Congratulations to Travis Jones, Class 28, who was recently named the Executive Director for the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association. Travis, principal of Boise-based Riley Stegner and Associates, will assume the position in June coordinating activities for veterinarians across Idaho.

Sympathy is extended to Aric Frostenson, Class 35, and wife Michelle in the recent passing of Michelle’s father, Aric’s father-in-law.

Sympathy is extended to Kyle Wangemann, Class 36, and wife Emily in the recent passing of Emily’s father, Kyle’s father-in-law.

The filing deadline for candidates for the Idaho Legislature for the May 21 Primary resulted in seeing some familiar names on the filing list. Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member has filed to run for the Idaho Senate. Steve Miller, Class 29, has filed to run for a Representative position. Robert Blair, Class 26, has filed to run for a Senate position. Be sure you are registered and make plans to cast your ballot on May 21.
 
Congratulations to Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41, and wife Alex on the birth of a second daughter, Maitane Morgan born on St. Patrick’s Day weighing 8 lbs. and measuring 19.5” long. Maitane joins big sister Amaia. Also celebrating this birth are grandparents, Suzi Larrocea, Class 4, and Flip Phillips, Class 3. Patxi works at AMG in Meridian as well as farms and ranches on the family operation in Star. 

Congratulations to Craig Chandler, Class 44, who, on March 4, was named Watermaster for Water District #1 in Eastern Idaho. Water District #1 regulates Idaho surface-water diversions from the Snake River upstream from Milner Dam and also regulates surface-water diversions from Snake River tributaries upstream from the Snake River’s confluence with the Blackfoot River.

Rebecca Rutan, Class 33, and husband Dennis celebrated the birth of their second child earlier this year. However, some complications have kept baby Daxton in the hospital with surgeries and procedures. Rebecca and Dennis continue to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Rebecca is employed at AgWest Farm Credit in Nampa. Class 33 has been very supportive of the Rutan’s and I know Rebecca and Dennis would appreciate your prayers as Daxton faces additional surgeries and spends some more weeks in the hospital. 

The U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recently recognized several individuals for their contribution and career success. Included in the list was Laura Wilder, Class 38, who was recognized as the Distinguished Associate Alumni. Laura is currently the Administrator of the Idaho Barley Commission but has worked for the Idaho Beef Council and Idaho FFA Foundation through the years. Laura serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory board as well as a CARET (Council on Agriculture Research, Extension and Teaching) on behalf of CALS. Also recognized was Dr. John Mundt with the Distinguished Retiree Award. Dr. Mundt is not a graduate of LIA, but was a presenter in the Idaho Falls Session on Public Speaking for numerous classes of LIA and served for a period of time as the non-graduate on the LIA Board of Trustees. 

Congratulations to Rod Endow, Class 13, and wife Janet on recently celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The children recently made a comment about how thankful they were to grow up in a Beaver Cleaver Family environment. 

Can you help us? We are trying to find updated contact information for any of the following LIA Alumni. Please email [email protected] if you know their current information. 

• Katie Mink, Class 34
• Aaron Greenwell, Class 33
• Randy Elsberry, Class 6
• Steve Frost, Class 22
• Jeff Williams, Class 10
• Don Kaufman, Class 21

A new grant secured by the U of I will provide training for beginning ranchers in the NW. The grant was for $479,000 for three years. The regional workshop will be titled “Beef 101: Pacific Northwest Beginning Rancher Development Program.” The goal is to host 6 workshops to hopefully reach around 180 producers each year. The teaching team includes several LIA alumni including: Michael Colle, Class 44, Meranda Small, Class 36, and Audra Cochran, Class 39. Phil Bass, an annual speaker in the Moscow Session, will be leading the team and served as the principal investigator for the grant. 

Congratulations to Dana Wood, Class 33, who was recently named Assistant CFO at Idaho Ag Credit to replace Jim Chase, Class 28, who will be retiring. The transition will happen in mid-summer. Dana has been the Manager at American Falls Idaho Ag Credit and will now relocate to the home office in Blackfoot. 

