POCATELLO — During the two decades Matt Hunter has led the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, business and community leaders throughout the Portneuf Valley have understood his impact.

Now, it appears, the rest of the state — and some beyond it — are taking notice as well.

Hunter recently received the Idaho Business Review’s CEO of Influence Award, a recognition program highlighting business and nonprofit leaders from across Idaho. Recipients are selected for consistently demonstrating strong leadership, integrity, values, commitment to excellence and diversity, according to Idaho Business Review, or IBR. Hunter received the award at an IBR event May 7.

Bill Connors, who recently retired after 16 years as chief executive officer of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, nominated Hunter for the award and said Hunter was one of the first to make him feel welcomed when he arrived in the Gem State from the District of Columbia.

“Pocatello is lucky to have had him for so long,” Connors said. “He does a great job, he’s a great guy. All of us in the chamber world in Idaho and nationally know Matt. He has national respect, not just in Idaho.”

Connors pointed to Hunter’s commitment to professional development as one reason he stands out among his peers.

“He is very active with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and he has earned the Institute for Organizational Management Certificate,” Connors said. “Only a handful of chamber CEOs in the country have their IOM certificate. It’s like getting an MBA in chamber work.”

The Institute for Organizational Management is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s top professional development program and takes several years to complete.

Beyond the chamber, Hunter serves on numerous local and state boards, including the Idaho State University College of Technology Technical Advisory Board, the Business Technology Program Advisory Board, the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, the Idaho Community Foundation, the Eastern Idaho Development Corporation and the 6th Magistrate Commission, to which he was appointed by Gov. Brad Little. He is also a regular presence in Boise during each legislative session, where he advocates for the Portneuf Valley business community.

The IBR noted a sponsorship program the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber put in place more than a decade ago, through which staff meet with members annually to discuss programs and build custom sponsorship packages.

“As a proven leader who’s committed to improving the Gem State locally, regionally and statewide, Hunter says that his success is rooted in always seeking to learn from others around him,” the IBR wrote.

Hunter was characteristically brief when discussing the recognition before pivoting to what he sees as the real value of the event — the connections it creates for the Portneuf Valley.

“It was an honor to be recognized, especially in the western part of the state,” Hunter said. “It’s an honor to serve the business communities of Pocatello and Chubbuck.”

“I will probably continue to go to the event in the future because they invite past winners,” he added. “It’s a great opportunity to meet people and promote Pocatello and Chubbuck.”