ETA Utah Chapter
Utah’s Official Chapter for Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
Utah punches above its weight in business.
It’s time we do the same in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition.
Our story
The ETA Utah Chapter convenes Utah’s small business acquisition community to learn faster, meet the right people, and do better deals.
A chapter of Durable, Utah’s Business Commons.
A home for ETA in Utah
ETA is a team sport - it thrives on relationships, reps and the right room. .
The ETA Utah Chapter exists to bring that room to life so Utah becomes a real hub for acquisition entrepreneurship across the state.
Attend The ETA Utah Chapter Kickoff Event
Join Utah’s ETA community or an evening of conversation, connection, and hear about the direction of the chapter.
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah
Built for the full ETA ecosystem
ETA Utah connects these groups into a shared home for acquisition entrepreneurship in Utah — with a focus on long-term ownership and community.
Searchers (funded + self-funded)
Independent sponsors
Search fund investors (individuals + institutions)
Operators & CEOs (current + aspiring)
University partners (students, faculty, entrepreneurship programs)
Service providers (lenders, attorneys, accountants, brokers, insurance, diligence teams)
Where ETA Utah Fits
The ETA Utah Chapter is designed to support acquisition entrepreneurship across every stage of the journey
Early search – Build relationships with other Utah-based searchers, learn from experienced operators, and develop pattern recognition before your first deal.
Active search – Pressure-test thinking, hear candid ownership stories, and stay grounded while navigating deals, diligence, and decision-making.
Post-acquisition – Stay connected to peers, share lessons learned, and help shape the next generation of owners in Utah.
Ecosystem partners – Engage with serious searchers and operators in a non-transactional, trust-based setting.
Built for the community.
By the community.
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Utah Valley University
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The University of Utah
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Brigham Young University
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Decada Group
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Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
Durable is a community platform funded by Decada Group, and empowered and led by community members helping shape the future of Utah’s ETA Community.
The ETA Utah Chapter Advisory Board
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Heather Griffith Barber
Heather Griffith Barber co-founded and grew Queen of Wraps over two decades before exiting the business. She now advises established small business owners through the $1M–$20M growth phase and ownership transitions, and is the author of That’s a Wrap.
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Scott Holley
Scott Holley led the search-fund-backed acquisition of Eddyline Kayaks and served as CEO through its growth into a category-leading brand, culminating in a successful sale in 2025. He is now the Executive Director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah.
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Dave Gilbert
David Gilbert is the CEO and Partner at Proven, where he advises construction, trades, and real estate companies through fractional executive leadership, accounting, and HR support. He brings over 20 years of experience building and scaling businesses, including multiple acquisitions and hands-on operating roles.
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Caroline Chapdelaine
Caroline Chapdelaine is the CEO of Northstar Photonics, where she leads a defense-focused business serving U.S. Department of Defense platforms. Her background includes military service, large-scale defense programs, and firsthand experience leading through operational and financial pressure.
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Reid Tileston
Reid Tileston teaches Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition at BYU’s Marriott School of Business and Case Western Reserve University and is the author of Grit It Done. He brings an operator-first perspective shaped by acquiring, growing, and exiting businesses, serving on ETA company boards, and the discipline required to summit Mount Everest.
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Seth Jenson
Seth Jenson is the Director of the UVU Entrepreneurship Institute, where he leads experiential “build-a-business” programs for students and aspiring owners. His work focuses on early-stage entrepreneurship, business strategy, and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition.
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Kyle Poll
Kyle Poll is the Chief Executive Officer of GetOutPass and Pogo Pass, following the merger of the two businesses at the end of 2024. He brings firsthand experience leading teams through growth, acquisitions, and a merger as an operator.
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Chase Murdock
Chase Murdock is an operator, investor, and advisor focused on long-term work. He is the CEO of Decada Group and co-owner of Durable, where he builds enduring businesses, exercises judgment, and supports leaders who take responsibility seriously.
If you’re a Utah-based searcher, operator, or ecosystem partner interested in engaging with ETA Utah, we’d love to stay connected. Join below for updates on upcoming gatherings and announcements.
It’s free. And we’d love to have you.