Democratic Party in Utah hires director

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Democratic Party is hiring a new executive director to manage its daily operations.

Chairman Jim Dabakis says Matt Lyon will take over the position immediately.

Lyon was the campaign manager for Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker until he was named executive director. He also was the deputy campaign manager in 2010 for the gubernatorial campaign of Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

Lyon was the president of the Young Democrats of Utah from 2005 to 2008.

Former executive director Todd Taylor will continue to work for the party as a senior political and strategic advisor.

Taylor had been the party's executive director for a total of 17 years.