Shows
SpotLightMcCallBob Looper
A civil engineering background and over 25 years in the ski industry make Bob Looper uniquely positioned to manage Brundage Mountain. He first arrived on the Board of Directors in 2009 and became President & Managing Director in 2013. He recently created Brundage Mountain Holdings to acquired the Resort. You’ll shortly hear why it’s called Holdings.
Much like that 9 am lift line, Bob doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of things. Even though he created the LLC, Bob has other notions about who actually ‘owns’ Brundage Mountain.
He gets to work with an array of stakeholders, including Ad...
2020-11-2946 min
SpotLightMcCallSerhiy StavynskyyBorn in Ukraine under Soviet rule, Serhiy (Gus) Stavynskyy has a vivid and unusual background. Growing up in an authoritarian and often dangerous country left a deep sensibility for justice. Arriving in America on a green card lottery, Serhiy graduated from Columbia University, served as a New York City Police Officer, and acquired a degree from Valparaiso Law School. Like many of us, he made his way to Idaho to practice law, eventually becoming Chief Deputy Prosecutor in Valley County.
We hear about a life of vastly disparate influences: his family in Russia remembering famine, growing up...
2020-10-0255 min
SpotLightMcCallCraig UtterCraig Utter is Executive Director for the Payette Land Trust, conserving for future generations the scenic, agricultural, ranch, recreational, historic and wildlife values of Idaho.
While originally a rancher in Nebraska, Craig began work in environmental and conservation-based non-profits. He moved to Idaho to fight forest fires on helitack crews, maintaining his conservation work in Nebraska. Eventually he moved his skill set completely to Idaho.
We talk about the inherent nature of development and a corresponding need for conservation easements, facilitated by a land trust. Commonly we think of an easement as a right-of-way. Imagine...
2020-07-1657 min
SpotLightMcCallBill WhitacreYou may know Bill Whitacre in many ways, from his years managing the Simplot Company, or around town in McCall, or from his recent initiative, Crush the Curve Idaho.
While he deeply considers Idaho home, Bill also seeks inspiration in adventures around the world on a motorcycle. Idaho roads taught him some basics, allowing him to go anywhere. Almost. Getting into Iran was an intricate detour while riding the Silk Road from Turkey to China.
Learn about how continents may differ while people everywhere are truly the same. Hear Bill elaborate on how we give...
2020-06-0453 min
SpotLightMcCallSuzanne MackIf you’ve spent any amount of time in McCall, you’ve probably seen Suzanne Mack walking to and from work. As Office Services Supervisor at McCall Central District Health, she literally walks the talk.
We hear about what Suzanne has seen and learned from ten years of walking almost daily. She also has a unique childhood and personality that make her the perfect fit for this diverse job.
I’ve wanted to have Suzanne on the podcast from the beginning so we can learn more about our CDH. Maybe a month ago when we starte...
2020-04-2342 min
SpotLightMcCallTom GroteTom Grote has been Publisher of The Star-News for almost 40 years.
He describes the paper as a local “property,” emphasizing the power of journalism as a record or journal of a community—its people, culture, and events. This does not ensure objectivity. Accuracy, balance, and fairness are the values of a paper. You may know about That One Thing where Tom is not objective, and he passionately relates why.
We consider people’s attitudes toward the media, often negative. Tom explains how unbiased journalism is a relatively recent value—perhaps our news is more accurate than we th...
2020-04-1250 min
SpotLightMcCallAndrew MentzerCommunities have a lot of people behind the scenes getting things done. Fortunately for our region, we have Andrew Mentzer, Executive Director for the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council.
Andrew’s work ethos hinges on collaboration—having conversations with everyone: non-profits, the private sector, small businesses, and government. Then collect more information, acquire funding, and implement a course of action, all with an eye on ‘best practices.’
We talk about Andrew and the Council’s work on regional broadband, housing, trail access, apprentice work programs, and how to reconcile those controversial notions of growth and...
2020-03-1941 min
SpotLightMcCallMeg LojekYou might see Meg Lojek cheering her kids at local sporting events, out on the trails, or welcoming you to the McCall Public Library.
Meg shares her unique path to becoming Director of our Public Library, a journey involving a few continents culminating with directing and opening school libraries in Bangkok. Still an Idaho gal at heart, she acts from a sense of adventure and service, instilling this ethic in our own library.
After reviewing her life and career at home and abroad, we talk about why libraries matter. You’ll hear Meg’s sincerity for w...
2020-03-1347 min
SpotLightMcCallSherry MaupinSherry personifies community engagement. She relates her unusual journey into banking as a young woman, developing a knack for seeing what communities need and finding ways to make things happen. Visionaries aren't always Implementers with a capacity for details.
Sherry’s big-picture ideals have helped generate solutions and projects in our community. We didn’t win the final ABC round or pass a recreation district; however other cool things are happening because of those efforts--trails and access, anyone?
Do you live, work, shop, or play in Valley Country? Why would anyone want to be a Coun...
2020-02-1552 min
SpotLightMcCallJuan BonillaDonnelly Fire Chief Juan Bonilla personifies Cool.
Juan grew up in Valley County working with cattleman, then served in the Navy as a torpedoman in submarines. He returned home and began a dedicated career in fire and emergency services.
Being the Donnelly Fire Chief and Valley County Emergency Manager is more than just racing to disasters. Juan talks about building a broad volunteer base, working with kids, and creating an education hub at the Donnelly Fire Station. He has deeply studied, taught, and practiced leadership, and some of his ideas may surprise you.
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2020-02-0859 min
SpotLightMcCallJackie AymonJackie Aymon has given over ten years of public service to McCall, including the last six years as Mayor. Her infectious, positive energy has redefined what’s possible in public service. You also may know Jackie from her days as a Physician’s Assistant.
We talk about her first love as a globe-trotting gymnastics coach. We touch briefly on her career in medicine before focusing on her Mayoral Days, where she officiated weddings, walked with students, implemented efficient meetings and strategic plans, began the Firewise program, and followed a Christmas Tree to Washington D.C.
Join...
2020-01-0451 min
SpotLightMcCallRandy PriestAn Idaho Treasure, Randy is the proprietor of the Donnelly Hat Shop and a recipient of the Governor’s Award in the Arts for Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts.
We talk about his life's work crafting hats, growing up in Pocatello with the Blackfoot Tribe, his resulting affinity for Native American values and rituals, sobriety, music, losing his daughter, and his self-transformation work with LifeStream. Join us for a heartfelt conversation and a little bit of banjo.
2019-12-3053 min