Weber State University's National Advisory Council is comprised of industry leaders including Trina Limpert, Ray Bingham, and Lori Belnap Pehrson, who bring specialized expertise in technology, business strategy, and aerospace engineering to the institution's leadership and advisory initiatives.
Tech Industry Leadership
Trina Limpert, the CEO and founder of RizeNext Corp and Co-Founder of Tech-Moms.org, serves as a member of the National Advisory Council. Based in American Fork, Limpert has spent more than 25 years in the high-tech industry, holding significant roles at Novell, Oracle, and eBay. In her previous capacities, she focused on leading diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Limpert's professional background includes an EMBA from the University of Utah, a Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Systems from the University of Phoenix, and an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science from Weber State University. Her career achievements include receiving the Women Tech Council Impact Award in 2015 and being recognized as one of Utah Business Magazine's 30 Women to Watch.
Through her nonprofit organization, Tech-Moms.org, Limpert works to empower women to transition into higher-paying technology roles or re-enter the workforce. Her work has influenced technology career landscapes for both professionals and students at Weber State University and across the state of Utah.
Global Business and Philanthropy
Ray Bingham, a Co-Founder and Partner at Canyon Bridge, also serves on the National Advisory Council. Located in Woodside, California, Bingham is a technology leader, investor, and board director with a career spanning over 35 years across the high-tech, hospitality real estate development, and chemical engineering sectors.
Bingham's leadership history includes a tenure from 1993 to 2005 at Cadence Design Systems, where he served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Chairman. During this period, he managed the company's global expansion into markets including Russia, India, and China, and oversaw 19 acquisitions to grow the firm's technology leadership.
In addition to his corporate roles, Bingham is the founder of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, which focuses on improving educational outcomes for students in Silicon Valley. He also serves on the board of the National Parks Conservation Association and received an honorary degree from Weber State University in 2006. His academic background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Weber State University.
Aerospace and Community Advocacy
Lori Belnap Pehrson, a National Advisory Council member, is a retired Director who previously served at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Based in Layton, Utah, Pehrson retired in 2021 following a career of over 20 years at Northrop Grumman, where she served as the Director of Engineering and Systems Integration.
Pehrson's career was defined by managing a diverse portfolio of programs to advance national security objectives. In addition to her advisory roles, she has been appointed to the Governor's Economic Council and serves on the board of directors for the Safe Harbor Crisis Center. She is also an active STEM advocate, participating in speaking engagements at various schools and conferences.
Pehrson's community involvement includes teaching computer skills and English to local refugee groups, as well as mentoring veterans during their reentry into the workforce. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Weber State University and studies at the Defense Acquisition University. She has served as a Board of Trustees Member from 2023 to 2027 and received the WSU Salutes Distinguished Alum Award in 2019.
Council Expertise Overview
The diverse professional backgrounds of the National Advisory Council members reflect a broad spectrum of expertise. From Limpert's focus on workforce diversity and technology transitions to Bingham's experience in global corporate expansion and Pehrson's background in aerospace engineering and national security, these leaders provide multifaceted perspectives to the university.
