Our Team

Curtis Blair

CEO, President

Curtis Blair currently serves as the President and CEO for the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. A seasoned entrepreneur, Curtis has spearheaded the creation of multiple ventures and holds advisory positions on several esteemed boards, including the UVU Foundation and Adoptionlifeagency.Org, and is currently the UVU Wolverine Club Chair. With a Bachelor’s degree from BYU’s College of Humanities, Curtis possesses a profound admiration for diverse cultures, cultivated through business dealings spanning 14 countries. His inclusive approach has forged enduring connections across a spectrum of backgrounds. When he is not leading the Chamber, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa Erickson Blair, and their five children. Supporting UVU and BYU athletics, golfing, competing in triathlons, and making his famous white-egg omelet.

Anya Searle

Government and Community Affairs

Anya is from Ladera Ranch, California. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Brigham Young University, where she also graduated as a magna cum laude Wheatley scholar with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and a minor in Music. Before joining the Chamber as its government and community affairs liaison, she worked on policy and program management with a Washington, D.C.–based nonpartisan nonprofit, a think tank, and her alma mater, BYU.

Outside of work, Anya is usually planning her next trip, trying out a new recipe, or diving deep into a policy topic no one asked her to research.

anyas@thechamber.org

Karina Blocker

Director of Marketing and Communications

Karina grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. She graduated this July from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a degree in Business Management – Marketing. Before graduating, she interned at Rippl Marketing and the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Karina also worked as an assistant scheduler on the Larry Elder for Governor Campaign. She loves collaborating with others toward a common goal and enjoys seeing businesses grow and become more efficient through different marketing strategies. She also loves anything outdoors, especially rock climbing and hiking with her family and friends.

karinab@thechamber.org

Emily Giles

Director of Events and Executive Experience

Emily was born and raised in Billings, Montana. A Utah Tech University graduate (2024) with a degree in Business Management and an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. While there, she spent two years in the Utah Tech Student Association as the Director of Social Events, where she planned and executed large-scale events for the student body (1,500–5,000 students). Emily is inspired by authentic connections, meaningful change, and continuous improvement—values that guide both her professional work and personal pursuits. Outside work, she runs her own photography business and loves spending time with her husband and daughter.

emilyg@thechamber.org

Maddy Pond

Events Specialist

Maddy grew up in Longview, WA, which is an hour away from the ocean, the mountains, and lakes. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Experience Design and Management from the Marriott School of Business. After graduating, she interned with FamilySearch. She helped plan and execute the online portion of the RootsTech 2026 event, which drew millions of participants. She loves designing human-centered events for communities where people can connect, network, and make meaningful relationships. She loves the ocean, hiking with family and friends, and designing florals for special events!

maddyp@thechamber.org

Isaac Harmer

Government and Community Affairs Intern

Isaac was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Utah. He is currently a sophomore at Brigham Young University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics. He enjoys working as part of a team, contributing to meaningful causes, and continuously learning and growing. In his free time, he enjoys trail running, climbing, and spending time in the beautiful Utah mountains.

isaach@thechamber.org

David Erickson

Financial Controller

David Erickspn is a retired CPA with extensive experience in corporate financial controllership, primarily in California’s Bar Area. In addition, he has a background working with charter school development and management accounting in Utah and Arizona. David holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from BYU and began his professional career in San Francisco. In his free time, he enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with Becky and their family.

davide@thechamber.org