by AdriAnne Larsen
alarsen@cherryroad.com

The Public Relations Committee of the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce presented the quarterly Outstanding Public Service award to Tabitha Wilson for her continued involvement and commitment to the Uintah Basin community.

Wilson is originally from Arizona, where she began her career in the financial industry in 2007 with the Arizona State Credit Union. During her five years there, she found an interest in community involvement, becoming an ambassador for the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.

Her regular involvement in weekly events there solidified her passion for community work. In 2012, Wilson moved to St. George and went to work for Mountain America Credit Union. This position eventually led her to Vernal in 2014, where she was promoted to branch manager at Mountain America Credit Union in 2016.

This is when her involvement in the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce began, including service as a member of the Hospitality Committee, and the Public Relations Committee. Wilson has been a member of the Dinah-Mites, ambassadors for the Chamber, since 2016 and has served as vice president and president. In 2020, Wilson was elected to the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce. Wilson has also served on the Terra Academy school board for two years.

The Chamber shared that Wilson, “Can often be found volunteering at various community events such as the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, the Esquire RV Show, serving breakfast at the ATV Jamboree, collecting food for the local food pantry, cooking at the Ronald McDonald House, and cooking food for various charity golf tournaments. Each year Wilson provides community service during September with the MACU Cares focus and in past years she has done trash cleanup, painted the BTA bus benches, volunteered her time with the seniors at the care center, put together back-to-school backpacks and more.”

Wilson said that one of her favorite volunteer experiences has been helping with Hotel Vernal Haunt in various capacities the last five years.

At Mountain America, Wilson has worked to help the community by leading her team to proactively refinance millions of dollars of loans per year, something appropriately called “rescued loans” at MACU, putting more than 2,000 individuals and families in the Vernal area into better financial circumstances. Her branch has reached record levels several times under her leadership.

Wilson loves the Vernal area and said she’s always felt welcomed into the community. She loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking, shooting, fishing, and kayaking with family, friends, and of course her two sons.

When she can’t be outside, she enjoys reading, puzzles, escape rooms, board and card games, cooking, and baking.

Wilson is passionate about serving and helping others, whether that be through her work with Mountain America in helping members improve their financial situation or through serving her family, friends, team at work, or serving those in her community.