His innovative practices have earned him numerous accolades including formal recognition from former Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, UT, April 15, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Jared Beers, retired Captain from the Utah Department of Corrections and founder of Zestive Group LLC, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Marked by a two-decade dedication to maximizing the potential of incarcerated individuals, Mr. Beers has established himself as a nationwide leader in correctional reform. His career is defined by a steadfast commitment to treating individuals with dignity and fostering environments that encourage personal transformation without compromising rigorous security standards.
Following his retirement from the Utah Department of Corrections in 2026, Mr. Beers founded Zestive Group LLC. Through this venture, he consults with prison systems and non-profits across the United States, championing evidence-based rehabilitative programs. Operating as both a sales and creative consultant, his expertise is highly sought after for developing strategies that utilize cognitive behavioral training to shift criminal mindsets toward legitimate pursuits, thereby reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety. Additionally, through Zestive Group, he consults on national peer support and mental health awareness programs aimed at removing the stigma that often prevents active military, veterans, and first responders from seeking necessary help.
Expanding his impact, Mr. Beers serves as a consultant for MyOmnia, aiding in the implementation of AI-driven software solutions designed to predict and address mental health risks—such as suicide, anxiety, and depression—among military personnel and first responders exposed to professional trauma. He also acts as a Correctional Partnership Advisor for Hustle 2.0, advancing initiatives that address core cognitive needs, helping incarcerated individuals harness their entrepreneurial skills to break cycles of criminal thinking.
During his distinguished 20-year tenure with the Utah Department of Corrections, Mr. Beers supervised housing units at both the Draper facility and the newly relocated Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. He oversaw all programming and housing within the female prison and managed a male substance use and sex offender treatment facility. Extending his leadership beyond security, he prioritized the welfare of both the incarcerated population and his staff, ensuring compliance with legal standards while actively fostering morale.
A proud advocate for education, he developed comprehensive programming for women inmates in 2009—introducing vocational trades, Microsoft Office certifications, and literacy initiatives. He also pioneered peer-led educational models, training inmates to teach life skills and cognitive restructuring classes. As a lieutenant, he expanded these efforts by increasing the number of teaching assistants and collaborating with the prison high school to provide critical educational resources. Throughout his career, Mr. Beers took immense pride in mentoring his staff and actively acknowledging the positive behavioral changes of the individuals under his care.
Throughout his career, Mr. Beers has found profound fulfillment in witnessing the parallel growth of both correctional officers and the incarcerated population. He takes particular pride in mentoring staff members who have advanced through the ranks under his guidance and cherishes stories of individual transformation. One such example involved a formerly resistant young man whose entire perspective shifted following a simple act of kindness toward an elderly incarcerated individual. By verbally acknowledging this character growth and documenting it in the individual’s official rehabilitation progress file, Mr. Beers demonstrated the power of positive reinforcement. As he often notes, sometimes a single moment of recognized humanity is all it takes to lead someone toward a permanent change in mindset.
Hailing from a robust academic background, Mr. Beers earned a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with honors from Argosy University in 2012, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Emergency Services Management, graduating magna cum laude from Utah Valley University in 2009. His technical acumen, bolstered by computer science coursework at the University of Utah, allowed him to develop automated tracking applications to streamline prison education programs using VBA programming in Microsoft Excel.
His innovative practices have earned him numerous accolades, including the Life Saving Medal from the Utah Department of Corrections in 2023 for a heroic highway accident rescue, and formal recognition from former Utah Governor Gary Herbert. He remains deeply involved in industry organizations, serving as a board member for the International Protection Alliance and maintaining his role as web administrator and active member for Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 14. He is also an active member of the Correctional Officer Peace Foundation.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Mr. Beers currently resides in Eagle Mountain with his wife, Jacque, and their children. In his free time, he is an avid 3D printing enthusiast and enjoys playing video games with his young nieces.
Looking ahead, Mr. Beers remains dedicated to expanding the reach of vital mental health and rehabilitation programs nationwide. Concurrently, he is cultivating a newly opened family-owned retail hobby and LEGO store—a venture that reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and enduring commitment to building a secure, positive future for his family and community.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who’s Who in America® and Who’s Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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Blythe Pecora
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