Ray Stark to Receive Chamber Hall of Fame Award

BOISE, ID – The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Ray Stark, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations and Events of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is the 2020 recipient of the Chamber’s Hall of Fame Award. Stark is the eighth recipient of this award, following Candi Allphin in 2019, Dave Terrell in 2018, Dr. Bob Kustra in 2017, and Dennis Johnson in 2016.

Stark was selected for the award for his everlasting contributions to the betterment of the Chamber and support for its mission to advocate for a vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life. Stark will be honored at the 2020 Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Boise Centre.

Stark was hired at the Boise Metro Chamber in 1990 as the Government Affairs Manager and has spent the last 30 years in government advocacy for the Chamber. Stark will retire as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs in 2020.

Stark’s accomplishments over the years are extensive and notable. One of Stark’s most distinguished accomplishments was planning the Chamber’s Annual Leadership Conference that will celebrate 27 years this spring. The Leadership Conference focuses on bringing together businesses in the region along with elected officials to breakdown barriers between counties and cities and regional solutions for transportation, economic development, workforce and air quality.

The inaugural Mayor’s State of the City Address was also spearheaded by Stark with the first presentation by Mayor Dirk Kempthorne in 1990. The event has turned into a staple performance for the Chamber and city to highlight various initiatives and still continues today.

Stark has led a passionate career making Boise a great place to live and work. Stark’s public policy successes have included lowering the corporate income tax, widening I-84, the start up of College of Western Idaho, bonds for the Boise and West ADA school districts, classroom buildings for Boise State University, and funding for the Ada County Highway District.

“For thirty years Ray Stark has been the heart and soul of the Boise Metro Chamber,” said Bill Connors, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. “His institutional knowledge of all things Idaho is unsurpassed in this state. I’m grateful to have had the honor of working alongside one of the most decent and beloved figures in Boise’s history. His tenure had made us all successful, and I hope the entire community can come show their appreciate to one of the most humble, yet successful ‘community advocates’ in the nation.”

Stark has always been an active member in the community serving on several boards and panels. Stark was past chairman of the Boise Philharmonic Association and serves on advisory boards for Boise State University, the University of Idaho and Bishop Kelly High School.  In 2007 the University of Idaho awarded Stark with the Silver and Gold Award – honoring his contributions to his career, community, and charity. In 2017 Governor Butch Otter appointed Ray to serve on the state’s Higher Education Task Force. A long-time sports fan, Stark also served as Boise State Football’s scoreboard operator for 41 years.

Before joining the Boise Metro Chamber, Stark served twelve years on staff at the Idaho State Legislature. His duties included financial analysis with an emphasis on higher education, health and welfare, prisons and the state’s building program. Stark graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Idaho with undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History and a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA).

Registration for the 2020 Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards Luncheon is open at https://www.boisechamber.org/chamber-excellence-awards.html.

About the Boise Metro Chamber: Established in 1883, the Boise Metro Chamber strives to be the leading business advocacy organization in the Boise Valley. The Boise Metro Chamber is a private, nonprofit, membership-driven organization comprised of more than 1,800 business enterprises, civic organizations, education institutions and individuals. Its mission is to provide leadership that will help create regional economic prosperity and success for its members.

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