Wendell J. Ashton has been described as a pacesetter in the communications field in the Intermountain West. He was a trailblazer in public relations in the early days of his career at Gillham Advertising. His life has been filled with challenges such as publisher of the Deseret News, director of the LDS Church Communications Department, principal in Gillham Advertising, and various civic and community activities. Ashton's communications career was one of innovator and pioneer as he helped forge the public relations industry in the Intermountain West. His career has followed in the footsteps of many other professionals such as Lon Richardson Sr., William S. Adamson, Nelson Aldrich, Edwin Dowell, Parry D. Sorensen, Jennings Phillips, David W. Evans, Arch Madsen, and G. Robert Ruff. This thesis will examine the career of Wendell J. Ashton as it began, as it grew, and as it blossomed through major communications, advertising, and public relations projects. This study will reveal how Ashton increased the status of public relations professionals in Utah.