Stephen Lisonbee

Stephen Lisonbee is a rural strategy and partnerships leader focused on helping communities and commercial & industrial partners strengthen energy infrastructure, power reliability, and long-term economic resilience.

He currently works with Torus, supporting community-driven energy solutions that improve power quality, enhance reliability during peak demand, and strengthen backup and resilience capabilities for commercial and industrial users. His work centers on building trusted partnerships between communities, utilities, local leaders, and private-sector partners—ensuring that energy infrastructure investments translate into real, place-based outcomes.

For more than a decade, Stephen has been recognized for his ability to convene stakeholders, align resources, and design systems that expand opportunity in rural communities. He previously served as Senior Advisor for Rural Affairs to Governor Spencer J. Cox, where he helped advance statewide initiatives in rural economic development, infrastructure, agriculture, leadership development, and the One Utah model of collaboration. He also served as Associate Vice President of the Office of Regional Services at Southern Utah University, leading community and economic development efforts across Utah’s rural counties and building nationally recognized partnerships across government, education, and industry.

Stephen brings a unique blend of public-sector insight and private-sector execution. He is especially known for translating complex infrastructure and policy challenges into shared community solutions; navigating cross-sector partnerships involving utilities, industry, government, education, tribes, and nonprofits; and helping communities move from ideas to aligned action that strengthens local capacity.

His work remains grounded in the belief that strong families, strong communities, and resilient infrastructure are deeply connected—and that trust and collaboration are essential to long-term success.

Stephen lives in La Verkin, Utah, where he and his family spend their time exploring the outdoors, creating, rockhounding, and building meaningful traditions together.