“ 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