Ruth Ann Jefferies Honored as 2014 Wright Distinguished Alumnus

PROVO, Utah – Dec 05, 2014 – The Brigham Young University Romney Institute of Public Management named Ruth Ann Jefferies, a property tax specialist at the Utah State Tax Commission, the 2014 N. Dale Wright Alumnus of the Year. The award is presented annually to an alumnus who has demonstrated extraordinary service professionally and in the community.

“It was very easy for us to recognize Ruth Ann, both in terms of her successful career and her outstanding character,” says Rex Facer, associate professor of public finance and management and co-chair of the awards committee. “I hope students can learn from her passion and her commitment to doing good.”

Jefferies, who received her MPA from BYU in 1971, was voted by the Romney Institute Awards Committee as this year’s winner in recognition for her work in the public sector dealing with taxes and federal funds. Jefferies has worked for the Utah State Tax Commission for more than 20 years, including the past 15 years specializing in property tax. During that time she has managed the staff that set the property tax rate and worked with the state legislature to amend and improve property tax statutes. Throughout her career Jefferies’ goal has been to protect taxpayers by creating fair tax policies and increasing the transparency of the tax process.

“Property tax is complicated, and there’s a lot involved,” she says. “I work with the legislature to clarify various aspects of the tax so people can understand. It’s rewarding to explain complex things in a simple manner.”

Dale Wright, the namesake of the award and one of Jefferies’ BYU professors, presented Jefferies with a painting at a luncheon held in her honor. He congratulated her for her career success and thanked her for her example.

“One of the best things about teaching is to see someone like Ruth Ann accomplish so much and turn out to be such a good person who makes a difference in others’ lives,” Wright says.

Jefferies received her bachelor’s degree from BYU in political science, business and history. She began her career in the public sector at the United States Agency for International Development and later worked at the University of Utah. Jefferies enrolled in the BYU MPA program in 1969 and was the first woman to receive an MPA degree from BYU. After receiving her degree she was the associate state planning coordinator in the Utah governor’s office where she organized, implemented and directed the Utah State Federal Assistance Management Program.

Jefferies says she was humbled to be named this year’s distinguished alumnus.

“I was astounded when I found out that I would receive the award,” she says. “I’m at the end of my public service career, and this was the frosting on the cake.”

The Romney Institute of Public Management, part of the Marriott School’s Master of Public Administration program, was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. A part of the Brigham Young University’s Marriott School, the Romney Institute offers a master’s degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and not-for-profit institutions. Brigham Young University is the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States.