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Sean D. Reyes
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General Reyes Named Member of Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership

Participates in First of Three Leadership & Education Seminars

SALT LAKE CITY – Jan. 22, 2016 – The Office of the Utah Attorney General today announced that Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes has been named a member of the Aspen-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership class of 2015. The Rodel Fellowship program is open by invitation only to individuals in publicly elected office.  Selected annually, each class consists of 24 Fellows identified by program leadership as America’s emerging political leaders with reputations for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to civil dialogue. During the 18-24 month Fellowship, Attorney General Reyes will attend three seminars in the U.S. paid for by the Rodel Foundations and Aspen Institute, all non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. AG Reyes is currently attending the first seminar “Political Leadership and the Principles of Western Democracy.”

“It is an honor to be recognized as a Rodel Fellow from the Aspen Institute,” said Attorney General Reyes. “I greatly appreciate this opportunity to sit down with leaders from both sides of the aisle to address national and global policy issues and find common ground as we work together to build a stronger America.”

The Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship program recognizes that by working to develop thoughtful, committed political leaders, it will also help to produce a more bipartisan approach to America’s most important domestic issues.  While Fellows are all elected, the Rodel Fellowship is not a political program but an educational and leadership training program based on the belief that exposing participants to a variety of philosophies, viewpoints, and strategies, will improve the quality of problem-solving in states and in local communities.

“These men and women represent the very best among the new generation of America’s political leadership,” former Congressman Mickey Edwards, the program’s director, said in a press release announcing the new class. “They have each won the notice and praise of their constituents and their colleagues and have shown a dedication to public service that is an encouraging sign in a time of great challenge. There are now some 200 Rodel Fellows, at all levels of government, working to ensure that Americans receive thoughtful and responsive leadership. We are very proud to have these outstanding leaders join their ranks.”

Members of the eleventh class of Rodel Fellows include Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush; Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Kevin Cotter; Assistant Majority Whip of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Jon Echols; Jenny Eck; Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs; Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea; Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Walt Leger; Speaker Pro Tem of the Colorado House of Representatives, Dan Pabon; Speaker Pro Tem of the Oregon House of Representatives, Tobias Read; Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Dave Reed; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf; and others.

Participation and Funding Participation

The Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership is a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for men and women, ideally under age 50, holding elective office at the state, local, or federal level. The Rodel Fellowship program provides an opportunity for our country’s young leaders to analyze and discuss historical texts and contemporary commentaries on topics such as democracy and leadership. Political neutrality is essential to the educational mission of the program and there is no identification with any political or party viewpoint and no endorsement of legislation. No lobbyists, staff members, or outside observers are permitted to attend fellowship programs. Fellows must be nominated to be considered for participation.

The Aspen-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership are funded solely by the Rodel Foundation. Funding is not accepted from lobbyists, governments, corporations, or special interests.

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