Published June 29, 2026

An avid outdoorsman with a self-proclaimed love-hate relationship with golf, Blake beck brings a laid-back personality and competitive spirit to everything he does. Whether he’s spending time outdoors or competing in the rodeo arena, his passion for team roping and approachable nature are just a few of the qualities that make Blake stand out.

Blake’s journey with Mountain West Small Business Finance began in 2012, when he joined the closing department and later advanced to Loan Assistant. He played key roles in the Community Advantage and Six County Loans programs before becoming a Vice President, Loan Officer in 2016. Since then, Blake has been a driving force in Utah County’s growth and beyond.

We caught up with Blake earlier this month, just as summer kicked off, to talk about his work at Mountain West, how he likes to spend his downtime (no, seriously, the roping success is legendary), and some “Blakeisms” we can and cannot print.

[Interview edited for clarity and content.]

MWSBF: How did you get started at Mountain West?

BLAKE: My dad (Bill Beck) worked in banking. He retired from Bank of American For (now AltaBank) and before that he was at Farr West Bank – and they did a bunch ofSBA 504 loans with Mountain West. So, I met a lot of bankers when I was younger through him, which turned out to be key in relationships as I got into 504 lending. Then I started generating new relationships with newer officers, and now here we are.

MWSBF: So, you have those connections, but what ultimately made you want to be part of the Mountain West team as opposed to going to work with your dad?

BLAKE: Honestly, just the culture–knowing people that have worked for Mountain West and the lifestyle and work-life relationships that they had. It seemed like the work-life balance was really good.

MWSBF: Are there any specific projects that you’re most proud of?

BLAKE: There have been so many. But what stands out is when you’re driving down the road, and you can see a building or a project that you know you were a part of, there’s this sense of pride: “Hey, I did that loan.”

Some cool projects for sure that we’ve done in the past stand out: a huge facility for Airsoft Gun. They just wrapped up right along the freeway, big building, and they just have some cool amenities in it.

There was a big baseball facility “3Ple Play” that we did in Pleasant Grove, and now that my kids are involved in baseball, it’s fun to see how many things revolve around that big indoor facility in Pleasant Grove. And it was just featured in our annual report.

MWSBF: Do you do the thing that so many children of MWSBF employees can relate to where you’re driving down the street and pointing out loans/deals you worked on to your kids?

BLAKE: Oh, every time! They get sick of it.

MWSBF: A time-honored tradition. So beyond seeing the deals, what are some of the things you enjoy most about being the loan officer in your specific region – besides Utah County, your focus is Wyoming…

BLAKE: Yes, we’ve done deals in Wyoming and Nevada – but one of the coolest things is seeing those repeat borrowers. I’ve been doing this long enough that I’ve started to get second or third loans with the same borrower.

It’s humbling when you get calls from bankers that you have not talked to in maybe a year or two, but they still have your contact information, and they reach out to you for random questions or new 504 loans.

MWSBF: For those who haven’t been working with Mountain West long, or maybe even some of your more senior clients. What do you wish they understood about the 504 process?

BLAKE: Well, for one: that it is a process. We have a lot of things that we need to go through for regulation purposes—make sure our t’s are crossed and I’s are dotted. So, when we give them a checklist, it’s important that we get all the items on the checklist, not just half.

Unfortunately, we get that quite a bit; but if we get this complete package up front, the entire process is so much smoother. And when we do get a complete application, it’s amazing how fast our team can go through and get a loan approved.

MWSBF: OK so your colleagues talk about ‘Blakeisms’, and it sounds like Mountain West could put out a coffee table book about them. I asked for a few favorites from your colleagues:

“Am I hungry? My belly button is rubbing a blister into my backbone!”
“Some days yer the pigeon, some days yer the statue.”

[I mention a few others but we’re all a little safer keeping them out of print].

So my question is, where did these come from – was it your dad, is it just all you?

BLAKE: [Laughs] My uncles…they were full of them. And working with Mike [Vanchierie], you just get a lot from that.

