Every company has one. Great
ones – think Lou Gerstner, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs – are household names in
the annals of successful companies, a veritable “Who’s Who” representing
success, profit, and revenue.
To honor the
Dozens of nominations came
from throughout the state, representing companies small and large, from public,
private and nonprofit sectors. A committee of
But the most critical factor
scrutinized was influence.
“These are the business
leaders of our state,” said Idaho Business Review Publisher and Vice President
Sean Evans. “Not only do they represent the highest tier within our business
community, but they also make a real difference. They shape their companies,
mold their employees and determine the direction of their businesses. In turn,
they influence all of us. We look forward to profiling and honoring these
influential CEOs.”
The CEOs were recognized in
a premier event and featured in a pullout magazine on Thursday, May 26 at The
Boise Centre.
The Idaho Business Review is
proud to present the seven members of the class of 2011 “CEOs of Influence.”
Private company with
more than 500 employees:
James Alan Kissler, CEO of
Following a donation from
Kissler, Dr. George Record, a surgeon with Doctors Without Borders wrote in a
letter: “I am writing to thank you on behalf of patients all around the world
for your gift. In
Private company with
less than 500 employees:
Dennis L. Johnson, president and CEO of United Heritage Financial
Group and United Heritage Life Insurance Company.
In 2010, United States
Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner met privately with Johnson and four
other life insurance CEOs about financial services legislation.
Small business with
50 or fewer employees:
Jessica A. Flynn, co-founder, president and CEO of Red Sky Public
Relations.
She says: “Success is people
knowing when you are here and remembering you when you are gone.”
Nonprofits with more
than $10 million in annual revenue:
Jim Everett, CEO of the
The Treasure Valley YMCA is
in 90 different locations, operates four facilities, 17 child care centers and
is the largest provider of child care and youth services in the state. Under
Nonprofits with less
than $10 million in annual revenue:
Rick Ritter, president and CEO of Idaho TechConnect, Inc.
About the nonprofit, Ritter
says: “The results of this great team are clear. Since 2006, this team has
provided assistance to more than 1,600 companies (65 percent new/startup, 35
percent existing). These companies employ just over 2,500 Idahoans and have
paid more than $148 million in wages and more than $8 million in
Public company with
more than $500 million in annual revenue:
Joel Hickman, Idaho District president and CEO of Key Bank.
In a letter of
recommendation, Vice President Jeffrey W. Hancock says: “While he demands
performance and focuses on achieving our corporate mission, in the end he truly
cares more about all of us as people and individuals. It is the model of how
one motivates and influences their employees.”
Public company with
less than $500 million in annual revenue:
A. Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank.