Board of Trustees

Rick Robinson is an experienced banking professional with over 42 years at Zions Bank, currently serving as Branch Manager and Vice President in Richfield, Utah. He has held various positions at Zions Bank, including Commercial Loan Officer in Cedar City, Branch Manager in Manti, and Loan Officer in Kanab. Rick manages a sizeable commercial and consumer loan portfolio, demonstrating his expertise in finance and business management.

A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Business Management and Finance, Rick has also earned two diplomas in Commercial Lending and Financial Accounting for Banking. He is a strong community leader, having served as President of the Richfield Rotary Club and the Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Rick is the Sevier County Republican Chairman and a committed volunteer in high school sports broadcasting and officiating.

Rick is dedicated to his community and family. He resides in Richfield with his wife and is passionate about sports, church, and civic involvement. As a Snow College Trustee, Rick brings a wealth of banking, leadership, and community experience.

Karen Soper, an educator and leader, has been shaping young minds for over four decades. A resident of Manti, Utah, she has been married to Korry Soper for 40 years. Together, they have raised four children and are proud grandparents to 14 grandchildren.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Administration. Her career in education has spanned both teaching and leadership roles, beginning as an elementary school teacher and later serving as an elementary school principal. Currently, she is the principal of Manti High School.

Passionate about student leadership, Karen believes in fostering a sense of community and service. She has served on numerous committees and boards, always striving to make a positive impact. Her guiding philosophy is best reflected in her favorite quote by Stephen Covey: "Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves."

Melissa Lowry Judy is a dedicated leader with deep roots in Sanpete County, where her ancestors settled Manti in the early 1800s. Their legacy of service has inspired her lifelong commitment to education and community involvement.

A proud Snow College alumna, Melissa earned her associate degree in 1991 before completing degrees at the University of Utah (1993) and Western Governors University (2020). She has over 20 years of experience in education and leadership, currently serving as Assistant Principal at Gunnison Valley High School and State Executive Director of the Utah Association of Student Councils.

Passionate about service, Melissa co-founded The Community of Hope, a nonprofit providing medical aid to the Dominican Republic, and previously served on the Gunnison City Council. Melissa and her husband, Dr. Cary Judy, live in Gunnison, Utah, where they raised their four sons.

A former student body president at Snow College, Melissa brings passion, leadership, and a collaborative approach to her role as a Trustee, working to enhance education and strengthen the community she loves.

Randy Cox is a dedicated financial professional and proud alumnus of Snow College, where he earned his A.S. degree in 1977 before continuing his education at Brigham Young University, earning a B.A. in 1979 and an MBA in 1981.

With over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, Randy began his career as a financial advisor at Kidder, Peabody & Co. (1981–1994) before moving to PaineWebber (1994–2000). He then served as a Managing Director and Investment Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors from 2000 until his retirement in 2024.

In addition to his professional achievements, Randy is deeply committed to education and community service. As a Trustee of Snow College, he brings valuable financial expertise and leadership to support the institution’s mission.

Randy and his wife, Claudean, enjoy spending time with their five children and nine grandchildren.

Francis Gibson is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in healthcare, public service, and community development. He currently serves as President and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association, advocating for hospitals and healthcare systems across the state.

From 2009 to 2021, Francis was a member of the Utah House of Representatives, representing District 65. He served as House Majority Leader from 2019 to 2021 and previously sat on the Mapleton City Council (2003–2007). His leadership extends to serving on boards for Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Utah County Children’s Justice Center, and the Utah Sports Commission.

Francis holds a B.S. from Brigham Young University, an M.S.W. from the University of Houston, and an MBA from Utah State University. He is also trained and certified in Conflict Mediation.

A results-driven executive and public servant, Francis brings strategic leadership and a passion for community growth to his role as a Snow College Trustee.

Gayle L. Pollock is the president and CEO of the Bryce Canyon Association, supporting education, research, and conservation at Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest. With 30 years of service, he has championed educational opportunities for rural Utah students through internships, research programs, and scholarships.

He played a key role in establishing the Alliance for Education with Southern Utah University in 2006, expanding partnerships between academia and national parks. Previously, he conducted paleontology research with the U.S. Geological Survey and worked as a consultant for the U.S. Public Health Service.

Gayle has provided executive leadership on a variety of boards, including as chair of the SUU Board of Trustees. He holds a bachelor's of science degree in geology, master's degree, and doctorate of public administration/service. A volunteer firefighter and rescue team member, he lives in Tropic, Utah, with his wife, Marie.

Jeffrey Kahn is a distinguished entrepreneur and dedicated community leader with a lifelong commitment to education and public service. He holds a B.A. (1965) and M.A. (1966) from Brigham Young University and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 1976.

A longtime advocate for community engagement, Jeffrey has served in numerous leadership roles, including positions with the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce, Provo City Library Board, Utah Valley University Board of Trustees, and America’s Freedom Foundation. His extensive contributions span the fields of business, education, the arts, and veterans’ success initiatives.

In addition to his service as a Snow College Trustee, Jeffrey is an Adjunct Professor at both Utah Valley University and Snow College, where he continues to mentor and inspire students.

Jeffrey resides in Provo, Utah, with his wife, Charleen. They enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Snow College alumnus Derek White is a technology and innovation leader with over 20 years of experience shaping the future of financial services. As Chief Executive Officer of Galileo Financial Technologies, he drives growth and cutting-edge user experiences in fintech.

Before joining Galileo in 2021, Derek was Vice President of Global Financial Services at Google Cloud, helping banks, insurers, and fintechs transition to digital-first operations. He previously held leadership roles at U.S. Bank, BBVA, and Barclays, where he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives. Additionally, he served as a technology ambassador for London, promoting the U.K. market as a fintech capital.

Beyond fintech, Derek is passionate about ecosystem building and fostering innovation. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. He lives in Utah with his wife and their four children. As a Snow College Trustee, he brings valuable expertise to support education and technology-driven growth.