LIA Briefs

Joe Anderson, Class 22 has recently changed occupations and started a new company, Fortify Risk Management LLC in Meridian. The company is bringing fractional risk management to the Middle Market space. Joe indicated they are working with cities and counties and several organizations helping them manage risk. Joe was formerly with The Buckner Company.

Cole Oliver, Class 45 decided to leave AgAmerica and has become the General Manager of a local roofing company based in Boise called Point Roofing. He was approached by a fellow former Marine about the position and accepted it shortly after his graduation from LIA in February.

Rick Phillips, Class 1 and founder of the LIA program, was recently inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. Rick retired a year ago from his career with Simplot. The award is bestowed on those who have made significant contributions to agriculture in Eastern Idaho. Rick also spent some time this session as a substitute in the Idaho Legislature for Rep. Rick Cheatum who was absent for a few days. 
A note from a neighbor: I am an alumni of Oregon's Resource Education and Agricultural Leadership Program, similar to the LIA. I coordinate and lead domestic and international agriculture tours a few times a year and have spots available on a 10-day tour to South Africa in October. The tour is available to anyone 25 years and older who is interested in travel and learning about foreign agriculture.

Farm visits and topics include Boran cattle, row crops, sheep, macadamia nuts, abalone, wine, olive oil, dairy, and a feedlot. We will also be going on three safari drives and visiting a penguin colony, along with geographic wonders like Blyde River Canyon, Table Mountain, and the Cape of Good Hope.
I have included a link below to a website with more information, a full itinerary, and a sign up form. If you think this is something any of your program participants and alumni would be interested in, would you mind passing the information along to them?
www.theolivebranch.net/south-africa
Thank you!
Jordyn Coon
[email protected]
May 3-9, LIA Alumni will be traveling to the Nation’s Capital for the annual Washington, DC Experience. This year, individuals from REAL Oregon will be joining us as they hope to launch a similar program in their state. Those planning to attend from Idaho include:
Kendra Dustin, Development Director
Rick Waitley, Executive Director
Shawn Boyle, Class 41
Gabe Flick, Class 41 and spouse
Megan Snyder, Class 38
Nic Gibson, Class 37
NOTE: There is room for two more LIA Alumni to join us if you are interested. Please call Kendra Dustin ASAP at 208-888-0988 if you are interested. Room reservations have to be made by April 1. Scholarship funds are available. 
Tragedy struck the LIA family on Sunday, March 23, when we learned the news that LIA Trustee Corbin Knowles, Class 43, had been killed in a single car rollover in Union County, OR. Corbin and his wife Charlotte had just returned from San Diego earlier in the day when Corbin left for a meeting in Oregon. Corbin worked nearly 20 years for IDWR and then formed his own water consulting business. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charlotte and Corbin’s family.

The LIA Board of Trustees met in Meridian on Friday, March 14. At that time they approved a new 5-year Strategic Plan for the Foundation. If you would like a copy of the Strategic Plan please contact the LIA Office by calling 208-888-0988 or sending an email to [email protected]. 

Many of you knew and corresponded with Cindy Pusey who was at AMG for 14 years. Cindy was frequently at the auction and graduation for LIA classes. After the retirement of her husband, they relocated to Ohio where they had lived for several years. Earlier this month we were notified that Cindy had discovered a large mass in her pancreas and on her liver. Following the biopsy, it was determined that both were cancerous. She has started Chemo treatments and is also part of a new research project at Cleveland Clinic. 
A postcard will be going in April to all potential applicants for Class 46. If you have names that you would like to receive this postcard, please email them to [email protected] and we will get them added. Tuition for Class 46 is $3300. Specific dates have not been set for every session at this time but they will continue to be in the traditional months of November – February.

Josh Tewalt, Class 22, has served as Director of the Department of Corrections in Idaho since 2018. Tewalt announced his resignation earlier this month and will be forming a private consulting business. Josh is married to Chanel Tewalt, Director of ISDA. The Tewalts have a small sheep operation near Kuna. Josh was presented the Wayne Meyer Statesman Award in 2023.
Ireland Here we Come: This will be the first International Trip for LIA in several years. We are excited to have the following alumni and guests joining us in October for the trip:
Kendra Dustin, Class 32/ husband Glenn
Abbie Quesnel, Class 38
​Kenyon Miller, Class 33/wife Julie
Kim Corn, Class 14
Brian Parks, Class 16/ guest Heather Barrett
Lisa Shivley, Class 15
Ryan Miller, Class 33 & Malia Miller, Class 36
John Wright, Class 37
Leah Clark, Class 26/sister Valerie White
Will Ricks, Class 27/wife Angie
Patrick Regli, Class 44/mom Dawn Shahan
Rick Phillips, Class 1/wife Kerry
Glen Edwards, Class 28/daughter Brandis Goodman
Britt Beene, Class 36/wife Andrea
Mary Hasenoehrl, Class 17/husband Doug Gross
Charlie Bryan, Class 10/wife Pam
Dave Reynolds, Class 40/wife Karla/sister Wendy Rowland
Rick Waitley, Class 8/wife Dorita
Looking ahead:
Be sure you have circled the annual LIA Golf Tournament on your calendar for June 5 in Twin Falls. Registration is open. https://www.leadershipidahoag.org/golf
Leadership Idaho Agriculture will be hosting 30 guests from the Louisiana Leadership Program June 8-12. The tour will start in Boise, move to the Magic Valley and return to Boise for the second leg of the week. Several events will be held involving Idaho LIA Alumni to give you the opportunity to interact with our guests from Louisiana. Rick Waitley and Kendra Dustin will be hosting the tour. 
Note: For questions on any of these opportunities feel free to reach out to Kendra Dustin, Development Director for more details – [email protected].