Francine Giani, Executive Director Commerce
Francine A. Giani is the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce. She was appointed to her position by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. in July 2005. In her role Ms. Giani is responsible for policy-making and management over six Division Directors and the mission of the Department of Commerce. With responsibility for issuing over 300,000 licenses and regulating hundreds of industries, the Department of Commerce is one of Utah's chief regulatory agencies. Agencies in Commerce include, the Office of Property Rights Ombudsman, the Office of Committee Services, the Division of Consumer Protection, the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, the Division of Public Utilities, the Division of Real Estate and the Division of Securities.
In addition to her duties as Executive Director, Francine Giani is a steadfast consumer advocate who presents speeches, creates public service announcements and participates in media interviews to help educate the public against fraud.
Previous to her appointment as Executive Director, Francine was Director of the Division of Consumer Protection from 1992 - December 2005. Her efforts helped strengthen Utah consumer protection laws and solidified relationships with the business community and consumer advocates.
Francine also served as a press secretary and policy advisor to former Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter from 1984 - 1992, a Republican Party State delegate, and as a Centerville City Council member from 1992 - 2000.
As a graduate of Hunter College in New York City with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications from Hunter College, New York, Francine began her career in New York working for ABC Television. She received a Masters of Public Administration from the Romney Institute at Brigham Young University.
Francine makes her home in Centerville with her husband, Rick, and their twin daughters. She enjoys watching her daughter's soccer games, camping and hiking in Utah's National Parks.