“ When I ’ m at a sporting event , I not watching it like a fan . I ’ m moving around to find the right way to capture the venue , the athletes , and the fans for the sponsors . I ’ m usually not even aware of the score , especially at Jazz games ,” said Brent .
One of Brent Asay ’ s favorite images from the Tour of Utah in 2013 .
Making your living with a lens isn ’ t just about rubbing elbows with athletes and celebrities . Brent travels with 60 pounds of equipment to each event and has to move about with several cameras and lenses hanging around his neck at all times . He ’ s been crushed by NBA players while sitting under the basket ; his glasses have broken ; he ’ s been struck by an errant pitch at a baseball game — but , according to Brent , “ that ’ s all part of the thrill of being there .”
Being “ there ” for the LHM Group is also what makes Brent special . “ He ’ s a great example of one of our values : Hard Work ,” said John O ’ Bryan , MAO ’ s senior vice president of operations . “ Brent ’ s early-morning and late-night assignments are always taken on with a positive attitude . He is a great asset to our company .”
Brent ’ s career in photography began 18 years ago when he started taking photos of his sons ’ high school sporting activities . One afternoon he stopped by Franklin Covey Field ( now Smith ’ s Ballpark ) to see if he could shoot photos of the baseball team . For the first three or so years , he
traded his photography for game tickets . Not long Brent and all his tools of the trade . after that , he began filling requests to photograph
Utah Jazz players and coaches as they performed service in the community . Brent just finished his 16th season with the Bees and is starting his 12th season with the Jazz .
Over the years , Brent has created many lasting friendships with coaches and players , including former Jazzmen Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur . Brent was invited by Okur to go to Turkey and be his photographer for the NBA ’ s Basketball Without Borders project . But when asked which of all the events and photos stands out most in his mind , Brent has one that is close to his heart : “ I was invited by the Miller family to photograph Jazz players and coaches with Larry when he was in the hospital fighting his losing battle with diabetes . I was so honored to be there and to feel a part of such personal moments Larry shared with those men .”
For Brent , events like the Tour of Utah are important for the Group because they support Gail ’ s and the company ’ s commitment to build communities : “ The Tour
Former Jazz trainer Gary Briggs with Larry Miller . of Utah is all about showcasing each community it visits , and not just in the context of a bike race . Gail and her husband Kim , along with company executives and leadership , participate in the events surrounding the Tour . They spend time meeting the people , interacting with the children and families , and sharing our mission of enriching lives .” WS
GAIL MILLER RECEIVES
NATIONAL AWARD
Along with her duties with the Larry H . Miller Group of Companies , her charity work , and many other roles , Gail Miller serves as the Board of Trustees Chair for Salt Lake Community College . It is in this role that Gail has earned recognition in the form of the Association of Community College Trustees Pacific Region Trustee Leadership Award .
The award itself is the culmination of many years of service and support for the college , starting in 1998 when Gail and Larry donated money for a massive construction project for the school . In 2004 , Gail joined the Board of Trustees . Since then , she has continued to raise money and advocate for the school , helping to establish new facilities , internship programs , and more . These efforts have earned Gail the gratitude of students , faculty , and administrators .
“ Our college has no truer friend , advocate , benefactor , or inspirational leader than Gail Miller ,” states Clint Ensign , vice chair of the Board of Trustees . “ In SLCC ’ s long history , it is hard to remember an individual who has produced as great an effect on the college .” After so many years , Gail ’ s selfless devotion to enriching the lives of others at Salt Lake Community College will be honored when she receives the award at a special ceremony held in October in New Orleans . WS