Alumni News

Evan Frasure, ’77,  is Idaho’s new Farm Service Agency director. Frasure is a Republican who served a two-year term in Idaho’s House of Representatives beginning in 1990 and spent a decade as a state senator starting in 1992. Recently, he served one year as a Bannock County Commissioner.

Idaho State University alumnus and 2017 Professional Achievement Award winner Chris Carlson, ‘70, has written a new book “Hells Heroes: How an unlikely alliance saved Idaho’s Hells Canyon.” Carlson has penned three other acclaimed books – “Cecil Andrus: Idaho’s Greatest Governor,” “Medimont Reflections” and “Eye on the Caribou.”

Dan Hammon, ‘80, has been promoted to senior vice president and regional credit officer for eastern Idaho at D. L. Evans Bank. Hammon has 37 years of banking experience in eastern Idaho. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in finance from Idaho State University, an associate degree in business administration from Ricks College, and is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School and Northwest Agricultural School.

Kevin Keenan, ’93, has joined Hogan Lovells law firm’s Houston office as a partner in the Infrastructure, Energy, Resources, and Projects practice.

United Federal Credit Union has named Michael Ruchti, ’97, Chief Financial Officer. He will be responsible for directing financial operations and developing strategic direction regarding asset and liability management. His primary goals will be to reinforce consistent earnings, liquidity, and financial safety.  He holds an MBA in finance from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Idaho State University.

Joan Agee, ‘00, has been selected as the president-elect for the Nurse Leaders of Idaho. Agee’s two-year term as president-elect of the statewide organization starts in January, followed by a two-year term as president. Agee is the chief nursing officer at St. Luke’s Nampa. Previously, she served as the vice president of patient care services/chief nursing officer of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, and director of perioperative services at St. Joseph Medical Center and Alaska Regional Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25 has selected Courtney Fisher, ‘00, as Communications and Community Relations Specialist. She has owned and operated FishTale Creative, an award-wining brand communications agency, since 2004. She is also a Founding Director of Kind Community, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to uplift, inspire and empower youth through positive community engagement.

Jared Johnson, ’00, was recently named Pocatello City Attorney.

Steven Hernandez, ’01, ’05, ‘07, is one of three of the National Science Foundation’s CyberCorps: SFS’s inaugural class of Hall of Fame recipients, who are being recognized for making outstanding contributions to cybersecurity. The Hall of Fame received nominations from more than 60 universities. Hernandez has held information assurance positions at the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an NSA National Security Administration Center of Academic Excellence Research Institute in Idaho.

Tim Downs, ’03, was promoted to sergeant with the Idaho Falls Police Department. He has served as a patrol officer, warrants team member, a Police Training Officer, a member of the SWAT team, a School Resource Officer, and most recently as a Detective in the Investigations Bureau. Downs is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and was activated by the USAF in 2001 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired in 2009 after 21 years as a non-commissioned officer.

Stan McEntire, ’03, was recently inducted into the World Armwrestling Hall of Fame. McEntire has won many championships, including first place World Championship in Petaluma, California, in 1992 and again in 1994; as well as second place Golden Bear, Moscow, Russia, 1992 and again in 1993.

Rebecca Vincen-Brown, ‘03, has been appointed manager of the Touchmark Health & Fitness Club.
Vincen-Brown is a certified functional aging specialist and personal trainer. She is earning her master’s degree in athletic administration from Idaho State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. Previously, she worked at Touchmark as a life enrichment and wellness assistant and as a graduate teaching assistant at Idaho State.

Jeff Watson, ’04, has been promoted to Turbo Prop Service Manager at Western Aircraft. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving for four years as an F-18 aircraft hydraulic mechanic. Watson is a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic who has served in various roles within Western Aircraft’s maintenance department for more than 11 years, most recently as the company’s Jet Team Lead.  

Pocatello Regional Transit Director Dave Hunt, ’05, is retiring. Hunt has been working for Pocatello Regional Transit since 1993.

Shaun Pohlman, ’05, was recently named head volleyball coach and Lewis-Clark State College.
Pohlman’s teams at Northwest College won four Region IX titles and advanced to the NJCAA national tournament four of the past five seasons with final four appearances twice. He was the District I/C Coach of the Year four times, and was a two-time recipient of the AVCA West Region Coach of the Year Award and National Coach of the Year nominee. His teams also achieved in the classroom with nine successive NJCAA National Academic Team Awards and five AVCA2 National Academic Team awards. He also coached numerous all-region and all-American players, as well as national and regional individual academic award winners.

Andrew R. Smart, ’07, was recently named a partner at Jordan and Company Chartered. In addition to being a licensed Certified Public Account, Smart has earned his Personal Financial Specialist, credential and is a registered investment adviser with Naarden Wealth Management.

Security Service Federal Credit Union has promoted Greg Reed, 07, to Senior Vice President of Member Service where he will be responsible for branch operations, member experience and employee development in Texas, Colorado and Utah. Reed has served the credit union since 2011 in the roles of Vice President of Member Service for the Mountain West Region, and most recently as Senior Vice President of Member Service for the Mountain West Region.

Lori Barber, ’12, ’14, has been named the dean of general education for College of Eastern Idaho. Barber previously served as the director of general education at the new community college. Prior to that, she worked at Idaho State University as an assistant lecturer in history. Barber was also appointed to the State General Education Committee of Idaho.

Bruce C. Kusch, ’12, was inaugurated president of the LDS Business College. Kusch holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Phoenix, an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a Ph.D. in instructional design from Idaho State University. In May 2012, he was awarded the Kole-McGuffey Prize from the College of Education at Idaho State University, recognizing him as the outstanding doctoral candidate for his research in creating significant online learning environments.

The Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has recognized Chelsea Schoenfelder, ’12,  as Idaho’s Young Dietitian of the Year. Schoenfelder is a registered dietitian with Dairy West, which manages the marketing and promotion work for Idaho and Utah dairy farm families, according to a press release from Dairy West.

Physician Assistant Zach Stringham, ’12, has taken a position at East Morgan County Hospital in Colorado. Prior to that move, he worked in Kodiak, Alaska, where he cared for the residents of a 200 person bush town community. The community was on a small island, 30 miles by boat or plane to any hospital. Stringham utilized telemedicine to collaborate with doctors and specialists remotely.

Keelan McCaffrey, ’14, has been named the new head coach of the Minico football program. McCaffrey, was a walk-on to the Idaho State University football team, and eventually earned himself a scholarship spot. In addition to coaching football, he teaches biology and physical science.

Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, Minnesota announces that physician assistant Lisa Leedham, ’16, has joined their orthopedic department. Leedham graduated with a biology degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a focus on pre-med. She received her physician assistant degree from Idaho State University in Pocatello. Prior to this, she was employed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at an urgent care facility.

Gavin Lewis, ’17, is the new economic development director for the Ida-Lew Economic Development Council. Lewis will work with every incorporated city in Idaho and Lewis counties, including Cottonwood, Grangeville, Kooskia, Riggins, Stites and White Bird in Idaho County, and Craigmont, Kamiah, Nezperce and Winchester in Lewis County.