Utah Emerging Leaders Forum

Founders & leadership

Built by people willing to do the work.

The forum is in its founding season. Its leadership model pairs clear responsibility with counsel from experienced public servants, educators, and civic builders.

Seth A. VillagomezPresident · Founder · MMXXVI

President & Founder

Seth A. Villagomez

Seth A. Villagomez serves as an infantry sergeant (0311) and squad leader in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He graduated summa cum laude from Utah Valley University with a bachelor's degree in National Security Studies and a minor in Chinese Studies. He served in the Berlin, Germany Mission with a Mandarin Chinese-speaking assignment and speaks German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese. An Eagle Scout and alumnus of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, he later completed a year-long deployment to the Pacific and participated in Exercise Formosa in Brazil in 2026, the Brazilian Marine Corps' annual multinational field training exercise. These experiences shaped his conviction that leadership must unite moral character, practical competence, and a genuine sense of duty. Looking ahead, he hopes to commission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and eventually pursue graduate degrees in law and foreign affairs. After completing those studies, he hopes to continue a career in public service, bringing a commitment to duty, international understanding, and principled leadership to the institutions and communities he serves.

Seth is a firm believer in statesmanship: public leadership grounded in character, prudence, civic friendship, and a willingness to place the common good above personal ambition or partisan advantage. He established the Forum to give Utah's emerging leaders the kind of serious civic community that is often difficult to find—thoughtful, demanding, nonpartisan, and rooted in service.

View full founder profile
Thomas E. Durham Jr.Vice President · Cofounder · MMXXVI

Vice President & Cofounder

Thomas E. Durham Jr.

Thomas E. Durham Jr. (Tom) is a Marine Corps veteran who served as an infantry sergeant (0311) and graduated cum laude in National Security Studies. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security through American University and hopes to commission soon as an officer in the United States Army.

An Eagle Scout with a longstanding commitment to community service, Tom founded a dance-based outreach program in college that supported anti human-trafficking efforts and directed a Boys & Girls Club site providing after-school opportunities for local youth. His experiences have reinforced his belief that strong communities are built through service, mentorship, and meaningful relationships. He helped establish the Forum to bring together like-minded emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities and investing in the next generation.

View full profile
Spencer D. Barker, Secretary and Director of Chapters, Membership and EngagementSecretary · Director · MMXXVI

Secretary & Director of Chapters, Membership & Engagement

Spencer D. Barker

A lifelong Utahn, born in Provo and raised in Millcreek, Spencer D. Barker is committed to the strength of local communities and the principle that sound leadership is essential to public trust and safety. His career in local and federal public safety, as a Police Dispatcher, Public Safety Telecommunicator, and Transportation Security Officer, has shown him the lasting value of principled leadership. Two years of full-time missionary service in Fort Worth, Texas, and Berlin, Germany, strengthened his ability to build relationships across diverse communities.

Spencer holds an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice and is completing a Bachelor of Science at Utah Valley University, with minors in Homeland Security and National Security Studies. He is a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher and holds multiple FEMA certifications in emergency management. He is dedicated to the growth of this forum due to its importance in cultivating the next generation of leaders in Utah and the United States.

View full profile
Benjamin Preece, Treasurer and Director of OutreachTreasurer · Director of Outreach · MMXXVI

Treasurer & Director of Outreach

Benjamin Preece

Benjamin Preece is a Political Science student at Utah Valley University, emphasizing Public Administration, with a passion for public service, economic development, and community leadership. Originally from Oceanside, California, Benjamin earned an Associate of Arts in History from MiraCosta College, where he also competed as a collegiate golfer, before continuing his athletic career for a season at Southern Virginia University and ultimately shifting his focus toward professional development. His experience includes serving as a Congressional Intern for U.S. Representative Burgess Owens, a writer and research intern for the Doers Network, and a Brand Ambassador for the American Conservation Coalition.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Benjamin served a full-time mission in Spokane, Washington, and has held various Church callings centered on leadership and service. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, he is an avid golfer and surfer who enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He aspires to build a career in public administration, government relations, and economic development while making a meaningful impact in the communities he serves.

View full profile
Erik Nystul, Director of Media, Communications and MarketingMedia · Communications · Marketing · MMXXVI

Director of Media, Communications & Marketing

Erik Nystul

Erik Nystul is committed to helping emerging leaders of every age and background identify and pursue their next opportunity. As Director of the Government Internship Program at Utah Valley University’s Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy, he works directly with staff in the offices of Utah’s United States Senate and House delegation and regularly partners with federal agencies—including the United States Department of State and the United States Secret Service—to open doors for the next generation of leaders. Under his leadership, Utah Valley University has sent a record number of legislative interns to the Utah State Capitol.

Erik holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a certificate in National Security Studies and is completing a Master of Public Administration. He also serves as an adjunct professor of Communication and Political Science. His professional training, classroom experience, and extensive network across government and public service shape his ability to communicate UELF’s mission and connect emerging leaders with consequential opportunities.

View full profile
Tyler Lamb, Director of Development and PartnershipsDevelopment · Partnerships · MMXXVI

Director of Development & Partnerships

Tyler Lamb

Tyler Lamb is a military intelligence professional, civic leadership advocate, and sergeant in the Utah Army National Guard, where he serves as an instructor helping train and develop the next generation of military intelligence professionals. In civilian life, he has held leadership and management roles supporting the Department of Defense, gaining experience in organizational development, personnel management, and strategic planning. A graduate of Utah Valley University’s Intelligence Studies program, he is continuing his education in National Security Studies.

Tyler’s commitment to public service extends beyond uniformed service. He has served as a state delegate and shadowed Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz—experiences that deepened his appreciation for civic engagement, responsible leadership, and individual stewardship of the common good. A husband and father, he joined UELF to build enduring partnerships, connect emerging leaders with opportunities to serve, and encourage young Utahns to invest in something larger than themselves. He believes strong communities are built by people willing to step forward, take responsibility, and make a meaningful difference.

View full profile

The founding team

Additional founding leaders and advisers will be added here as their roles are formally established.

Leadership council

The founding team is taking shape.

These roles are intentionally open to people ready to assume real responsibility.

Director of Programs

Founding appointment

Open

The founding season

Help shape an institution
built to outlast us.

Join the founding circle