St. George Area Chamber honors trio

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2022 Areté award honorees. The organization said the honors are the highest recognition offered to business and community leaders in Washington County.

The 2022 Areté honorees include Stephen Wade, founder and chairman of Stephen Wade Auto Center; Wayne Provost, director of the Innovation Guidance and Solution Center at Dixie State University; and Terri Kane, former regional vice president of Intermountain Healthcare in Southern Utah.

“On behalf of the SGACC board of directors, we are excited to recognize these outstanding members of our community for their dedication to excellence and honorable efforts toward improving conditions in their sphere of influence,” said Kyle Case, incoming chairman of the chamber.

“These individuals have had an enormous impact in our community and over the life of their careers,” the chamber said in a release. “The Areté award recognizes individuals for their exemplary leadership, innovation in business and service in the community. They have lived up to their full potential, which is the definition of Areté.”

“Our 2022 Areté honorees have changed the trajectory of the St. George area, creating thousands of jobs and spurring unprecedented economic activity,” said Don Willie, president and CEO of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. “More importantly, Stephen, Wayne and Terri are each humanitarians who have donated their time and resources to lifting individuals and organizations around them. It is our great honor and privilege to recognize their life’s work during our annual Foundation Gala.”

Stephen Wade, a first-generation auto dealer, moved to St. George in 1993 and opened Stephen Wade Honda/Mazda. Three years later, he opened an automotive collision center. By 2018, he grew Stephen Wade Auto Center significantly by adding Nissan, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Mercedes-Benz to his family of dealerships.

“Stephen has a special love for people, and is passionate about helping others and building strategic, mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships within the community,” the chamber said. “One reason why he has become very influential in Southern Utah is due to his unwavering persistence in seeking out and finding solutions.”

Provost has been referred to as “one of the most interesting people in the world.” “Doc,” as he’s called by peers, has helped over 200 individuals through the patent process at Dixie State University by helping with prototype construction and proof-of-concept analysis.

Since the passing of his 17-year-old son Dusty, Provost has dedicated his life to helping individuals and institutions to develop new ideas, including his most recent patent, the illuminated infusion line by the company MedLite ID.

Kane retired as regional vice president of Intermountain Healthcare for Southern Utah with more than 30 years of experience in nursing, hospital operations, corporate operations and executive leadership. Kane oversaw the hospital’s transition to the new campus where St. George Regional Hospital currently resides. She was responsible for the development and deployment of best care practices and optimal care models across the organization.

With a foundation as a nurse, Kane has been recognized locally and nationally and served as president of the Neonatal Nurses National Association and received the Utah Hospital Association’s Distinguished Healthcare Executive award and Intermountain’s Nursing Excellence award.

The 2022 Areté honorees will be recognized at the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Gala on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6 pm.