David Nephi Zook
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2025) |
David Nephi Zook | |
|---|---|
| Cache County Executive | |
| Assumed office Jan 3, 2023 | |
| Deputy | Dirk Anderson |
| Preceded by | Craig Buttars |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Nephi Zook May 1, 1976 Southern California |
| Spouse | Andrea |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | Azusa Pacific University (BS) Southern Utah University (MPA) |
David Nephi Zook is a public administrator and elected official, elected as Cache County, Utah's Executive/Surveyor/CEO in 2021.[1][2] Zook has a history in public administration. He held a variety of positions in San Bernadino County, California (1997-2012), including Chief of Staff,[3][2] served as the City Manager of Nibley, Utah (2012-2021),[3] and taught master level courses in public administration at Southern Utah University.[2]
Education
[edit]Zook earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, where he graduated magna cum laude and was unanimously selected by peers as the top student of the class. He went on to receive two certificates in economic development from Western New Mexico University and Utah Valley University. In the following years, Zook graduated from Southern Utah University with a Master of Public Administration with a 4.0 GPA. During a portion of this period he studied abroad in Europe, where he met with government, education, and NGO leaders and researched a variety of government and higher-ed policies related to economics, environmental stewardship, healthcare, community planning, criminal justice, and redevelopment.[2][4]
Career
[edit]Public administration
[edit]Zook worked for the County of San Bernardino, California form 1997 to 2012. He held a variety of positions, including Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Chief Analyst, Business Resource Specialist, and Child Support Officer.[2] In 2012, Zook took over as the City Manager of Nibley, Utah. Among other projects, Zook secured funding for and oversaw the construction of Firefly Nature Park.[5] Zook left his post as Nibley City Manager upon his election as Cache County Executive/Surveyor/CEO in 2021.
County executive
[edit]Zook was elected Cache County Executive through a special election in 2021, having secured 53% of votes cast.[6] As County Executive, Zook served as chief executive officer, budget officer, led a dozen department heads, and represented the county during legislative sessions.[2] Zook's job description also included: ensuring compliance with applicable laws and county ordinances, supervising and coordinating all departments of county government, conducting planning studies and advising the council, and exercising veto power over ordinances passed by the County Council.[7]
Zook was reelected in 2022 with 57% of the vote.[8]
During his two terms as County Executive, Zook focused on economic development, public safety, housing, mental health, and open space preservation.
County surveyor
[edit]As Cache County Surveyor, Zook's responsibilities included overseeing all surveying work for the county. Surveying work is kept in accordance with the United States Manual of Surveying Instructions.[2]
Political positions
[edit]Public safety and infrastructure
[edit]As County Executive, Zook pushed for a variety of public safety and infrastructure projects.
Zook worked with state legislators and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to advocate for the installation of cell towers in Logan Canyon, citing the importance of having service in case of car accidents and other emergencies. In support of this project, Zook stated, "There’s a thing called the golden hour, that if you can get somebody to emergency medical care within an hour after a traumatic accident, that their chances of survival go way up." Phase two of the project began in the summer of 2023.[9]
Economic development
[edit]In 2017, Zook founded the Cache Valley Economic Development Alliance (CVEDA) while serving as chairman of the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce. CVEDA was a precursor to the Cache County economic opportunity board, on which Zook was a founding member.[10] One of his key accomplishments was expanding the county's economic development program into a regional 3-county economic development agency.[11]
Open space
[edit]In 2019, Zook formed a citizen group to make another attempt at passing the open space preservation initiative originally proposed in 2008.[12] The initiative aimed to establish a $20 million bond "for purchasing land and conservation easements from willing landowners in order to protect scenic vistas, preserve open lands near valley gateways, add trails and trail connectivity, and maintain agriculture, waterways, and wildlife habitats."[13] The $20 million dollar bond was put on the ballot in 2022 and passed with 54.61% of voters supporting the bill.[14][8]
The first major preservation project Zook spearheaded was purchased on April 25, 2025, when Cache County reached an agreement to acquire 471 acres of open space from Bridal Path Partners, LLC, and preserve 300 more of their acres as "privately owned open space." "The agreement also gives Cache County the right of first refusal to acquire an adjacent 18-acre parcel currently owned by the Utah Department of Transportation. The funds used to purchase involved land include approximately $4 million from the voter-approved Cache County Open Space Bond; a $2 million grant from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation; $1 million from Wellsville City; and $500,000 from a private donor."[15]
Mental health
[edit]Zook has advocated for increased mental health services in Cache County. Shortly after taking office in 2022, he began working with the Suicide Prevention Coalition overseen by the Bear River Health Department. He also served on the board of directors for Bear River Mental Health. Later that year, Bear River Mental Health established Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) and the 988 program, two services that provide emergency assistance for those going through mental health crises.[16]
Zook began advocating for the establishment of a mental health receiving center in 2022.[17] In the 2023 legislative session, funding was secured to construct a receiving center in Cache County.[18] That same year, following recommendation to the Logan Municipal Council by the County Planning Commission, property in Logan was rezoned for the Bear River Mental Health Crisis Receiving Center.[19][20]
Recreation
[edit]In 2024, Zook supported the allocation of $75,000 of county funds for a feasibility study of a new indoor recreation facility. Regarding the facility Zook stated, "Cache County has one of the youngest populations in the nation. We have a lot of kids and they deserve to have access to recreational opportunities."[21]
Housing
[edit]As part of his economic development efforts, Zook advocated for increased access to housing to support the workforce and allow young families to live and work in Cache County.[22][23]
Zook formed a 50-member housing task force in March 2022 to study the housing crisis in Cache County and devise potential solutions. The group recommended limiting zoning decisions by voter referendum, coordination between counties and cities to plan for growth, and increased public education primarily directed towards young potential homeowners.[22]
In his appearance on Utah Public Radio in 2022, Zook listed concern about growth, new housing types, how new housing will affect the existing community, and interstate immigration as among the most prevalent talking points from constituents. However, Zook claims, the data suggests that much of the growth in the valley (more than 80%) comes from internal growth/childbirth. Interstate immigration makes up a small portion of the growth. Zook suggests that growth can be cultivated and directed to mitigate negative effects and strengthen positive ones.[23]
Poverty and welfare
[edit]Zook served on the Bear River Homeless Council, a group of 20 organizations that works together to discuss issues related to homelessness,[24] and has advocated for state funding for assisting the homeless.
