LIA BRIEFS

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Shane Robins, Class 35, and his wife, Jaime, in the tragic loss of their 18-month-old son, Bayler, in a canal drowning accident on April 20. Our condolences are also sent to family members: Richard Durrant, Class 9 (Grandfather); Kara Hurst, Class 30 (Aunt); and Neil Durrant, Class 34 (Uncle).

We offer our sincere condolences to Dick Rush, affiliate member, for the loss of his father, Kirk Rush, 95 years old. Kirk was a Vocational Ag Instructor for most of his career and farmed on Moscow Mountain. After retiring, he moved to Boise to be close to his sons and their families.

Congratulations to Rep. Gayle Batt, Class 18, who has been named to the Petroleum Storage Tank Fund Advisory Committee by Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter.

Congratulations to Skye Root, Class 33, who was named one of Idaho Business Review’s “Accomplished Under 40” award winners. Skye will be honored at a special event on June 18. Skye is a Regional Investment Manager with Westchester Group Investment Management, Inc.

Congratulations to Jonquil (Rood) Henderson, Class 30, who was promoted to Senior Risk Management Specialist in the Spokane Regional Office of the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). Jonquil has been with RMA since January 2009.

Participants in the LIA D.C. Experience were not the only LIA graduates in Washington, D.C. during their recent visit. In the same hotel were Adam Dirks, Class 30, and his wife, Sara, along with Ron Bitner, Class 3.  Both Sarah and Ron were attending a National Wine Conference. During dinner one evening, the group ran into Dustin Miller, Class 28, who was in D.C. dealing with Sage Grouse issues in his role as Director of the Office of Species Conservation for the Governor. The group also had the chance to have Jonathan Pettit, Class 29, join them for breakfast and a discussion about Jonathan’s new role at EPA as a compliance officer. Mark Duffin, Class 22, was in D.C. for an American Sugar meeting and was able to join the group for a presentation at the American Sugarbeet Association on Monday.

Rick Phillips, Class 1, will be honored for his service as Rotary District 5400 Governor at a ceremony on Thursday, May 7, at 5:30 PM at Taysom Rotary Park in Pocatello.  A tree will be planted in honor of Rick’s service and a travertine rock engraved with the words, “In Honor of Rick and Kerry Phillips, Rotary District 5400, 2014-2015,” will also be installed. The general public is invited to attend.

Good reports have been received from Jaime Deacon, Class 30, whose husband, Lance, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in February. Lance has had three rounds of chemotherapy. After the second treatment, testing showed the tumors were shrinking. Lance is LIA Trustee Karleen Meyer’s son-in-law.

Congratulations to Garren Apple, Class 27, his wife, Michelle, and family on the birth of Zella Elisabeth on April 25. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20” long.

Update from the LIA trustee meeting on April 27:

• LIA alumni dues for the 2015-2016 year will remain the same at $50/individual, $75 for a husband and wife (both graduates), and $1000 for a Lifetime Membership with the option for multi-year payments.
  
• Tuition for Class 36 & Class 37 will remain at $2400, thanks to the excellent financial support LIA is receiving from Session Presenting Sponsors.
  
• Participation in the 2016 Washington, D.C. Experience will be $500 per person.