Chase Black
Where Are They Now? | November 2024 | By Ashley Butler
Meet Chase Black,
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Former North Summit FFA member who says that the relationships and connections he built in the FFA have been the most influential and memorable parts about his involvement in the organization, and have continued to serve him not only in his career, but also life.
Growing up on a mink ranch and being a 3rd generation rodeo cowboy, Chase says his first exposure to the FFA was seeing the older kids wearing the blue corduroy jacket at the county fair. Even though he didn’t always know he would be involved in the FFA, he says it’s no surprise that he was drawn to the organization.
“I discovered that the most salt of the earth people, who personified the values I cherished; many were people associated with agriculture.”
Making connections with others is something that Chase learned quite quickly was something that he thrived at.
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As someone who served in chapter officer positions, participated in many different Career and Leadership Development Events including horse evaluation, creed speaking, prepared public speaking, floriculture and more, and then continued on to serve as the State Vice President in 2008-2009, Chase says the leadership and personal management skills he learned have benefited him daily. There is one thing however that the FFA gave him, that he says has truly paved the way and ultimately led him to where he is now; relationships.
Chase says that the path he’s taken started with the relationships and experiences that he gained in the FFA, which then led him to scholarship opportunities, that in turn helped him choose what college to attend, and what degree to pursue, and then finally to the career path he’s now on.
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Chase was a Loan Officer and Senior Loan Officer at Western AgCredit for nine years. He worked with producers in SW Wyoming, Rich and Daggett County, and the wasatch back, analyzing and maintaining operating, equipment, production livestock and land loans along with many others.
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It’s no surprise that he says the best part of the job was the relationships he developed with the clients he worked with.
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“Especially being with them on their operations, closing a loan or completing an inspection with them, as they proudly showed me things they put their heart, soul, sweat, and tears into.”
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He now works as the Chief Deputy Auditor in Summit County, in the office that houses the clerks for the Board of Equalization, assisting people with property value protests and helping property owners/organizations with tax exemptions, such as nonprofit organizations. His team works to certify the tax rates for the county taxing entities, handles the disposal of surplus assets, and conducts the annual tax sale.
Chase says the part he enjoys the most is when he gets the opportunity to answer questions for community members or help them resolve an issue they are having.
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He's grateful for his SAE projects, and the experience of keeping record books. As a loan officer, keeping record books was his main responsibility, and has continued to help him in his current position: working with financial statements, organizing information, and working with spreadsheets.
When asked what advice he would give a high school student that is thinking about joining FFA, Chase said,
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“It is one of the best opportunities they could take advantage of, because there are so many different things to learn and do, opportunities to grow personally and as a leader, awards to win, and relationships to find and cultivate. The FFA has something for you. The experience it gives you, and the person it can help you become will help you succeed no matter what trajectory your life or career path may take.”
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Chase has continued his role in the FFA organization, now as an outstanding alumni member, volunteering his time and serving in many capacities at not only the local level but also statewide!
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“It's important to me to be able to do that because if I can help, even in the smallest way, a member to have a similarly impactful FFA experience as I did, that just makes me smile and feel like I'm passing that forward. There were countless, great influences that helped make my FFA experience what it was, and I hope other members can experience the same.”
