Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has accepted the resignation of Russell Skousen, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce.

The announcement comes just six months after Skousen took charge of the department, which encompasses six state agencies, including those that oversee public utilities, housing issues and professional licensing. The department employs 260.

Skousen's resignation will be effective Aug. 15. Francine Giani, who has been serving as the director of the Division of Consumer Protection, was named as the new executive director of the department.

Skousen said his departure was based on financial reasons.

Skousen said his starting salary was $88,400 a year. That bumped up to $90,000 last week. He plans to return to private law practice.

"The financial aspect was a concern coming in that I expressed before I accepted the job," Skousen said Wednesday. "A strong effort was made in the Legislature to try to get that rectified. I was still going to try to make it work, even if that didn't happen, but it just hasn't been feasible. I did take a pretty healthy cut when I came here."

"It's the lowest paid Cabinet position," he said. "The Department of Commerce essentially touches every facet of our lives at least once and probably many times. I'm sad. I'm not mad at the Legislature for taking their time. Once it gets reviewed, it will be beneficial for whoever has this position in the future."

Skousen said Cabinet salaries are being reviewed by the executive and judicial compensation commission, which is deciding whether to put all Cabinet members on the same pay scale. That decision could take a year or longer to resolve.

During his brief term, Skousen came under public criticism in March after the firing of Roger Ball, executive director of the Committee of Consumer Services utility watchdog group.

Skousen said that controversy had nothing to do with his departure.

Giani will continue to serve as the director of Division of Consumer Protection, a post she has held since 1992.

"I have been very comfortable where I am, but when Russ' resignation came before the governor, the governor then asked me if I would be willing to do this," Giani said. "I serve at his pleasure, and I'm happy to assist him in any way that I can."

---

E-mail: danderton@desnews.com