PI Candidate Spotlight: Bev Uipi

Bev Uipi is a true product of Millcreek. Raised in the community, she attended public schools and graduated from Skyline High School, where she was a standout athlete and student.  She fell in love with community collaboration and policy making by watching her father, Phil Uipi, become the first Tongan-American to serve in the Utah State Legislature —a position he held for two terms. As a teenager, Bev was recruited to be on the Junior National Volleyball training team at age 14.  She attended the University of Georgia on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a degree in consumer economics and housing. Later, she earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Utah.  Bev’s professional life has bridged both the private and public sectors. She worked for the family business, Uipi Investment Company, as well as for insurance firms. In 2006, she became an advisor to Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon on the county’s Council on Diversity Affairs.  As a member of Corroon’s team, Bev’s role was to address issues affecting the Pacific Islander communities of Salt Lake County. Corroon later appointed her to his administration’s community relations team, a job that entailed visiting with constituents across all of unincorporated Salt Lake County.  Bev is currently the senior center manager at the Millcreek Community Center. Outside of her professional endeavors, she is a frequent community volunteer. Bev and her 12-year- old son, Xane, reside in their home in East Millcreek.

 

Top guiding principles

1. Servant Leadership – In order to lead, I believe in serving first. I don’t expect anything from employees and volunteers I haven’t done myself in service.
2. Transparency – I believe in having open discussions with residents to prioritize, educate and explain policy and community decisions along the way so nothing comes as a surprise to constituents.
3. Family  – There is a space and place for everyone in the family unit as part of a village. It is up to leaders to understand these characteristics, and appropriately discuss, plan and execute how best to meet those needs.

 

Top four platform issues

1. Community – Creating a place where needs of all ages are considered, and reciprocated through service.
2. Seniors – Taking care of the highest populated senior area in the city because they are the foundation of creating a community from which we all benefit. Many, not just seniors, are on a fixed income.
3. Economic Development – Maximizing business opportunities, while attracting business. Promoting buying local in Millcreek because it diversifies and alleviates the city’s tax base.
4. Appropriate Land Use – Planning and zoning concerns, business licensing, appropriately preserving a community’s integrity with housing and permits.

 

Contact information

Email: votebevuipi@gmail.com
Website: www.bev4millcreek.com
Facebook, IG, Twitter: bev4millcreek

 

UPICEC is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates running for office.  UPICEC does encourage, support, and highlight members of the Pacific Islander community who wish to become leaders in their communities.