The South Valley Chamber of Commerce (SVC) has announced the honorees for its 2024 Titan Awards. Sandi Hendry, James E. Clarke and Keith B. McMullin will received the award at a gala scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
The SVC said the award is its highest honor and goes to “business and community leaders who have demonstrated their long-term commitment to the community by being actively engaged, giving back and making a significant positive impact.” Honorees were selected by the chamber’s executive committee and board of directors.
“The individuals being honored this year add to the remarkable tradition of past awardees known for their exceptional business minds and outstanding contributions to the community,” said Jay Francis, president and CEO of the South Valley Chamber. “Sandi, James and Keith exemplify excellence as both accomplished business leaders and dedicated, caring members of our community.”
“The annual Titan Awards offers the SVC a chance to acknowledge and celebrate leaders who have made a significant impact and difference in Utah,” said Rob Brough, South Valley Chamber board chairman and executive vice president at Zions Bank. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our Titan Award honorees. Their leadership and contributions have made Utah a better place to both live in and conduct business.”
Hendry is the owner and founder of Minky Couture, a growing chain of retail outlets for blankets, robes and accessories. Originally from Orem, Hendry introduced her unique blanket line after her hospitalized daughter asked for a “big baby blanket” to comfort her as she recovered from a long illness. Hendry currently runs six Utah stores with more than 250 employees.
Hendry began her career as a schoolteacher after receiving a degree from Brigham Young University. After 30 years in education, she worked in her husband’s title company before launching Minky Couture. In addition to her retail business, Hendry operates her Heart of Minky program that has donated thousands of Mini Minky blankets to newborn intensive care units nationwide.
Clarke is a founder, investor and operator of private and public companies on five continents with over 36,000 employees globally. He currently serves as the CEO of Clearlink, a company he founded in 2001, sold in 2011 and returned as CEO in 2021
A graduate of BYU and Harvard Business School, Clarke holds an MBA from Oxford University. He serves on several boards of private and public companies, as well as regional and global nonprofit organizations. He serves as the honorary consul to the United Kingdom for the state of Utah and recently finished his tenure as the governor-appointed chair of the Board of Trustees for Utah Valley University.
Clarkes’ family charity, the Labor and Honor Foundation, focuses on poverty alleviation, education and the arts. The foundation’s aim is that through its efforts, it will “improve the lives of others by giving back with humble thanksgiving for life’s many blessings.”
McMullin is the recently retired CEO and president of Deseret Management Corp., the for-profit arm of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He sums up his perspectives on business, leadership and the needs of society, saying, “Business interests, the needs of families and challenges in society are uniquely tied together. A community grows stronger as business leaders and their enterprises unite in furthering the interests of all three. Such unity produces economic growth, productive workforces, wholesome families and vibrant communities.”
A former chair of the Salt Lake Chamber, McMullin serves on the Advisory Board of the David Eccles School of Business. He was a member of the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2012 and was the managing director of the church’s welfare and humanitarian activities. Earlier in his career, he worked for Ford Motor Co. and in several small businesses.
The SVC will also announce the 2024 Small Business of the Year at the Titan Awards event in November.