LIA Briefs

Congratulations to David Perry, Class 30, whose daughter was married on December 28. David is the Sr. Director of Research & Development at the Glanbia Cheese Innovation Center where Class 38 visited in December.
 
Congratulations to AJ Mondor, Class 36, who assumed the position of Canyon County Weed Superintendent on January 29. AJ previously had been employed by the Idaho Department of Lands.
 
Congratulations to Jeff Hartman, Class 34, who married Megan on January 27 at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly. Jeff continues his employment with Hartman Farms in Parma.
 
Doug Hoffman, Class 5, has retired from Wilco Farmers where he has served as CEO for the past 23 years. Hoffman has invested a total of 42 years working for cooperatives. When Doug went through LIA, he was the General Manager of Consumer's Cooperative in Weiser. He has been active in the formation of the REAL Oregon program and plans to spend time on humanitarian efforts through Mercy Inc. working in poor countries of the world. 
 
Retiring on January 2 was Jo Lynne Seufer, Class 18, from USDA Risk Management Agency in Spokane, WA. Jo Lynne worked for the agency for 36 years serving on a variety of national, regional and local teams. She plans to hike, bike, cross-country ski, and swim as well as have her husband, Shawn, teach her to golf. 
 
Bret Rumbeck, Class 32, has recently expanded his role at Blue Cross of Idaho. Bret had been a marketing/communication specialist for the insurance company and has now assumed responsibilities in the government-affairs arena. Bret formerly had worked for the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts.
 
Congratulations to Nic Gibson, Class 37, who was recently elected to the Liberty Ministries, Inc. Board of Directors which oversees the operations of a gospel quartet group who performs approximately 160 concerts per year across the U.S. Nic handles the marketing and social media activities for the quartet. 
 
Sympathy is extended to Launa Fowler, Class 32, on the recent passing of her grandmother. Launa is employed at TLK Dairy in Mountain Home.
 
At the annual meeting of the Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association, Greg Branson, Class 23, was elected President of the association. Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, serves as the Executive Director. 
 
LIA Trustee Julie Pipal, Class 18, has assumed the last name of her husband and is now Julie Eavenson. Julie is employed by the Idaho State Bureau of Licensing in Boise.
 
Congratulations to Kyra Gibson, Class 35, and Nic Gibson, Class 37, on the birth of their daughter, Hadley, on Saturday, January 27. This congratulation extends to Auntie Kendra Dustin, Class 32, and Grandpa Rick, Class 8, and Grandma Dorita Waitley. 
 
Class 38 selected the following five individuals to speak before the Governor in February:
Megan Snyder, Nezperce
Marty Lux, Nezperce
Siska Reece, Melba
Scott Leibsle, Boise
Michelle Gooding, Parma
 
Kelly Olson, Class 16, has announced her pending retirement later this year.Rich Garber, Class 2, is heading the search committee for Kelly's replacement as Administrator of the Idaho Barley Commission. Below is the job announcement with application information.


JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
ADMINISTRATOR - IDAHO BARLEY COMMISSION
 
The Idaho Barley Commission is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Administrator. The position is located in either Boise, Idaho or Idaho Falls, Idaho. Minimum requirements include:  Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of five years' experience in a related field, or a minimum of 10 years' experience with cereal grains.  Applicants should demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge of the barley industry and Idaho agriculture in general.
• Experience independently managing an organization or association, with emphasis on personnel supervision, budgeting and board communications.
• Experience in stakeholder and public relations, with an emphasis on producer and industry outreach.
• Understanding of publicly funded agricultural research and ability to oversee research funding contracts.
• Understanding of both domestic and export agricultural marketing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a focus on social media.
• Ability and willingness to travel in-state and out-of-state; travel obligations can be extensive at certain times of the year.

 
Salary for this position is negotiable, depending on qualifications.  Applications should include a cover letter detailing qualifications in all of the stipulated areas above, resume and list of references or reference letters.  Applications be submitted to Mr. Richard Garber, administrator@barley.idaho.gov and arrive no later than February 23, 2018. Applicants may find more details on the Administrator responsibilities on the IBC website at www.barley.idaho.gov.
 
The Idaho Barley Commission is an equal opportunity employer.