Good Time Tyler and the Cache Valley Connection 

Tyler Healey always wanted to live in a small rural community, next to the mountains. When the dream presented itself through an opportunity with Mountain West Small Business Finance, he and his family took the chance and haven’t looked back. Always up for an adventure, Tyler joined Mountain West as a loan officer in January of 2020 and has infused Mountain West with an extra shot of culture (they don’t call him “Good Time Tyler’ for nothing!). His zest for life, passion for his family, the outdoors, and an “up-for-anything” mentality has made him a huge asset to Mountain West. Tyler Healey has been a vital part in Mountain West’s success, helping the company capitalize on growth and expansion opportunities in Cache Valley, Idaho, and beyond. 

[This interview has been edited for clarity and content.] 

MWSBF: Let’s start off and talk a little bit about your history with Mountain West and the community you serve. 

TYLER: First, we love Cache Valley– we have fallen in love with this place. I’ve always wanted to live in a smaller community next to a mountain. At AltaBank, I had used Judd [Blakesley, now MWSBF Senior Lending Officer] as my loan officer and just thought Mountain West was awesome. 

Early on, when I was at AltaBank, my boss sat on the board of Utah CDC. We had always used them for our 504 deals, and I really didn’t know there were other options. One day, Alta hired a new loan officer. He would always take off to play sand volleyball, golf, or go out to lunch.  He just seemed to be connected and had a tight network of bankers. It seemed like he was in the cool kids club of all these bankers. 

I remember asking him how he was so connected and always out doing fun things. He said, “It’s all Mountain West.” Having not heard of our used Mountain West, I asked him about it, and he told me all about Mountain West Small Business Finance. Once I got involved, I wondered, “Why would anyone use anyone else?” 

When I found out that Mountain West had hired a loan officer for Cache Valley, I asked Judd ‘Why didn’t you hire me?’ 

Judd informed me that they (MWSBF) were looking for someone to be in Cache Valley. I was getting tired of working in Salt Lake City and was really looking to move, and Cache Valley seemed perfect. When the position opened up, Mountain West knew I wanted it. 

MWSBF: Obviously you were the right fit. Tell me a little bit about your projects, maybe some of the more recent ones you’re proud of? 

TYLER: We have done so many great projects: from pickleball in Wyoming, to a local honey retailer here in the valley, to gyms and a couple of fly-fishing outfitters. We recently did a grocery store in Cache Valley. It’s a Mom-and-Pop shop called Sam Patch Company. It’s really awesome for the community to have this. 

MWSBF: Loan Officers can cover all sorts of different areas and territories; what’s your area of impact? 

TYLER: I cover Northern Utah—primarily Cache Valley and up into Wyoming (mostly the eastern side), and help out in southern Idaho. Really, we can go everywhere, and I enjoy that. Traveling and seeing these different communities is awesome.  

MWSBF: By all measures, it appears you and your family have really enjoyed integrating yourselves with the Utah State culture, campus, and athletics. I’ve seen your LinkedIn profile; you didn’t graduate from Utah State, so tell me a bit more about that passion that anyone fortunate enough to attend a game with you can see. 

TYLER: My freshman year, I went to Utah State. It is such a fun school trapped in a small valley, so everyone lives and stays on or around campus. I grew up as an avid BYU hater, so any college outside of BYU was on my radar. I went to the U of U and graduated in accounting, but that campus is such a commuter school, and I had way more fun during my time at Utah State. 

It’s so awesome to be in a smaller community. Everything’s like 10 minutes away, so it is easy to sign kids up for events, and you figure: “Why not go?”  

It is so fun to go to these events and share this awesome experience. For example, The Spectrum (Utah State’s Basketball Arena) has such a different feel to it. We have loved to go and be part of events. 

MWSBF: Along those lines, most people who know about Mountain West’s history understand that the former CEO and founder Scott Davis is a huge Utah State fan. I know he still loves to attend events and he’s there with you in the Mountain West seats. Talk to me a little bit about the relationship between you two and that connection. 

TYLER: It’s been an awesome opportunity to get to know Scott and see what a diehard fan he is…I was surprised when I found out that he did not graduate from USU because he is such a huge fan.  Scott lives in Salt Lake and commutes to all the games regardless of the start time and for the most part, the weather. To find out that he became a huge fan as an adult (his daughter was a cheerleader at Utah State) was crazy. 

He’s such a huge supporter, and we’ve been able to take advantage of so many of the perks that he’s brought. He’s so loved at that university and on campus; all the bankers know him and love seeing him. He’s such a fixture, and he’s part of the culture and experience. 

