John Price possesses significant experience in entrepreneurship, foreign relations & political issues, the future of sub-Saharan Africa, terrorism concerns, as well as a love of vintage race cars.
John Price
John Price as young boy
John Price was born Hans Joachim Praiss on August 18, 1933 in Spandau, Germany. At the age of five in April 1939, his family fled Nazi Germany, eventually settling in New York City in the fall of 1940. Price first visited Salt Lake City as a geology student in 1954. He quickly realized Utah was where he wanted to be. Two years later, in June of 1956, he graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in geological engineering.
The following summer brought more changes as Price married his wife, Marcia Poulsen, on August 17, 1957. Shortly following the marriage he started his first business, J. Price Construction Company. During the following years and decades Price grew to be one of Utah’s most prominent businessmen. He enjoyed success in a variety of fields both throughout the Intermountain region and nationally, and also served on numerous local, state, and national boards.
Public Service
Swearing-in of Ambassador John Price
Price first visited the Horn of Africa in February 1970. He and his wife Marcia embarked on a fact-finding mission for the CARE and UNICEF operations and the United Nations World Food Program. Years later, he was ready when the White House called to enlist his service. On February 8, 2002, John Price was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros. Price served as ambassador until June 17, 2005.
In the time since his public service, Ambassador Price has continued to be involved in the area. Price works to raise awareness and interest in the issues facing sub-Saharan Africa as well as the resulting impact on the United States. These issues include; the Horn of Africa as an epicenter for terrorist groups, civil affairs programs including schools and hospitals, embassy closings, and many more. Ambassador Price shares his analysis and knowledge on these and many other issues via his blog on this website.
Vintage Race Cars
Ab Jenkins' Mormon Meteor III
John Price also possesses a love for vintage race cars. Recently, Price produced Boys of Bonneville, a documentary highlighting the story of David Abbott “Ab” Jenkins. With almost superhuman stamina and boyish charm, Ab set out to single-handedly break every existing land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah. As part of the project, Jenkins’ car (the “Mormon Meteor III”) was restored and even returned for a ceremonial lap on the Salt. Boys of Bonneville was selected at many film festivals over the past year, won a number of awards, and was also shown during a Utah theatrical release. Learn more about Boys of Bonneville here.
Price has also founded the Price Museum of Speed in Salt Lake City Utah. The Museum of Speed features a rare display of the greatest representations of early racing history. Many of the rare vintage race cars it features either won or placed well in numerous renowned events such as the Grand Prix, Le Mans, Morris Park, Briarcliff Cup, Daytona Beach, Gordon Bennett Cup, Empire Track at Yonkers, Sheepshead Bay, Indianapolis, and Mille Miglia among others. Also in the collection are other marquee automobiles representing different periods of history. Ab Jenkins’ Mormon Meteor III also calls the Price Museum of Speed home. The mission of the Price Museum of Speed is to display unique vintage race cars and memorabilia, and provide an automobile research library for future generations of car enthusiasts to enjoy. Learn more about the price museum of speed here.