LIA Briefs

​Carl Rey, Class 15, has been reappointed by Governor Butch Otter to serve a second three-year term on the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board. The board contracts with USDA Wildlife Services/APHIS to monitor problem wolf packs in the state and provide lethal control where necessary.
 
John Hartman, Class 10, has been re-elected to another three-year term on the United Onions USA, Inc., Board of Directors. United Onions USA, Inc., is an onion marketing cooperative serving southern Idaho and southeastern Oregon.
 
Wedding bells rang for LIA Trustee Julie Pipal, Class 18, and Jim Eavenson on June 21 in Emmett. Julie continues her work with Idaho Trucking Association. She and Jim live with her sons in Meridian.
 
Sympathy, prayers, and support are extended to the family of Eric Beck, Class12, who passed away on Sunday, July 30, after a battle with brain cancer. His son, Cortney, Class 34, will help his mother, Julie, and Eric's son-in-law continue operating the family farm in Menan, Idaho.
 
Tragic news was received on Monday, July 31, when it was reported that Dr. Samantha Ramsay, Class 35, had been struck and killed by lightning while mountain climbing in Switzerland. Samantha lost her husband, Rob, to brain cancer one year ago. Their two sons, ages 9 and 12, will now live with Samantha's sister. Dr. Ramsay was known for her research in child nutrition and for the last two years was a presenter in the Moscow session.
 
The stork is visiting the LIA family frequently and it is hard to keep up with all of the news! Brad Griff, Class 36, and wife, Brianna, are expecting their first child - a boy - in mid-November. Nic Gibson, Class 37, and Kyra Gibson, Class 35, are expecting their first child in late January. Yes, that means that Rick Waitley will be a grandpa!
 
Great news has been received from our neighbors in Oregon. At the time of this writing, they had 32 applications for their first leadership class - REAL Oregon. Congratulations!
 
The deadline for Class 38 applications has been extended past August 1 due to a number of factors. Completed applications need to be received in the LIA office by Monday, August 21, to be considered at the Selection Committee meeting on Friday, September 8.
 
To our Treasure Valley LIA Alumni and friends:  Watch your mail for a postcard coming soon announcing an Alumni BBQ at the Waitley home on Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 PM. This is a family event and we look forward to having you join us for great food and fellowship.
 
If you are interested in being considered as a co-chairman for LIA Class 38, please let Rick Waitley know - call him or send an email. The dates of the four sessions are listed on the LIA website - www.leadershipidahoag.org.
 
Don't let your LIA membership lapse! Dues for 2017-2018 are payable any time after July 1. Mail a check or pay online at our website. (Class 37 does not need to pay until July 1, 2018.)
 
LIA alumni members elected the following to the Advisory Committee:  Julie Pipal, Class 18; Jim Lowe, Class 31; Adam Duckett, Class 33; and Kyle Woods, Class 32. At a recent meeting of the committee, Kip Dennis, Class 19, was elected Chairman and Neil Durrant, Class 34, was elected Vice Chairman. The Advisory Committee meets more frequently than the Board of Trustees to deal with operational issues and policies of the LIA Foundation.
 
POSITION OPEN:  Many of you have worked directly with Joanne York during your LIA experience in recent years. Joanne has announced her retirement as of October 31. Association Management Group is in the process of looking for a replacement for Joanne, whose responsibilities include a great deal of involvement with the LIA program and participants, alumni, and LIA correspondence. If you know of someone who might be interested in applying for the position, please contact Rick Waitley at 888-0988 or by email at [email protected].