Businessman to take over for Huntsman Jr.

Salt Lake businessman Charles E. Johnson has been named president of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and vice president of Huntsman Corp., replacing Jon Huntsman Jr., who is leaving the company to become deputy U.S. trade representative for the Bush administration.

Johnson, a certified public accountant by training, is currently vice chairman of the Garff-Warner Organization, which owns and operates a group of auto franchises in Utah. His appointment becomes effective April 16, said spokesman Don H. Olsen.

Johnson said joining the Huntsman organization is a tremendous career opportunity.

"One cannot overstate the importance of the work of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and Huntsman Cancer Institute, and I could not be more pleased with the challenge and opportunity to play a role in their success," Johnson said in a prepared statement issued Wednesday.

He also is chairman of the Board of Regents for the nine universities and colleges in the Utah System of Higher Education and is a former chief of staff to Gov. Mike Leavitt. Olsen said it is his understanding that Johnson will remain as chairman of the regents after joining Huntsman.

As president of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, Johnson will direct efforts that Huntsman Corp. said are "critical to the success of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, including interface with government officials, relationships with other cancer research and treatment facilities, and initiatives relating to funding of the institute."

Founder and chairman Jon M. Huntsman said Johnson is one of the Intermountain Region's most successful and accomplished business executives.

"His expertise and proven leadership abilities will be invaluable to the work of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Further, his experience in matters of finance and government relations will be of great benefit to Huntsman Corp.," Huntsman said.

Huntsman Corp. is the world's largest privately held chemical company.

Huntsman Jr. , 41, has served as the institute's first president since 1995. He still must be approved by the Senate for his new post, which carries the rank of ambassador. He is slated to oversee trade in Asia.

The U.S. Trade Representative's Office is part of the Executive Office of the President and is headed by U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick. The office coordinates trade issues for the president and makes policy recommendations.

Huntsman Jr. was the U.S. ambassador to Singapore in 1992 and 1993. He also was deputy assistant secretary of commerce from 1989 to 1992.

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