‘Speaking on Business’ Honors Top Businesses in 2017
21 Companies in Utah and Idaho honored for Local Economic Impact
Each year, more than 360 large and small companies across Utah and Idaho are contacted by Zions Bank to be highlighted on its daily radio program called “Speaking on Business,” which has been airing more than 20 years.
At this year’s 7th annual luncheons held in both states, the top businesses were honored by Zions Bank for the economic impact each is making in their communities, the nation and the world. Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson, Senior Vice President Chris Redgrave (who hosts the Speaking on Business program), and Executive Vice President Rob Brough distributed awards to the honorees.
Anderson spoke of the strength these businesses bring to the world and encouraged honorees to be proud of their unique successes. “We believe in business and its impact on our communities, and we want to do all we can to help you grow,” Anderson said.
The keynote speaker in Utah was Dr. Dale Hull, founder of Neuroworx, a nonprofit organization providing community-based outpatient physical and occupational therapy for children and adults affected by paralysis. “People who generously give of their resources experience more happiness, and happier people are more productive, and greater productivity leads to greater success. Giving has a way of enriching and enhancing our lives,” Hull said.
In Idaho, the keynote address was delivered by Chuck Ceccarelli, owner of In the Ditch, which manufactures and distributes towing products across the globe. He focused on the importance of building a strong team and developing teamwork in an organization. “Increase your emphasis on people and processes before profits,” he said.

Bear River Lodge
Bear River Lodge provides recreation experiences with one-, two-, three- and five-bedroom cabins available for rent and partial ownership. The biggest cabins sleep up to 22 people. The lodge also offers equipment rentals like ATVs and side-by-sides for summer, and snowmobiles and snow bikes in winter. The lodge has access to 400 miles of trails and borders National Forest Service land.

Bish’s RV
Bish’s RV was founded in 1992 and is the Gem State’s largest family owned RV dealership. With locations in Idaho Falls, Meridian, Pocatello and Twin Falls, Bish’s RV offers an extensive inventory of everything from truck campers to full-size motorhomes.

Commercial Tire
Commercial Tire has grown to include 42 stores in four states, with headquarters in Idaho, and more than 500 employees. Though the main focus is on large commercial service and construction-related operations, the company also provides service for customers with smaller vehicles.

CTI Construction
CTI is a design-and-build construction firm serving clients across the Western United States, with a presence as far east as Mississippi and as far north as North Dakota. Its specialty is providing design and construction services for government agencies, with an emphasis on electrical and roofing systems.

Dairy Keen
Located in Heber Valley, this food spot has been delighting customers for 71 years and is known for its famous shakes, burgers, french fries, soups and gluten-free items. Dairy Keen is now in its third generation of family ownership.

Honeyville Inc.
Honeyville is known for its specialty flours and grains, blended products for baking, and breakfast and drink mixes. With production and offices in Utah, California and Arizona, the company recently completed a new 240,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Ogden to continue its growth in dry food production.

Hulme Ranch
Hulme Ranch is known for its Angus beef cow operation and is looking to produce 650 calves to sell to a dedicated customer base that loves the high quality of cows the ranch is raising. It has been developing a cross-bred program to improve the quality of the cattle.

In the Ditch
Chuck Ceccarelli and his team of 60 employees have brought more than 500 new products to market — all relating to the towing industry — since launching his company In the Ditch 12 years ago. All products are manufactured onsite at the company’s facility in Mountain Home, Idaho, with some of its largest accounts overseas.

Jim’s Upholstery
Jim’s Upholstery is known for its custom upholstery work for cars, boats and planes. Every year the company learns new styles to keep up with trends and reinvent itself. It will soon move to a new 10,000-square-foot building, which will increase visibility and expand capacity.

Maliheh Free Clinic
With a team of more than 400 volunteers, the Maliheh (ma-lee-hey) Free Clinic is providing free health care for uninsured individuals and families, and is sponsored by the Semnani Family Foundation. In 2016, it logged more than 15,000 patient visits. All patients of the Maliheh Free Clinic live below the federal poverty level. The nonprofit is currently raising funds for a new clinic that will double its space and expand services.


Neuroworx
Neuroworx is a nonprofit organization providing community-based outpatient physical and occupational therapy for children and adults affected by paralysis. Its combination of expertise, specialized equipment and time has been so successful that as of last year, it treated some 1,700 individuals from 24 states and four countries.

Nick’s Fireplace Outfitters
Nick’s Fireplace Outfitters offers high-quality wood, gas and pellet stoves made to order. The company handles the entire process from start to finish, which includes selling, framing, installing and finishing work. Fireplaces from Nick’s Fireplace Outfitters can be built into walls or freestanding, with the option of custom mantels. In addition to fireplaces, Nick’s Fireplace Outfitters also sells Bullfrog spas and smoker grills during the summer months.

Reed’s Dairy
Reed’s Dairy is known for its dairy products including milk, cheese and 130 flavors of homemade ice cream. It sells bottled milk in its three stores — two in Idaho Falls and a new one in Meridian — or through home delivery. Cheddar is the main cheese produced, but the cheese curds are also popular.

Ririe Grain
This almost 70-year-old farm cooperative in Ririe, Idaho, is serving generational farm families in the southeastern region of the state. As a cooperative, Ririe Grain represents the interests of its members who have input on what the organization does. Profits stay local and at year’s end are sent back to patrons to be invested in facilities, employees and equipment to benefit the co-op.

Rowley’s Red Barn
Rowley’s is known for its fresh produce that includes apples, peaches and tart cherries — the latter being its largest crop. This family owned business is now entering its fifth generation of family involvement and is known for its iconic Red Barn store off Interstate-15 in Santaquin, Utah, with a second location in Southern Utah.

Stapley Pharmacy
As a second-generation pharmacist and president of Stapley Pharmacy in St. George, Brad Stapley believes in patient engagement and community involvement. In addition to providing medicines, including compounded prescriptions, he travels throughout the community addressing prescription drug safety and proper medication use. The company has grown to include four locations, including one that serves customers in long-term care and rehab facilities.

Stinker Stores
This Boise-based convenience store company now operates in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming with more than 1,000 employees. The company recently acquired 41 stores in Colorado, which more than doubles its size and customer reach.

The DAWN Method
The Dementia and Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network, or DAWN Method, helps those caring for loved ones with dementia. The DAWN Method is a set of tools designed to help caregivers meet the emotional needs of loved ones with dementia to care for them at home longer. The approach focuses on seven basic needs, including mood management, security and personal empowerment.

Vector Structural Engineering
Vector Structural Engineering is licensed in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Its expertise is in structural engineering for all types of buildings, bridges, towers and industrial facilities. It has also entered the rapidly expanding solar energy market and is supporting installers nationwide.