Jefferson Moss

Jefferson Moss is a seasoned leader in Utah's innovation and economic development landscape. Appointed in May 2025 by Governor Spencer Cox, he serves as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), where he oversees the state's economic development strategies and initiatives.

Prior to this role, Moss was the Associate Commissioner for Innovation and Commercialization at the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). In this capacity, he mobilized Utah’s research institutions and capital networks to accelerate market-ready solutions. He also leads the Utah Innovation Fund, supporting early-stage companies emerging from the state's colleges and universities. His efforts have expanded access to venture capital, strengthened Utah’s commercialization infrastructure, and driven forward-thinking public policy through the Nucleus Institute, an entity designed to address the pressing need for a more connected approach to workforce development, innovation, and commercialization.

Moss's public service includes his tenure in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served from 2017 until his resignation in May 2025 to assume his current role at GOEO. During his legislative service, he held the position of House Majority Leader and was an active member of key committees, including the Executive Appropriations Committee, House Education Committee, and the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

His professional background encompasses roles as Associate Vice President of Central Advancement at Utah Valley University (UVU) and Chief Operating Officer for the UVU Foundation. In these positions, he launched the UVU Wolverine Fund, a student-run venture capital fund, and the Excellence and Innovation Initiative. Before his tenure at UVU, Moss served as a wealth strategist at Key Bank and Credit Suisse and launched several successful businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University.