Chamber Inspiration Luncheon "Rambling with Ralph: 75 Years of Dixie" with Ralph Atkin

What does Cafe Rio, SkyWest Airlines and Red Hills Golf Course have in common?  Ralph Atkin.  Ralph Atkin was instrumental in not only starting these successful businesses, but starting them in southern Utah.  At this April Inspirational luncheon, we'll learn of Ralph's businesses successes and failures and hear his advice to the local business community.

About J. Ralph Atkin
Mr. J. Ralph Atkin, a life long resident of St. George, Utah, a graduate of Dixie State College, (AS), Brigham Young University (BS) Accounting, Golden Gate University (MBA) and received his JD From the University of Utah in 1970.  He is a member of the Utah State Bar, as well as a member of the state Bar's Business Law and Probate/Trust Law sections.  Mr. Atkin was elected the Washington County Attorney in 1970 and served one term.  Mr. Atkin served as the Director of Economic Development for the State of Utah from 1991 to 1993.  In this role he planned, organized, and conducted several trade missions with the Governor of the State of Utah; these missions were in Asia, Mexico and Europe and Washington D.C. Prior to that, he served as the Chairman of teh Utah Travel Council for nine years.  He has maintained a private law practice in St. George with his emphasis in Business and Estate planning.
Mr. Atkin is the founder of SkyWest Airlines (1972), retired as its Chairman in 1992 and retired from its Board in 2016.  SkyWest Inc. is a public company.  He was involved in several mergers and acquisitions in addition to being heavily involved in the initial public offering of SkyWest stock.
Mr. Atkin has created Airlines in Europe (Austria 1995) and West Africa (Ghana 2005).  With both airlines, he dealt directly with many levels of government including the President of Ghana.  He is also a member of the National Advisory Council (NAC) for Dixie State University.  He and his wife have been co-chairs of the Centennial Campaign Committee and knows well the strains of "dialing for dollars."  He also served on the Board of TruHearing, Inc. a private company until its successful exit in 2018.  He recently taught an Entrepreneurial Business class at DSU with other retired CEOS to a class of 11 students.
He is married to Cheri Bennet Atkin, (A.S., Dixie State College, B.S., BYU and M.S., U of U.) They have eight children and twenty-five grandchildren.  Mr. Atkin holds a private pilots license (single/multi engine ratings).  In his youth, he served an LDS Mission to England and most recently, he and his wife served as Public Affairs Volunteers in Turkey for the LDS Church.  The Atkins' enjoy travel, golf and tennis in addition to church, community and educational service but his family has always come first.