Utah Business magazine and website, devoted to spotlighting executives and entrepreneurs, has name ChamberWest President Barbara Riddle one of its 25 CEOs of the year in our state. The honor comes 65 years after the westside business organization was first created, under a different name… and ten years after Riddle took the reins.

“Each year, we celebrate Utah’s most accomplished professionals,” Utah Business explains on its website. “(These CEOs) have led their organizations with vision, courage and determination (and) have made it their mission to elevate the way business is done in Utah.”

On January 20, 1961 John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as our 35th President of the United States, ushering in a new era of youth and optimism across the country. Just days later, a new business support organization was born on the Salt Lake Valley’s westside.

“In February 1961, many businessmen in the West Valley City area knew there was a need to build a strong alliance in order to grow as a community,” Riddle said. “About 20 men congregated for that initial meeting. This marked the beginning of (what was first called) the Granger-Hunter Chamber of Commerce. The name ChamberWest was made official in January 2001.”

Riddle reports, Taylorsville businesses joined the organization in 1968. Kearns merchants followed. More recently, ChamberWest has expanded to also include West Jordan and Magna businesses.

The ChamberWest office now has four full-time employees. In addition to President/CEO Riddle, Monica Gayden is the organization’s senior director of business development & events… Makaila Kelso is business development director… and Gabby Viana, office coordinator. They are the three who nominated Riddle for her honor – and were just as excited as Riddle when they got the official word. 

“I was on the phone when the email came in about the CEO of the year honor,” Riddle said. “My staff all came in, standing in front of my desk. I was quite curious about what was going on. It is a great honor. All four of us attended the luncheon where the 25 honorees were introduced.”

“Barbara Riddle is amazing; her work ethic is unmatched,” Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson said. “ChamberWest has so many events going on at the same time. I know when I answer a call from her, I will say ‘yes.’ Barbara can talk me into doing anything. Our city is happy to do whatever we can to help ChamberWest.”

Since being named president and CEO in March 2016, Riddle says ChamberWest has nearly doubled its membership – and more than quadrupled annual revenue. The organization has far too many active committees and events to detail here. All of their activities are detailed at chamberwest.com.

Growing up, Riddle lived in several states as her father’s Bureau of Land Management job moved the family around. She graduated high school in Virginia – but began calling Utah home soon thereafter.

“I moved out here to attend Utah State and have lived in our state ever since,” she said. “I’m married, with two amazing kids, horses and dogs. We make our home in West Kaysville; but I most definitely live in the west Salt Lake Valley during the day.”

ChamberWest Board Chair Ryan D. Nelson is a senior VP for Avalon Health Care Management.

“The way Barbara conducts herself as CEO is incredible,” Nelson said. “She has an instinct for properly managing communication and relationships. She is a collector of good people – which is why her staff is also so strong. Barbara sets a very high bar of excellence.”

Nelson added, ChamberWest welcomed 96 new members last year alone and hosted 36 different events.