By Justin Adams | [email protected]

The Holladay City Council found itself one member short earlier this year when long-time member Lynn Pace stepped down before the end of his last term. After multiple replacement candidates were interviewed by the mayor and city council, William Brett Graham was selected to be the new representative for District 2.

Graham grew up just down the road from Holladay City Hall on Keller Lane in Millcreek. He attended Olympus High School, where he graduated in 1989. Graham attended the University of Utah where he received both his bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in public administration. He also attained a second master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School. 

Graham has spent his career in the medical field and currently is the chief strategy officer for Leavitt Partners, a local healthcare advisory firm. 

He and his wife, Sarah, have five kids who span from elementary to college age. 

Graham was initially contacted by Pace himself, who encouraged him to apply for his seat. 

“I’ve long been interested in civic issues and the process of public decision-making,” said Graham about his decision to go through the application process.

Graham also said he was impressed by both the number and quality of applicants who were willing to step up the plate and represent District 2. In the end, Graham was appointed to be the replacement.

“I’m happy to have the opportunity to serve the city of Holladay and gratified that they feel I have something to offer,” he told the Holladay Journal. 

Graham said he’s taking the new position very seriously, and pointed out that local government is often the level of government that actually has the most impact on residents.

“Issues like zoning, street conditions and public safety are sometimes taken for granted, but they’re really important and have a big impact on people’s daily lives,” he said.

One such issue he looks forward to working on is infrastructure. 

“Holladay is approaching the end of its second decade as a city and there are a lot of infrastructure needs that need to be dealt with,” he said. “I want to be a part of making sure that we get the most out of our investments and that we make effective and efficient decisions.”

When it comes time to weigh in on controversial issues, residents can expect Graham to use a balanced approach. In the case of the Holladay Quarter development approval (which happened before he joined the council), Graham said it’s important to remember that Holladay isn’t as divided as it may seem.

“It’s easy to take that issue and say that people are either for it or against it,” he said. “When I look into it, that’s not what I see. I view that issue through a lens where all the options exist on a spectrum.”

Residents of Holladay’s second district can reach Graham at [email protected].