By Aspen Perry |  [email protected]

  

In January, Sugar House Community Council (SHCC) filled two vacant spots and welcomed two new trustees, Will Kocher and Benjamin Sessions. The new trustees bring different sets of experience and insight sure to add value to this ever-growing community.

 

Officially voted in during the December SHCC meeting, Kocher and Sessions participation as official trustees began the night of the January council meeting.

 

Will Kocher has lived in the Forest Dale neighborhood of Sugar House for 15 years.

“When my wife and I outgrew our condo, we bought a home four blocks away. We just couldn’t see living anywhere else,” said Kocher.

 

Having recently graduated with a master’s in public administration from the University of Utah, as well as being a longtime public employee, Kocher has a deep level of respect and admiration for the process and level of commitment councils like SHCC dedicate to their community.

 

“Volunteering on the Sugar House Community Council… allows me to serve the community I love and to do my part in making sure that our community thrives,” Kocher said.

 

Simultaneous to serving the SHCC, as one of the Forest Dale trustees, Kocher serves as a board member of the University of Utah Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society. As well as serving as the chair of the Public Employee Caucus of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party. When there is time to spare from serving on councils and boards, Kocher also enjoys being active in faith-based charities through his church.  

 

Benjamin Sessions is the other new recruit to SHCC. Sessions will serve as one of the Westminster trustees. Sessions and his wife recently moved to Sugar House in 2016, when they fell in love with the area, and are looking forward to being involved in the community.  

 

Despite being new to Sugar House, Sessions has already enjoyed the affable nature of the Sugar House community stating, “The community has been very welcoming and friendly.”

 

Sessions is a Utah native, born in Ogden, he attended Lone Peak High School in Highland and graduated from the University of Utah in 2005.

 

Much like Kocher, Sessions is no stranger to the world of community service. During Sessions time living in Georgia, he was the president of the South Middle River Civic Association, a board he described as being similar to the SHCC. He served as president on the Air and Waste Management Association Georgia Chapter, and environmental progress chair and board member for the Midtown Neighbors Association in Atlanta, Ga.

 

In addition to serving in various civic organizations, Sessions volunteered as a mentor for an organization similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters called Safehouse Outreach in Atlanta, Ga.

 

“I think it is incredibly important to be engaged in the community… [being part of SHCC] is one way I can serve my neighbors,” said Sessions.

 

When Sessions and his wife were deciding on where to live, Session expressed how they fell in love with Sugar House: “We love the walkability of the neighborhood… are in love with the beautiful homes and activity that happens here.”

 

Activity is one thing Sugar House has no shortage of. Especially, given on average the SHCC reviews and approves two or more developments a month. The growth of Sugar House is sure to allow Kocher and Sessions to put their vast community knowledge to good use.

 

Landon Clark, SHCC Chair is looking forward to what both gentlemen will bring to the council, stating, “Both of these individuals bring an amazing amount of knowledge and expertise in community outreach and community engagement. We hope to rely on them heavily and look forward to working with them.”