LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Cathy Ford, Class 26, who was elected chairman of the Idaho Weed Coordinating Committee. The committee is made up of private, state and federal land managers and agencies.  Cathy represents the Idaho Department of Transportation.
 
Speaker of the House Scott Bedke has appointed State Representative Clark Kauffman, Class 13, as a member of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Kauffman is from Filer and is known by many LIA alumni as the "Kauffman Hearty Barley Soup farmer."
 
Bob Evans, Class 32, has been named operating manager at Obendorf Hop Farms near Wilder. Bob has been employed with Simplot as their farm manager of the Caldwell operation for a number of years.
 
Wedding bells rang recently for Joe Anderson, Class 9. Joe and his wife, Leslie, will continue their farming operation in the Genesee area in north Idaho. Joe is a member of the Idaho Wheat Commission.
 
Jana Jones Neiers, Class 23, has recently accepted a position with the University of Idaho in economic development. Jana has been an intricate part of the team at the Boise Valley Economic Partnership for the past 10 years. She will continue to reside in the Treasure Valley.
 
Bob Hays, Class 28, has recently stepped down as chairman of the Meridian Cemetery District. Bob's replacement on the Board of Directors is Dean Langley, Class 9. Dean and his wife, Julia, recently returned from a mission assignment in Ireland.

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Congratulations to the following who received Lifetime Membership recognition at Class 37 graduation:

Ron Bitner, Class 3
Jason Downs, Class 37
Bill Hartman, Class 5
John Hartman, Class 10
Aaron J. Johnson, Class 34
Karleen Meyer, Affiliate
Samantha Ramsay, Class 35
Jason Reynolds, Class 26

Stan Searle, Class 10
Garrett Tschida, Class 35
Jeremey Varley, Class 35
Rick Waitley, Class 8
Kyle Wangemann, Class 36
Kent Whittig, Class 25
Brad Young,  Class 36

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Congratulations also to those recognized for their 10 years of continuous membership with LIA: 

Leah Clark, Class 26
Stephanie Etter, Class 26
Todd Perkes, Class 15
Jason Reynolds, Class 26
Terry Ruby, Class 24

Larry Schoen, Class 26
David Temple, Class 26
James Whittaker, Class 24
Pete Wittman, Class 26
Mark "Zach" Zacharisen, Class 17

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Each year the current LIA class selects a recipient to receive the David Sparrow Stake in the Ground Award. Class members vote for the individual they believe has made the most progress since the first session. For Class 37, the Stake in the Ground Award was presented to JME England. JME lives in Emmett where she is involved in her family ranching operation and also works at a local building supply company. Congratulations, JME!

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The 2017 Washington, D.C., Experience has been changed from April to the latter part of September.  If you would like more information about the trip and this new date, please contact:
Rick Waitley at rick@amgidaho.com