity across the state.”

Moss’s first day in his new role will be June 2, according to the governor’s office. Starting that day, he’ll serve as interim executive director until his appointment is confirmed by the Utah Senate. 

“Jefferson Moss brings a rare combination of public service, private sector experience, and a deep understanding of innovation and education,” Cox said in a prepared statement. “He’s been a driving force behind many of Utah’s most forward-thinking initiatives, and I’m confident he’ll lead the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity with the same vision, energy, and commitment to our state’s future that have defined his career.”

Moss will replace GOEO’s former executive director, Ryan Starks, who left earlier this month to “pursue other professional endeavors,” according to a news release issued May 2. 

While announcing Starks’ departure, Cox lauded him as an “invaluable asset to the state and our economic development efforts. … We wish him the very best in his future pursuits.” 

Starks, according to his LinkedIn page, originally intended to launch his own consulting business before he was offered a position leading the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, which he accepted. 

Moss, during his time in the Legislature, focused on policy impacting education, energy, government spending and economic development. He was first elected to the House in 2017. He served in House leadership roles since 2019, including as vice chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee, a powerful budgeting body. 

To choose a new majority leader, the House Republicans’ caucus will hold a special leadership election in coming weeks. 

House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, praised Moss in a post on X, saying he has a “unique ability to bring people together, think outside the box, and solve complex challenges.” 

“While we’ll miss his leadership in the House, I know he will continue to serve Utah with the same passion and purpose in his new role,” Schultz said. 

Moss also currently works as associate commissioner of innovation, commercialization and economic development for the Utah System of Higher Education and as managing director of the Utah Innovation Fund. He’ll “continue in a leadership role with USHE in addition to leading GOEO,” according to the governor’s office. 

Previously, Moss also held leadership positions at Utah Valley University, was a strategist at KeyBank and Credit Suisse, and was a founder of several businesses.