KAYSVILLE — A Farmington resident with many years in the banking business has been named the new Davis Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

James “Jim” Smith has been selected by the chamber’s board of directors and will assume his duties Sept. 21.

He has been in the banking industry for more than 35 years and served as president of two separate banking institutions, including a new bank that was opened in Davis County about a decade ago, and has wide experience working in key positions for several banks in Davis County and Northern Utah.

Smith was born and raised in Southern California, and came to Northern Utah in 1976. Most recently, he has served as senior vice president and regional manager for the Bank of the West.

He has been very involved in many community and civic organizations, including the chambers of commerce both in Davis and Weber counties, as a board member of the Ogden Rotary Club, also on the board of the Davis Entrepreneurial Center and past chairman of the Northern Utah Certified Development Company.

“We are absolutely delighted that Jim Smith has agreed to lead the Davis Chamber of Commerce, to advance the chamber to an even greater level of business advocacy, membership growth and financial strength,” said Brad Wilson, chair of the chamber’s board of directors.

“Jim is an innovative and experienced professional with a proven track record of leadership, financial management and service in the business community,” he said.

“The chamber is perfectly poised for meaningful growth over the next few years and I am excited to be a part of what lies ahead,” Smith said. “The chamber is a well-respected organization in our state and I look forward to working with local businesses and community leaders to further the growth and goals of our county.

“There is great potential in Davis County,” he added.

Smith and his wife, Carolyn, have five children and nine grandchildren. In his spare time, he likes to walk, read, travel, discover new restaurants, and spend time with family.

“I happened to notice in the paper that there was an opening for the chamber, thought it was interesting,” Carolyn Smith said. “My daughter (Kelley Gee) said dad would be good at that,” and things moved from there.

Smith strongly believed it was time for a change professionally, his wife said.

He replaces John Pitt, who is now working with a building company. The chamber has more than 800 members, is among the largest in the state.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com