An ambitious industrialist with pioneering innovations as grand as his vision. A self-styled diplomat with multinational interests stretching as far as his jet would take him. A passionate philanthropist with a heart as big as his wallet. And a committed Mormon with a faith as firm as the Rocky Mountains where he made his home.
All these qualities describe Jon Huntsman Sr., and they all were in full force a quarter-century ago, half a world away.
In Yerevan, Armenia, Huntsman, armed with juice, stood to offer a toast in June 1991 celebrating the completion of the multimillion-dollar cement plant he financed to ensure that Armenians could construct sturdier homes than the ones that had crumbled like sand castles in an earthquake several years earlier, killing thousands.