KAYSVILLE—From sitting on the hood of her dad’s car as a 2-year-old to becoming the Vice President of Marketing/Community Relations and Real Estate & Development for Cutrubus Enterprises, Kearston Cutrubus hit the ground running and has never stopped. Cutrubus is this year’s Davis Chamber Women in Business 2023 Athena Award recipient. She will be honored at the annual Athena luncheon, Feb. 23.

“It is very unexpected and humbling,” said Cutrubus. “I’m not one who likes to be the center of attention. I like to be in the background.”

The Athena International Award is given to individuals who “demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession. Someone who provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential,” according to the Chamber.

Cutrubus started working full time in the company in 2009. “It’s a family company,” she said. “My dad and grandpa started it in 1964 as a used car business in Ogden. As it grew they had to start backing away from where they were serving so that became my role, customer and community service. I love the nonprofit world where you can keep the community going.”

 That family legacy of service has carried on as Cutrubus sits on several boards engaged in community improvement efforts. Her involvement includes the Board of Trustees at Weber State University, the Board of Trustees for the Ogden-Weber Technical College, the Executive Committee for the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee, the Board of Directors & Auction Chair for Christmas Box International and involvement in Your Community Connection Family Crisis Center among many others.

“All of these things are a great opportunity to give back and learn from all types of people,” she said. “I’m passionate about education. I want students to have the best opportunity to achieve. The technical college and university pathway is so exciting.”

As Civic Leader for the Air Force Materiel Command, Cutrubus has worked with the military on improving their quality of life. “It can be pretty challenging for the airmen and their families,” she said. “They have to move all the time and change schools. Our state passed the licensor reciprocity bill that allows the spouse who comes to the state with a valid license in a profession to work in that profession here.”

In addition to her career at Cutrubus Enterprises, she also has her own business Kearston’s Basket Case, a gift basket and specialty gift company. “I got the idea when I was pregnant with my youngest son,” she said. “I wished I could find a gift that was already made up so I started making my own. I went to craft fairs and made gift baskets for the annual HAFB awards ceremony.”

Cutrubus said her dad and uncle are still involved in Cutrubus Enterprises. “My dad is 83 and my uncle is 85 and they come to work every single day. That’s the family culture I grew up in. My mom was a hard worker. She was a big hearted person that I learned from.”

Service is a matter of genuinely stepping into an opportunity heart and soul. Cutrubus said. “Make the effort to learn from others. So much of it is not you. Step in and let people guide you and then take the opportunity to help others.” 

The Athena Awards luncheon is Thursday, Feb. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Davis Conference Center in Layton.