• Born Dec. 7, 1950, in Delta

• Married to Kristina Christensen

• Three children, two stepchildren, two grandchildren

Education

• B.S. in management and finance, Brigham Young University, 1975

• J.D., University of Puget Sound, 1978

Career

• Private law practice, specializing in real estate and natural-resources law, 1978-88

• Partner in ranching operation, early 1980s

• Land development in Salt Lake City and Park City, 1980s-present

• Co-owner, Wind River Petroleum, which owns 31 Top Stop convenience stores in Utah and Idaho, since 1988

• Owner, Christensen Industries, an aircraft parts manufacturer in Salt Lake City, 1990-present

Politics

• Salt Lake City councilman, 1993-2002, including two years as council chairman and two years as Redevelopment Agency chairman

• Appointed by governor as trustee for 2002 Olympic Winter Games, 1996

Community service

• Chairman of the Utah Air Travel Commission, 1993-99; and Salt Lake Department of Airports Authority Board, 2006

• Chairman of Essential Air Services subcommittee, 1992-93

• Chairman of International Air Routes subcommittee, 1994-99

• Member of the Utah Nature Conservancy Board, 2005-present; Equality Utah, 2006-present; and the University of Utah Health Sciences Advocates, 2005-present

• Honored by YWCA in October 2000 for work on behalf of Salt Lake-area women and children

• Sponsors a yearly charitable golf tournament through his business to raise money for Primary Children's Medical Center

• Past president of the Ute Football Conference youth football organization and coached for 10 years.