Today the Mountain West Capital Network awarded its Entrepreneur of the Year award to Alan Hall.  Mr. Hall is well known as the founder of Marketstar, one of Ogden's true success stories.  What is more commendable about Mr. Hall, however, is how much of his own money he has spent trying to help the entrepreneurial endeavors of other Utahns.  Mr. Hall is the founder of Grow Utah Ventures, Launch magazine  and Mercato Partners.  With such a background, you could almost forgive an "Aren't I great" kind of speech.

Mr. Hall's acceptance was just the opposite.  While acknowleding the economic challenges we face, he was full of optimism and made a convincing case that entrepreneurism is the solution to our current woes.  At every turn he expressed appreciation for those who had helped him learn valuable lessons along the way and made it clear that his efforts in community service are merely repayment for what he has received. 

Occasionally you hear a successful person express appreciation and deflect praise to others.  Mr. Hall did so as well, but in such a manner that it is clear he really believes it.   The Mountain West Capital Network could not have made a better choice.