Congratulations to Jay Sutton, Class 38, who recently announced his engagement to Molly Swabb. A specific wedding date has not been set. Jay works for Seminis Vegetable Seeds (Bayer) where he is a Testing Research Associate.
Kim Glineski, Class 43, has recently taken a new position at the Idaho Department of Commerce and is now the State Broadband Project Manager for the Idaho Office of Broadband. Kim is also facing shoulder surgery this month. Sympathy is extended to the Durrant family. In the recent tragic accident at the airplane hanger in Boise where a relative, Craig Durrant, was killed. Sympathy goes out to Richard Durrant, Class 9, Bryce Durrant, Class 39, Neil Durrant, Class 34, Kara Hurst, Class 30, and Shane Robins, Class 35. Craig was a partner with Big D Builders who was constructing the hanger. The U of I will be recognizing Ronda Hirnyck, Class 9, on Monday, February 26 from 3-6 PM, at the U of I Complex located at 1904 E Chicago St in Caldwell. Ronda has been working as an Extension Pesticide Specialist for several years and prior to her employment with U of I had worked with ISDA in a similar role. Congratulations to Nic Gibson, Class 37, who recently was elected to the Meridian Cemetery Board. Nic will serve with chairman Drew Eggers, Class 12, and commissioner Julie Eavenson, Class 18. Nic is employed at AMG in Meridian and handles graphics, social media and digital media on behalf of AMG clients. Congratulations to Ben Schumacher, Class 39, who was recently elected to the board of directors for Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association. Ben works for Seeds Inc as a crop consultant and lives in Cottonwood, Idaho. Congratulations to Rebecca Rutan, Class 33, and husband Dennis who welcomed a new baby boy, Daxton, in their family on February 10th. Daxton had some complications which required surgery. Daxton will remain in the hospital for an estimated 1-3 months. Rebecca and Dennis are living at the Ronald McDonald House in Boise. When Daxton goes home, he will his join his older brother Michael. Congratulations to Jake Zollinger, Class 38, who was recently appointed as County Commissioner for Custer County by Governor Brad Little. Jake works for Valley Agronomics as a Location Manager in Challis. Congratulations to the members of Class 44 who were elected to speak before the Governor. The five speakers and their topics are:
The five speeches will be presented to Lt. Governor Scott Bedke since the Governor will be at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the U of I Parma Research and Extension Center. Congratulations to Joel Wasem, Class 38, who was recently elected as President of Pacific Northwest Canola Association. Joel is employed by Bell Equipment Inc, Value Stream Manager for Large Equipment Sales and 1980 Ag and Acute Farms in Grangeville. Congratulations to Michael Colle, Class 44, and wife Megan on the birth of Hollie Marie, February 13, 2024 in Moscow. Now the Colle’s have two little girls in their home. Linda Rider, Class 22, was surprised at the Idaho Cattle Association annual meeting where they honored Linda with the Idaho Beef Industry Leader for 2024. Then, the International Association of Fairs and Expos honored Linda with the Heritage Award – only a handful of the award is given each year. Linda topped off the recognitions at the Idaho Farm Bureau annual meeting where she and her husband Rob were presented the President’s Cup for contributions to Agriculture. Two LIA alumus have teens serving as Pages during the 2024 Idaho Legislature. Emma Wittman, daughter of Nic Wittman, Class 39, and wife Grace, was a page in the Idaho House the first half of the session. Silas Frederick, son of Ken Frederick, Class 41 and wife Marylin, is serving in the Idaho House for the second part of the session. The LIA Washington, DC Experience will take place June 8-14. If you are interested in attending please contact Kendra Dustin at 208-859-6780 or kendra@amgidaho.com. Cost is $1750.00 for alumni and $750.00 for their spouse. This does not include air travel from your location to DC.
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Congratulations to Alan Martinson, Class 27 who was elected as a Fire Commissioner on November 7 for Whitman County Fire District 12. WCFD 12 is the rural fire department for Pullman Washington. Alan lives in rural Pullman and has been a firefighter for Fire District 12 for 38 years. Alan was also a Co-Chair for Class 28 and served 2 terms on the Board of Trustees. He also serves as the Latah County Noxious Weed Superintendent.
