Leigh von der Esch was appointed the managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism in May of 2005 by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Since 1985, von der Esch has served as director of the Utah Film Commission. She was president of the Association of Film Commissioners International from 1990-1996. In her new role, von der Esch will continue to oversee the Utah Film Commission. She has been serving as deputy director of the Division of Travel Development since last July.
Before joining the state, von der Esch was the executive director of the Office of the Salt Lake City Council from 1980-1985. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Utah with honors and studied public administration at the University of Colorado and alternative dispute resolution at Pepperdine University Law School. She was recently honored as one of the “30 Women to Watch” in Utah by Utah Business Magazine and the Salt Lake Chamber.