Press Release

Steven Burge Appointed Director of Western Energy Training Center

May 2006

Burge assumes his new post immediately, managing the curriculum, faculty and former Willow Creek coal facility in Helper. WETC was created earlier this spring through a $2.7 million Department of Labor Grant, which was supplemented by an appropriation of $1.1 million from the Utah legislature. The monies resulted from a collaborative effort between the College of Eastern Utah, Southeast Applied Technology College, Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, the Southeastern Utah Energy Producers Association (SEUEPA) and participants from the energy industry.

"The Western Energy Training Center Board of Directors is pleased that Steve Burge has accepted the Directorship position," said Sam Quigley, President, WETC Board of Directors. "Steve was instrumental in helping the College of Eastern Utah receive both the Federal Grant and the State appropriation. He brings to this position his personal dedication to education and a commitment to professionalism. He also understands the importance of a cohesive partnership between industry and education that will be necessary to make WETC a world class training facility."

"I appreciate being given this unique opportunity to be part of a team that is, in essence, building an educational institute from the ground up," said Burge. "The WETC Board is made up of dedicated individuals from industry, education, and government. We are all committed to creating a top-notch training program that will help satisfy the increasing training needs of the area and help create the well-paying, year-round job opportunities that are needed throughout rural Utah."

Steven Burge

"Energy independence for America will require us to develop every source at our disposal," said Sam Quigley of SEUEPA, who serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Center. "The role this center can make to that effort was instantly recognized by our federal representatives Senators Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett and our Congressman Jim Matheson, all of whom helped us navigate the appropriate federal channels for support." Quigley also cited State Senator Mike Dmitrich, State Representatives Brad King and Patrick Painter and Carbon County Commissioners Bill Krompel, Mike Milovich and Steve Burge as advocated for the effort. "We were able to generate support at every level," he said. "That sort of federal, state, local and bipartisan support suggests to me that the potential of the Center is great and apparent."

Burge is a Carbon County Native. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class from both Carbon High School and the College of Eastern Utah. After graduating summa cum laude with a BA from the University of Utah, he also received a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah School of Law.

While practicing law in Price, Burge began teaching criminal justice at the College of Eastern Utah and served as the Director of the Criminal Justice program for six years. Burge is currently serving as a Carbon County Commissioner. He and his wife, Denette, have four children.

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