Congratulations to Drew Eggers, Class 12 who was re-elected a Meridian Cemetery District Commissioner. Drew is retired from active farming and has been serving as Chairman of the board for the Cemetery District. Congratulations to Jared Giles, Class 44 who was re-elected as a Fire Commissioner for the Rock Creek Fire District. Jared farms in the Hansen area. Tobin Dixon, Class 39 has recently announced that he has accepted a new position as Deputy District Director for US Small Business Administration in the Boise District Office. Tobin has previously worked for USDA Rural Development. Belated congratulations to Brenna Smith Christiansen, Class 37 and her husband Greg on the birth of a daughter Landry Ash on October 3. Landry weighed 6# 9oz and will now join older brother Gentry. Interestingly enough, Brenna’s sister had a baby the following day. Grandparents are twice blessed. Brenna is employed at the Idaho Wine Commission in Boise. Congratulations to Hillary Lowe, wife of Jim Lowe, Class 31 who was successfully elected as a Kuna School Board Trustee on November 7. Jim and Hillary own and operate Lowe Family Farmstead near Kuna. Congratulations to Justin Place, Class 37 who was recently elected president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association. Joining Justin the board is a new board member Larry Hollifield, Class 41. Justin farms in the Hamer area and Larry in Hansen. Sympathy is extended to Eric Odberg, Class 11 in the passing of his mother on November 6. Eric farms in the Genesee area. Sympathy to Scott Nicholson, Class 14 in the recent passing of his mother Diana Nicholson. Scott and his family are involved in the family business with his parents Nicholson Land and Livestock. Recently, Idaho Business Review released a list of Idaho Industry’s Influencers. Among those listed and profiled were Wayne Hammon, Class 14 who serves as CEO of Idaho Associated General Contractors, a position he has held for the past 11 years. Also named was Moya Dolsby, Class 30 Executive Director of the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission a position Moya has held for the past 15 years. Recent announcements of running for the Idaho Legislature in 2024 include Robert Blair, Class 26, owner of AIGEN Solutions and also a farmer, will be running for a Senate seat in District 6. Laurie Lickley, LIA Affiliate Member will be running for a Senate seat in District 26. Several LIA alumni joined Governor Brad Little on his most recent Trade Mission to Mexico. Those attending included, Laura Johnson, Class 11; Jarom Jemmett, Class 39; Richard Durrant, Class 9; and Candi Fitch, Class 28. The group was there for the purpose of advancing the trade of Idaho products with Mexico. We have several members of Class 44 that are tied to alumni of LIA. Curt Jones, is the son of Ron Jones, Class 2; Bri Eggers is the daughter of Drew Eggers, Class 12; Christina Machado is the wife of Mike Machado, Class 40; Derek Wanders is the husband of Chelicy Wanders, Class 40 and Mandie Seward is the granddaughter of Larry Simineo, Class 1. Nathan Riggers, Class 12 was the speaker at the North Idaho Regional Event. Nathan was serving as Chairman of the Board for Northwest Farm Credit Services at the time of the merger with AgWest Farm Credit California and then was elected chairman of the newly merged Board of Directors. Nathan farms with his son in the Nez Perce, Idaho area. The theme of his presentation was “My Leadership Journey.” At the North Idaho Regional Event we enjoyed reconnecting with some early graduates in the LIA program: David Galantuomini, Class 1, Russ Zenner, Class 3 and Doug Scoville, Class 6. We appreciate the faithful participation of these alumni members. Twenty-nine individuals attended the second State Exchange to Louisiana November 12-17. The group had the opportunity to visit several farming operations raising sugarcane, rice, crawfish, and World Headquarters for Tabasco. They also visited production plants for sugarcane processing, Community Coffee, and rice processing. Most of the speakers on the tour were graduates of the Louisiana Ag Leadership program. The Louisiana program is structured differently than the Idaho program and it was interesting to learn from their alumni about their personal experiences. Serving as co-chairman for LIA Class 44 are Shawn Boyle, Class 41 who serves as President and General Counsel for Idaho Growers Shippers Association and Joel Packham, Class 9 who recently retired in June from U of I CALS Extension system after serving in Caribou and Cassia Counties as an Extension Educator. Correction from the last LIA Brief: Ashlee Struble, Class 43 was listed twice for the same position involved with Riverglen Jr. High PAWS group. However, one of the listings should have been her recent election to the Visit Garden City Board. Remember to pay your 2023-2024 dues. They can be paid online at www.leadershipidahoag.org or you can call the office and speak directly with Patty at 208-888-0988. The new 2023-2024 directories have arrived, and we are anxious to get one to you for your use. All dues paying members (Lifetime and Annual) receive a complimentary directory. |
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March 2024
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