KAYSVILLE -- Nobody at the Davis Chamber of Commerce would be surprised if Jim Smith were to bring a compass to the next meeting.
Certainly any new leader, like Smith is at the chamber this fall, can talk about new directions.
But the 59-year-old former banker, the chamber CEO since late September, says some of the prominent issues he intends to tackle clearly point to the four corners of the county.
For instance, the Farmington resident says the chamber's success in helping get the Legacy Parkway built as a north-south route opened up the topic of improving east-west routes in the county.
"Transportation will be a priority as we talk with legislators," said Smith, a Southern California native and father of five.
Narrowing the business priorities among the listed 800 chamber members is also one of Smith's goals in the year ahead.
He points out another part of his directional challenge is to bring the northern and southern half of his membership closer together.
Smith said the influence of Salt Lake City on the southern Davis County business community leads to different expectations and needs than those of northern business owners who perhaps cater more to the Top of Utah.
"My board needs to become balanced between the north and the south," he said in a conversation about developing commonalities and leadership for united chamber goals.
A former Ogden banker with both commercial and retail experience -- including the start-up of a bank in Davis County -- Smith takes over for John Pitt, who moved on to the building industry.
Smith, with more than three decades of Utah banking experience, believes he can be a tool to help further educate small business owners and others who face the financial challenge of a struggling economy.
"One of my fears is that people think we are just about networking," Smith said of his plans to make available financial advice for both new and existing business owners.
Connecting Hill Air Force Base and products or services available in the county is another goal for the new chamber leader.
Hiking and church life are part of his private pastimes, but he says building pride in the county community is at the heart of his chamber presidency.
"We have a picture perfect community," Smith added.
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