Helping others succeed

While the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce has a new face as their CEO, it is one that should be familiar to Valley residents and business owners.

Many people will probably remember Amanda Knotwell from her time working at the Saratoga branch of RNB State Bank for eight years. They also might recognize her with a white shirt and a whistle in her mouth, officiating volleyball games. Then again, they might know her from the Carbon County Fair helping her children groom their show animals.

Needless to say, Knotwell has been involved with the community both on a personal and business level since before coming in as the new CEO.

Having lived in the Valley for 10 years, she grew up most of her life in Carbon County. Raised in Medicine Bow, Knotwell's parents owned the Medicine Bow Market and Hanna Market until Medicine Bow High School closed.

"We actually sold those after the school closed and we moved to Douglas," said Knotwell. "So, I ended up graduating from Douglas and then went to college, got married, had children. That didn't quite work out and me and my husband now reconnected and I moved back here."

Knotwell's husband, Ridge, works for Silver Spur Ranches and manages both the Mill Iron and Cedar Creek ranches outside Saratoga.

Similar to how she took a round-a-bout way to go from Medicine Bow to Saratoga, Knotwell had originally considered applying to be the Chamber CEO following the retirement of Stacy Crimmins but said that "it wasn't time". When the opportunity arose, again, for a new Chamber CEO she took the chance and submitted an application.

While the vacancy had been advertised on March 4, Knotwell says she didn't apply right away but rather applied over the weekend. Then, it was a whirlwind. She was called on March 8, interviewed on March 9 and hired March 10. With just over a month at the job, she said that she feels like she's fitting in and enjoying her new position.

"I love it. I feel like it's an extension of my eight years at the bank because I grew to know everybody there. You get to know people and then you get to missing people. What's great is I love to talk and talk to people and so, with this job, it's been amazing," Knotwell said. "With growing up my whole life here anyway, I know everything of the area. So, that's been helpful. The tourism part is amazing."

According to Knotwell, as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) slowly begins to retreat, she and the board have discussed increasing the amount of interaction between the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce and its 177 members.

"Whether that's a phone call or me going and visiting them, asking what their needs are. If they have slow traffic, talking about ways to promote their business and how," said Knotwell. ""Helping that business to understand their business needs in a way that will improve their business. So, me bringing ideas to them."

Because she has driven all over Wyoming, whether because of volleyball games or show animal events, Knotwell has been able to see what other places in the state have compared to the Valley. On a scale of one to 10, Knotwell said she puts the Valley at a nine. 

"We have everything and people want to be here, that's why we have so much tourism. Do I think we need more for our kids? Sometimes, yes," Knotwell said. "I think we offer something for everyone. I don't know of one person that just sits at home and does nothing. The Valley has so much."

One of the first goals that Knotwell has now that she is at the chamber is bringing back the Chamber After Hour events that allow members and non-members to mingle and talk with each other. A long term goal, however, is to put a face to the organization rather than just have it known as a location within the Platte Valley Community Center and help members in whatever way she can.

Said Knotwell "If I help others succeed that means I succeed as a Chamber CEO."