MWSBF: That’s amazing. Besides the Utah State culture, tell me about Cache Valley itself and what makes it different or unique as a market. 

TYLER: It is so unique. There’s a finite number of lenders, and I get to strategically market to these amazing lenders. We spend time doing what they love. For some, it’s eating out; others have very specific hobbies like golf, fishing, basketball, music… we’ve even attended some concerts. I love all of them and doing all those things. It’s fun to meet their spouses, and in some cases their kids… it all leads to those connections that make a difference. 

MWSBF: All indicators show that you’ve really got that market dialed in; what are some things you’re seeing in Wyoming, and what are some of the differences in the market? 

TYLER: Yes, Utah bankers are so educated about 504; they know the tricks-of-the-trade. Wyoming is more like the Wild Wild West. 504 is not the first thought for these lenders, so there’s a lot of education that needs to happen each time we do a deal. Most of the time, when we meet with Wyoming lenders and educate them about the 504 product, they start finding and doing 504s. We have to remind [lenders] that the 504 is another option when they’re financing owner-occupied real estate. 

There’s a lot of training, a major focus on getting out there, and helping them understand how to structure a 504 loan. One of the things we help them understand is how efficient the process is with Mountain West. And this isn’t just for Wyoming bankers, but for all of our lenders. 

MWSBF: OK, let’s shift gears a little bit and talk about Tyler the human outside of work, although it sounds like you get to incorporate a lot of your hobbies working for Mountain West. I’ve heard you’re a great golfer. 

TYLER: (Laughs.) I have a love-hate relationship with golf. I spend so much time playing and practicing just to suck at golf.  I need a new hobby that shows me a little more love.  

MWSBF: OK, what other Hobbies do you have outside of golf? 

TYLER: I really enjoy fishing. There are a lot of bankers that like to fish, and we have actually done a couple of fly fishing outings.   

I really like music, and it’s been fun to take lenders to different concerts. We saw Chevelle up in Idaho a few months ago and attended the Yellow Card concert at the Real Salt Lake Stadium. It’s been so fun to do these types of events with bankers. 

I have four awesome kids, and I coach a lot of youth sports. I coach for my 11-year-old son’s Lacross team. My wife played lacrosse growing up and wants all our kids to play. She knows way more and is way better than me, but somehow, I fell into the coaching position. 

I also coach my son’s 11U baseball team and my daughters’ 12U softball team. The girls are so fun to coach as it’s an hour-long dance party. 

I also coach little league football. I am not a huge football fan, so I’d say I’m really good at being a hype-man and getting the kids pumped up.  

MWSBF: Anyone who’s had the pleasure of spending time with you knows you bring the vibes. And with that, I think it’s time to move on to our speed round. We’ll start with “Recreation.” What’s your favorite hike? 

TYLER: Wind Caves, Logan Canyon. 

MWSBF: Best place to catch a sunset? 

TYLER: My front porch. 

MWSBF: Favorite Golf Course/s – 

TYLER: Up here, Birch Creek. 

MWSBF: Best trail/s to bike? 

TYLER: Providence Canyon. 

MWSBF: Favorite State / National Park? 

TYLER: Glacier. 

MWSBF: Family “funtime” spot you enjoy? 

TYLER: Red Fleet Reservoir in Vernal, Utah. 

MWSBF: Favorite team/sport to cheer for or favorite venue? 

TYLER: We’re Dodgers Fans. 

MWSBF: How do you like to spend downtime? 

TYLER: Play guitar. 

MWSBF:  Best date-night restaurant? 

TYLER: El Toro Viejo 

MWSBF: Best Thai? 

TYLER: Thai House. 

MWSBF: Best Indian? 

TYLER: Tandoori Oven (Logan, UT). 

MWSBF: Favorite Sushi? 

TYLER: Tsunami. 

MWSBF: Dirty Soda/Treat Spot? 

TYLER: I’m a classic SWIG guy, their Texas Tab. 

MWSBF: Best burger and fries? 

TYLER: Five Guys. 

MWSBF: Favorite shake/icecream spot? 

TYLER: Coldstone. 

MWSBF: Favorite Italian? 

TYLER:  Sicilia Mia in Farmington. 

MWSBF: And for our final take, any genre I didn’t ask about? 

TYLER: Peruvian, at Sabores [International Cuisine] in Logan for the lomo saltado. 

[This joint was famously featured on Eps. 10, Season 32 of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.] 

Tyler Healey is a loan officer for Mountain West Small Business Finance and can be reached at thealey@mwsbf.com.