Utah.com, a major travel and tourism hub, relaunches site

Since 1996, Utah.com has been an online source for travelers planning on visiting the state, and enjoying world-class skiing, five national parks, celebrity-packed film festivals and western hospitality.

Recently, Salt Lake City-based Deseret Digital Media revealed the results of a massive three-year project that included a complete overhaul to Utah.com’s brand and design. Feedback gathered from user research sessions in California, Colorado and Utah drove the design seen today, as well as the implementation of features that allow users to discover, plan and book their Utah vacations without ever having to visit another website.

The new Utah.com delivers detailed itineraries and unique promotions designed to introduce tourists to Utah’s best lodging properties, guide and restaurants.

“We created a unique model to satisfy the needs of travelers and advertisers by integrating promotion into our organic content to enable visitors to get the most out of their trips,” said Chad Taylor, Utah.com general manager. “For example, most travel sites will tell you that Bryce Canyon Pines Motel has standard and deluxe rooms. Utah.com will tell you to try the sour cream and raisin pie at the adjacent restaurant – hand baked by owner Ethyl Rich each day. Or, to join her son, Rusty, on a horseback tour through Butch Cassidy’s old stomping grounds.”

Along with destination-specific copy written by local experts and journalists, Utah.com’s new editorial focus includes the soon-to-launch Local View. This section is like getting the inside scoop from a dyed-in-the-wool Utah native sharing things to see and do that might not be in a travel brochure.

EnerBank USA banking veteran Charlie Knadler replaces retiring CEO Louise Kelly

EnerBank USA has named Charlie Knadler, current executive vice president and CFO, as president and CEO to replace Louise Kelly, who will retire at the end of the year.

Knadler joined EnerBank in 2004 and has served as EVP and CFO since 2010. His career in financial services spans more than 20 years and includes experience in sales, credit, compliance and finance, providing a solid foundation for his new role as the bank’s top executive.

“Charlie is the perfect leader to take EnerBank into the future,” said Kelly. “He’s prepared with the right skills and experience to keep the momentum going–and bring the Bank to even greater heights. Customers, clients, and employees will experience the same excellent company culture and customer service we have worked so hard to develop over the years.”

Knadler serves on the executive committee of the Utah Association of Financial Services and the National Association of Industrial Bankers. He also serves on the finance committee of NeighborWorks Salt Lake, a non-profit organization whose mission is to revitalize neighborhoods and create affordable housing.

“Charlie is a skilled banking executive with great leadership capabilities,” said Tom Webb, EnerBank’s chairman of the board and EVP and CFO of Energy Corporation, the parent company of the Bank. “We thank Louise for her service as founding director and CEO. She transformed EnerBank from a small operation into a nationally recognized, top-performing bank.”

Kelly was part of the EnerBank opening in 2002 with $14 million in capital, and under her leadership, the business exceeded $1 billion in assets in 2014. The Bank remains well capitalized, has almost no troubled assets, and has thrived before, during, and after the recession, ranking in the top three percent of FDIC-insured banks in terms of profitability.

EnerBank is a specialized industrial bank that provides unsecured home improvement lending through strategic business partners and authorized home improvement contractors throughout the United States. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, the business recently opened a call center in Provo, to facilitate the Bank’s continued growth.

Kelly, who was just named to American Banker’s List of 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance, will continue to serve on the Bank’s board of directors.