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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
The state of Utah has lost a dear friend, an extraordinary leader and dedicated community servant whose contribution to our business community will be felt for years to come. You know him as Fred Ball.
Fred Ball was known as the "voice of Utah business" for more than 20 years. He has been heard discussing the intriguing stories behind many Utah businesses. His entrance onto the Utah airwaves came as he delivered the Metro Business Report during his 25 years as president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. After retiring from the Chamber, he joined Zions Bank in 1996 where he became the voice for "Speaking on Business". Over the course of 13 years, Fred featured over 2,500 businesses and recognized many remarkable business owners from around the state.
During his time with the Salt Lake Chamber, Fred was involved with some of the biggest events in the history of the state — acquiring the Delta Hub, bringing the Jazz to Utah and securing the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bid. He played an important role in wooing all of them to Utah.
Fred's support for Utah's business community extended far beyond his radio broadcasts. Over the years he served in various capacities on organizations too numerous to name. The Salt Lake Chamber named Fred a Giant in Our City in 1995. In 2002, Fred was named as the Small Business Administration's Journalist of the Year. He also received many other prestigious awards from local, national and international organizations.
While Fred's service to so many has been great, his most important service has been closer to home, with his own family. Married to his sweetheart, Joyce, for over 60 years, they're the parents of four daughters, 18 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
All of us at Zions Bank, along with hundreds of local businesses, would like to honor Fred for his tireless service to our community, making our world and lives better because of our association with him.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
