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Jon Huntsman rejoins Ford board of directors

(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) Republican Utah gubernatorial candidate and former ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. looks on during a debate on May 20, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Three years after stepping down from Ford’s board of directors in order to become the United States ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman is returning to the board.

(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) Republican Utah gubernatorial candidate and former ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. looks on during a debate on May 20, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Three years after stepping down from Ford’s board of directors in order to become the United States ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman is returning to the board.

Three years after stepping down from Ford’s board of directors to become the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman is making a return.

Ford announced the addition of the former Utah governor on Thursday, bringing its board of directors to 14 members.

“I’m thrilled that we will again benefit from Jon’s extraordinary experience, insights and relationships,” Executive Chairman Bill Ford said in a news release. “His career and accomplishments in global policy and trade are incomparable.”

Huntsman was originally elected to Ford’s board of directors in 2012. He held the position until September 2017 when he gave it up to head to Moscow to represent President Donald Trump.

In June, Huntsman narrowly lost the Republican nomination for Utah governor to Lt. Gov Spencer Cox by fewer than 6,400 votes. Since then, he has reentered the corporate world, joining Chevron Corp.'s board of directors. Huntsman previously served on Chevron’s board from 2014-17.

He has also served as the ambassador to China and to Singapore. He served as Utah’s governor from 2005 to 2009.

Editor’s note • Jon Huntsman is a brother of Paul Huntsman, chairman of The Salt Lake Tribune’s nonprofit board of directors.

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