​Scott Jensen, Class 21, Owyhee County Extension Educator for several years has accepted a new position with the U of I CALS and the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho as an Area Extension Range Specialist. Scott will be based out of the U of I Center in Boise, but will spend most of his time in his truck as his traveling office. Scott is also serving as President of the National Association of County Agents.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Patti Harris, Class 26, who passed away on February 22 at the age of 69. Patti had worked most of her career for USDA Farm Service Agency. Patti fought cancer for the past few years after early retirement from USDA. Patti was in attendance at the LIA Congressional BBQ in August and enjoyed her time of fellowship with old friends and meeting new folks – always a delight to Patti.

Katie Baker, Class 42, has announced that she is leaving her position as Executive Director for FARE (Food, Agriculture, Restaurant Establishments). Katie was in on the ground floor of establishing FARE and helped the industry navigate some rough water during the pandemic in 2020-2021. If you are interested in learning more about the position that Katie held, contact the LIA office.

Teri Murrison, LIA Affiliate Member announced her retirement as Executive Director for the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts (ICOLT). Lovina Englund, Class 35, is president of ICOLT. If you want to learn more about ICOLT and the position that Teri is retiring from, contact Lovina at [email protected] or call
208-669-0722.

Front and center at the 2024 LIA Gala and Dinner was Pat Purdy, Class 30, and his family. Pat was presented the Founder’s Club Award during the event that evening. Pat currently serves as a trustee for LIA. Pat serves as Farm Manager of Purdy Livestock Company and as Co-owner/CFO of Purdy Enterprises which owns and operates a number of businesses in Picabo and Boise. 

After 15 years at Association Management Group, Kyra Gibson, Class 35, announced she would be expanding her role and increasing her responsibilities with Lowe Family Farmstead, where she has been working in Community Relations and Human Resources since 2011. Kyra plans to work primarily from home, which will also allow more flexibility and involvement with the activities of her two young daughters. She will continue as the Executive Director for Big I Idaho representing Property/Casualty Companies in Idaho. Lowe Family Farmstead is owned and operated by Jim Lowe, Class 31, and wife Hillary in Kuna. 

The following LIA alumni were presented Lifetime Memberships by the LIA Board of Trustees based upon 20 years of annual membership since their graduation:

• Bas Hargrove, Class 22
• Joe Kennedy, Class 21
• Ronda Hirynck, Class 9
• Chad Neeley, Class 19 

 
Additional Lifetime Membership Awards were presented to the following alumni: 

• Rena Byington, Class 41
• Gabe Flick, Class 41 
• Greg Gipson, Class 40
• Jace Johnson, Class 40
• Trevor Knudsen, Class 43
• Bronson Larsen, Class 43
• Lacey Papageorge, Class 42 
• Deb Easterday Reeves, Class 41
• Cori Wittman-Stitt, Class 40 
• Stephanie Etter, Class 26
• Ryan Franco, Class 43
• Allison Jenkins, Class 43
• Corbin Knowles, Class 43
• Sharayh Krantz, Class 43
• Nate McBride, Class 42
• Nicholas Purdy, Class 42
• Chelicy Wanders, Class 40

The following LIA Alumni were presented 10-year membership awards with the LIA Foundation: 

• Lynn Bachman, Class 31
• Tony Ketterling, Class 31
• Mitch Whitmill, Class 31
• Nate Fowler, Class 33
• Ryan Miller, Class 33
• Mark Zirschky, Class 32

A new record was set for the LIA Gala and Auction - $187,891. This beats the prior record set in 2022 of $160,632. Thanks to everyone for contributions, participation and purchasing to make the evening such a huge success. A special thanks to the LIA auction Committee and the LIA Auction Leadership Team and Development Director, Kendra Dustin, for their work in pulling the annual event together.