FISCAL_fitness.

• Author: Mountain America
• Position: SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

BACKGROUND Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mountain States Marketing and Sales is among the top flooring distributors in the Intermountain West. The company was founded by Dean Zekas and has provided flooring products and distribution options to customers in Utah, Idaho, Colorado and parts of Nevada for more than 42 years. Over the years, Zekas has learned the value of having a personal relationship with a local financial partner like Mountain America Credit Union.

After working as -a booking agent for a local rock 'n' roll venue, Zekas wanted to find a career and lifestyle that was more conducive to family life and started a floor covering and supply business. "We began with a customer base of contractors and carpet layers but soon expanded to a larger customer base," said Zekas. "Currently we serve three types of consumers: flooring contractors, retail stores and institutional buyers like school districts, governmental agencies and hospitals."

The initial 2,000-square-foot office and warehouse soon became inadequate for Mountain States to house its expanding selection of flooring commodities, installation tools and supplies. In 1995, Mountain States purchased four acres of land and constructed an industrial park anchored by Mountain States and its innovative 26,000 -square-foot facility with offices, showroom space and a docking bay to accommodate the simultaneous loading of five semi-trailers.

THE SITUATION After years of rapid expansion, Mountain States settled into its new surroundings with a steady flow of business. Zekas grew frustrated with his financial partners as they became less responsive to his financial needs and the increasing fees that impacted his overall profitability. Zekas commented, "They had lost their personalized service."

Zekas began the search for a financial institution that he could trust with his...