MWSBF: You are an award-winning roper. You’re an incredible golfer. Let’s talk hobbies. I know you spend a lot of time watching your kids compete: what do you do in your “spare time” or recreation time.

BLAKE: Yeah, a lot of it’s just chasing kids right now. They’re in that super busy stage, but it’s a fun stage to see them work on a craft and compete.

[Blake and his wife Brandi are the parents of four children, two boys and two girls: ages ranging from six to 15.]

My daughters are into competitive cheer; they put a lot of time into that. It’s always great going to their events and getting to watch them compete for two-and-a-half minutes; it’s just six hours leading up to it. [Laughs, again].

One of my daughters plays basketball, and it’s been fun to watch her do that. And the boys do a little bit of everything: baseball, basketball, roping. To be able to watch them and get to work with them has been fun.

MWSBF: Ok, let’s finish up with some rapid-fire favorites:
Favorite hikes?

BLAKE: Bennie Creek in Payson Canyon.

MWSBF: Best place to catch a sunset or sunrise?

BLAKE: Really anywhere in Utah County, you can get some really great sunsets, especially when you can get the pink sky.

MWSBF: Favorite golf course or courses?

BLAKE: Right now I play mostly at Sleepy Ridge; it’s becoming a pretty good course.
It doesn’t happen to be in Utah County, but love to play anywhere up in Heber Valley, Palisades.

MWSBF: Favorite State/National Park to visit?

BLAKE: In Utah I’d say Arches or Bryce.

MWSBF: Is there a special spot your family enjoys?

BLAKE: Honestly, we play a bunch of wiffle ball in the backyard. Yesterday we had all the neighbor boys over who play for the high school team over. My boys actually cut a baseball diamond into our backyard, so…

MWSBF: Outside of your kids’ sports, do you have a favorite sports– college or professional – team you root for?

BLAKE: Hardcore Jazz fan.

MWSBF: Date night restaurant? If you and Brandi can get out, where do you like to go?

BLAKE: You can’t beat Glades in Spanish Fork. It’s just a drive-in.

MWSBF: Favorite Mexican Joint?

BLAKE: Oh man! There’s a bunch of them, but my favorite that I go to is Mi Ranchito.

MWSBF: Best BBQ?

BLAKE: Let’s go “Five Star BBQ” in Orem.

MWSBF: Best steak (outside of the one you’re grilling?)

BLAKE: I’m a fan of Ruby River.

MWSBF: Are you a sushi guy?

BLAKE; Yeah, probably Tsunami.

MWSBF: Dirty Soda or treat spot?

BLAKE: Ohhhh man. [Pregnant pause as he ruminates] I’m a fan of most of them.

MWSBF: What’s your drink?

BLAKE: From Sippin’ I like the Sweaty Yeti.

MWSBF: Best fast-casual favorite?

BLAKE: Back to Glades, I guess.

MWSBF: Best burger?

BLAKE: Well, l put Glades again.

MWSBF: I’m going to have to try this place. Is that the same for best fries?

BLAKE: They’re pretty good. But let’s say Barry’s. [Barry’s Parkview Drive Inn, Spanish Fork].

MWSBF: Shake or ice cream place for a treat?

BLAKE: Coldstone’s always good for ice cream.

MWSBF: Anything that really makes Blake-Blake that we didn’t talk about?

BLAKE: I love going to the National Finals Rodeo in December at UNLV down in Vegas.

MWSBF: Speaking of Rodeo…You competed in the World Series of Team Roping and won in 2019, did you think you were going to win?

BLAKE: No, but I remember looking at the prize line and thinking, “That would be so cool to win,” and then I thought, “Well why can’t I? Just go out and do your job.”

And that “Just go out and do your job” is exactly what has made Blake such a successful loan officer for Mountain West. And the longstanding relationships that Blake has forged are evidence of both his personability and expertise in the industry.

You can reach Blake at BBeck@mwsbf.com or via phone at 801-655-4968