LIA Briefs

Sympathy and support is extended to the family of Roger Clark, Class 13, in the passing of his mother in mid-December. The week prior, Roger had supported the family in the loss of his mother-in-law. Adam Clark, Class 38, is Roger's son and also lost both grandmothers in a two-week period.
 
Congratulations to Carly Schoepflin, Class 34, who has been named Director of Communication and Strategic Initiatives for the University of Idaho College of Ag and Life Sciences. Carly grew up on a family farm near Great Falls, Montana. For the past five years, she has been serving CALS as Alumni and Donor Relations Manager.
 
Congratulations to Jen Root, Class 35, who has been promoted to Senior Director of Development for the College of Ag and Life Sciences. Jen had been serving as Director of Development.
 
Congratulations to Richard Durrant, Class 9, who has recently been elected Ada County Farm Bureau President. Neil Durrant, Class 34, serves on the Board of Directors along with Leah Clark, Class 26.
 
Christmas will be exciting for Nathan Groth, Class 37, and his family as they celebrate in their newly built home in Troy. Nathan continues his employment with CHS Primeland.
 
Candi Fitch, Class 28, was elected president of Food Producers of Idaho at their annual meeting held on December 13. Candi works for a number of commodity organizations.
 
At the 2017 annual meeting of Idaho Ag in the Classroom, Stephanie Etter, Class 26, was elected president of the Board of Directors, Candi Fitch, Class 28, was elected vice president and Jim Lowe, Class 31, was elected secretary/treasurer.
 
Congratulations to Crystal Wilson, Class 36, who was named one of the recipients of Idaho Business Review's Women of the Year for 2018.
 
The LIA Board of Trustees, two representatives from the LIA Succession Committee, and selected former trustees met on December 11-12 for a strategic planning session with facilitator Dr. David Alexander. Board of Trustees Chairman RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33, stated that the time and talent invested in the process was greatly appreciated and that the plan will be significant for the future of LIA.
 
The new director of the Idaho Department of Commerce is Bobbi Jo Meuleman. She had been presented with the LIA Friend of the Industry Award in 2016. Ms. Meuleman is from Montana and came to Idaho after working on Capitol Hill for a Montana senator.
 
LIA alumni coming to the 2018 Idaho Ag Summit Legislative Strolling Dinner on Monday night, February 19, will need to plan to attend the event at the Boise Centre. This new venue provides greater space for the event. The Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit and the Governor's luncheon will be held at the Red Lion the next day, February 20. More information on this event available at www.idahoagsummit.org.
 
Patxi Larrocea-Phillips will be working out of the AMG office serving as a legislative intern for Food Producers of Idaho for the 2018 session. Patxi is a senior law student with the University of Idaho College of Law (Boise campus). Patxi is the son of Flip Phillips, Class 3, and Susi Larrocea, Class 4.