Director of Operational Efficiencies
spgehrke@utah.gov
O: (801) 538-1390
Steve Gehrke joined the Governor's Office of Planning & Budget in 2024, with nearly 15 years in various senior communications, operational excellence, administrative services, and advisory roles with the Utah Department of Corrections. He particularly enjoyed engineering a collaborative approach to Corrections by chairing a coalition of advocacy groups, formerly incarcerated people, local and state governmental agencies, volunteers, and non-profit organizations.
As Director of Operational Efficiencies, he and GOPB's Results Management team work with state agencies to drive continual improvements and strive to serve Utahns better. This includes improving systems and processes, establishing performance metrics and outcome measures, and sharing success stories about the real-world impacts of efficiency work.
Steve is also a former newspaper journalist. He covered government and criminal justice with The Salt Lake Tribune, interned as a D.C. correspondent with the London Daily Telegraph, and was editor-in-chief of the student-run Daily Utah Chronicle at the University of Utah. While at the U, Steve earned bachelor's degrees in communication and political science. He minored in international studies and middle east studies. He later returned to the U and completed a Master's of Public Administration degree. In his free time, Steve enjoys spending time with his sons, writing, exercising, and coaching various sports.