First, he was named Manager of the Year at the 2022 Mine Safety & Health Conference, and now another honor for Simplot’s Vernal Mine Manger Jared Jackson: He was recently named 2023 Total Citizen of the Year at the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce 74th Annual Meeting. He was also honored with the Chamber’s Quarterly Outstanding Public Service Award in January 2023.
A Simplot employee since 2008, Jackson took on his current role as Vernal Mine Manager in 2018. He is also a board member and vice president of the Utah Mining Association and has a decades-long professional background in the industry.
Jackson’s passion for people is evident not just in his work at Simplot, but through his support of his community. He joined the Vernal Chamber Board in 2018 and has served as the Chamber President since 2021. He also serves on the Founders Board for the Center for Entrepreneurship at Utah State University (USU) Uintah Basin. Of note, Jackson is a Ute by education: He earned a Master of Engineering from the school.
Jackson says one of the things he enjoys most about his role as Mine Manager for Simplot is being able to represent the Company while serving the community. In the Vernal area, as in other places where Simplot does business, the Company donates to events and fundraisers throughout the year in support of our Core Value of Passion for People. Some of Jackson’s favorite Vernal-area events to support with the Company include:
- Cooking and sharing thousands of pounds of free Simplot fries at the Vernal Holly Days Festival, which kicks off the holiday season each year
- The Simplot Product Sale and resulting contributions to Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley and United Way
- Sponsorship of the Uintah High School Track Team to travel to the Simplot Games
- Volunteering at the Simplot Games
- Working with all the great schools in the area from USU and Uintah Basin Technical College, as well as volunteering in grade, middle and high schools in the area
“I feel very fortunate to live and work in the Uintah Basin and appreciate how well the community supports Simplot and all the other great businesses in our area,” Jackson said. “I'm so very humbled and grateful to the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce for recognizing me. There are so many wonderful people in this community that would deserve this recognition more than me, but I really appreciate the Vernal Chamber for all they do in the community,” he added. “Congratulations to everyone that was recognized at the annual meeting!"
Simplot’s Vernal Mine (above) is a phosphate ore mine north of Vernal, Utah. Ore from this facility is used at other Simplot facilities to manufacture fertilizer that contributes to feeding our world.