In 2022, he expressed his hope that Governor Spencer Cox sign House Bill 440, a bill designed to reduce financial stress on homeless services and shelters by providing $5,800,000 in loan repayment assistance and an additional $5,000,000 to municipalities. CAPSA, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter for abuse victims, qualified Cache County for this assistance. The bill was signed by Governor Cox on March 24, 2022.[25][26]
| Organization | Position |
|---|---|
| The Family Place Board of Directors | Board Member/Past President |
| Logan-Cache Airport Authority | Chairman/Governing Board Member |
| Cache Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors | Board/Past-Chairman |
| Cache Fire District | Chairman |
| Utah Local Governments Trust | Vice Chairman/Governing Board Member |
| Cache Open Space Committee | Founder |
| Bear River Health Department | Vice Chairman/Governing Board Member |
| Bear River Mental Health | Board of Directors |
| Cache County Council of Governments | Executive Board Member |
| Hyde Park City Planning Commission | Planning Commissioner |
| Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization | Executive Board Member |
| Bear River Local Homeless Council | Member/Past-Chairman |
| Logan Lions Club | Member/Two-term Past President |
| Cache County Fairgrounds Board | Chairman |
| Bear River Association of Governments | Governing Board Member |
| Cache Valley Economic Development Alliance | Founding Chairman |
| Cache Waste Consortium | Executive Board Member |
Awards and honors
[edit]The award was presented to Zook and Nibley's Treasurer Michelle Jensen on April 11, 2019.[28]
ICMA - Credentialed Manager
[edit]In 2019, Zook was designated a Credentialed Manager for his work as the Nibley City Manager.[29]
Personal life
[edit]Zook was raised by parents who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but became an atheist in his teens. In his mid 20s, he returned to the church and continues as an active member. He was interviewed on UPR's StoryCorps about his faith journey.[30]
References
[edit]- ^ Webb, Kat (Jan 30, 2021). "Nibley City Manager David Zook to serve remainder of Cache County executive term". Herald Journal News. p. 1. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h Zook, David. "David N. Zook, MPA, ICMA-CM - Education". LinkedIn. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Writer, Natasha Lindstrom, Staff. "Mitzelfelt's chief of staff leaves for city manager post". Victorville Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Schill, Charlie (2021-02-03). "David Zook takes the helm as Cache County Executive". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ Bowen, Megan (2019-06-28). "Firefly Park brings nature preservation and education together". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ writer, By Kat Webb staff (2021-01-30). "Nibley City Manager David Zook to serve remainder of Cache County executive term". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ "Official Site of Cache County, Utah - Executive Office". www.cachecounty.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ a b "2022 General Official Results - Election Summary Report" (PDF). Official Site of Cache County, Utah. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Anderson, Mike (2023-07-07). "Logan Canyon to get cell service". KSLTV.com. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Andrus, Jamie (2021-01-15). "The leader we need to support our economy". David Zook for County Executive. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Schill, Charlie (2021-11-29). "County secures $200,000 state grant for economic development". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ General Election Report Cache County, Utah General Election November 4, 2009 Summary For Log22, All Counter, All Races, OFFICIAL RESULTS (PDF) (Report). 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The politics of open space on Tuesday's Access Utah". Utah Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ writer, Brock Marchant staff (2022-11-08). "Unofficial election tallies in favor of open space bond". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Schill, Charlie (2025-04-27). "Cache County finalizes land deal protecting nearly 800 acres of open space near Sherwood Hills". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Zook, David (October 22, 2022). "Helping with Mental Health". David Zook for County Executive. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Schill, Charlie (2022-08-22). "County Executive makes pitch for receiving center to Logan City Council". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ writer, Corbin Allen staff (2025-03-13). "Behavioral health receiving center nearing construction in Logan". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ The Municipal Council of the City of Logan, State of Utah. Ordinance #23-36. 1.
- ^ "An Ordinance Amending Title 17 The Land Development Code of Logan City, Utah" (PDF). 2025-12-05. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Schill, Charlie (2025-02-14). "Cache County, city officials award contract for recreation center feasibility study". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ a b Schill, Charlie (2022-06-24). "David Zook reveals recommendations of House Crisis Task Force". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ a b "Utah's housing crisis with David Zook on Tuesday's Access Utah". Utah Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Boam, Rod (2022-01-17). "Homeless count begins Wednesday, Jan. 26 – volunteers still needed". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Schill, Charlie (2022-03-07). "Utah to earmark $10.8 million for shelter services for the homeless". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "HB0440". le.utah.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "Official Site of Cache County, Utah - Boards and Committees". www.cachecounty.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ writer, By Erick L. Graham Wood staff (2019-05-01). "Nibley receives distinguished budget award". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ writer, By Jackson Wilde staff (2019-11-15). "Nibley City Manager receives 'Credentialed Manager' designation". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Logan StoryCorps: A faith journey". Utah Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-05-29.