JEREMY DUDA - Daily Herald | Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 11:00 pm
As Utah Valley's economy grows at a breakneck pace, Kim Nielsen wants to see the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce grow alongside it.
Nielsen, the chamber's new chairman of the board, said one of his goals for 2007 is to bring in new members. He wants each chamber member to organize a handful of member businesses and get each to help bring in new members so "we can be a real voice for economic development in the greater Utah Valley.
Nielsen, who is the executive director of the Celebration of Health Foundation at Intermountain Health Care, has been on the chamber's board of directors for two years. On Friday, he was sworn in as chairman while 10 others were welcomed as new board members at the chamber's annual Winter Gala.
Because Utah Valley has one of the highest birthrates in the United States, Nielsen said it is important to encourage new businesses to open here, which will help keep families and their children in the area.
"That's the only way to really keep our children at home. And then to have these great educational institutions to train them," he said. "We'll keep our kids to grow the valley even more."
Dave Cutler, the outgoing chairman, said a good economy and continued efforts by the chamber helped increase the chamber's membership to 850 businesses in 2006, a 10 percent bump from the previous year. Zermatt Resort and Spa in Wasatch County, for example, joined in part due to the chamber board holding a November retreat there. Thanksgiving Point, where the Winter Gala was held, is also a recent addition to the chamber.
Dennis, who will continue to serve on the board for another year, said he enjoyed his time as chairman.
"It's been a great experience," he said.
One of Friday's inductees to the board was a newcomer to Utah County, Daily Herald publisher Craig Dennis. Dennis, who served on the board of the chamber of commerce in Sacramento, Calif., became publisher in October but is already taking an active interest in the county's business community.
"It's pretty easy to do that in a role as publisher because you're in tune with the community and what's going on," Dennis said.
Cutler praised Dennis for the experience he will bring to the chamber. The publisher agreed to lead the committee for the chamber's Leadership Academy, which will train potential managers.
"Dennis has great ideas on how we can make improvements to our program," Cutler said.
State Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, swore in the new board members.
Reporter Grace Leong contributed to this story.
New board members for the Provo-Orem Chamber: Craig Dennis, Daily Herald; Jon Anderson of Commerce CRG; Mike Washburn of Thanksgiving Point; Annetta Gallagher of Utah Auto Sales; Tom Macdonald of Canyon Park Management Co.; Tom Morgan of Zion's Bank; Brad Norton of Utah Community Credit Union; Stan Lockhart of IM Flash; Pimmie Lopez of Parkway Health Center; and Ralph Yarro of Think Atomic.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.