LIA Briefs

On October 12, Dan Mattson, Class 28, concluded 33 years of service to USDA Farm Service Agency. Not only is Dan changing occupations to start a new career, but his family is relocating to a new home in Moscow where Dan will become a VP, Commercial Relationship Manager for Columbia Bank in Pullman, WA.
 
Julie Burkhardt, Class 22, recently was appointed to the Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission. Julie stated, "I'm not sure it's that big of honor - it's just MORE WORK!"
 
Scott Jensen, Class 21, recently was elected to a two-year term on the National Association of County Agricultural Agents as a western regional director. Scott current serves as the Owyhee County Extension Educator.
 
Congratulations to Mark Pratt, Class 11, and Wendy Pratt, Class 35, on the engagement of their son, Seth, who works for Context, an ag communications business, and who is involved in the family farming and ranching operation in Firth. Seth and his fiancée, Leah Gibson, are planning a wedding in June 2019.
 
Rick Waitley, Class 8, will be teaching an Effective Meetings workshop in Blackfoot on Tuesday, November 13, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The workshop is scheduled to be held at Idaho Ag Credit in Blackfoot. For more information, contact Rick at [email protected]. The workshop is open to LIA alumni and friends.
 
Orientations are being held around Idaho for LIA Class 39 participants. Rick and Dorita Waitley are touring the state to meet with participants and their spouses to explain the LIA experience, which will start in November in Moscow.
 
Recently, a Personal Property Tax Tour was held in the Treasure Valley for the staff of the Idaho Tax Commission. Helping to coordinate the event and to tell the story of agriculture and personal property taxes, were Candi Fitch, Class 28, Idaho Hop Commission Administrator; Michelle Gooding, Class 38, hop grower; and Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, with Food Producers of Idaho.
 
Crystal Wilson, Class 36, who works for Dairy West, recently completed a Gallup's Accelerated Strengths Coaching course. In a few weeks, Crystal will take the exam and complete six coaching sessions, and once she has passed the exam, she will be a certified Gallup's Strengths Coach.
 
LIA GRADUATES don't just remain in Idaho after completing the LIA program. Here is a list of the states where LIA graduates currently reside:
Washington - 38
Oregon - 22
Utah - 10
California - 6
Montana - 5
Arizona - 4 
North Dakota - 4
Colorado - 2
Iowa - 2
Maryland - 2
Tennessee - 2
 
Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin join the ranks with one graduate in each state.
 
REMEMBER... dues for LIA are payable NOW. The new 2018-2019 LIA Directory is at the printer! As soon as they arrive, they will be mailed to all Lifetime and alumni members along with the first LIA Foundation Annual Report. Be sure your dues are paid in order to receive your copy of both. You can pay your dues online at www.leadershipidahoag.org/membership.
 
The U of I CALS recently held their Alumni Awards Luncheon. Being honored at that event were: Joe Anderson, Class 9, from Genesee for "Distinguished Alumni" and Joe Stewart, Class 16, from Nampa for "Distinguished Associate". Another recipient of the award was Mary Lee Wood for "Distinguished Retiree". Mary Lee was a Friend of LIA award winner in 2002 and taught a number of classes on workstyle personality traits for LIA participants through the years.