Idaho State University Foundation announces three new members: Moodie, Sayer and Trounson

Idaho State University Foundation has announced three new members to its Board of Directors.

Dennis Moodie, Douglas A. Sayer and Jim Trounson will join the 20-member Board for their upcoming meeting in October.

ISU Vice President for Advancement and Foundation Executive Vice President Kent Tingey said he was pleased that the three new members accepted the posts.

“The Idaho State University Foundation has been a driving force behind much of the University’s success,” Tingey said. “The skill, talent and commitment of Foundation Board members has made an extraordinary impact at ISU. Each of these three new members fits well in that mold. We welcome them and look forward to working with them in continuing to build Idaho State University.”

Moodie is the owner of Valley Truss in Boise. He graduated from ISU in 1970 with a business degree in management and organization. While attending Idaho State University, he was active in Phi Sigma Kappa, Alpha Kappa Psi and ROTC. Through the ROTC program, he spent the first four years following graduation flying helicopters for the military.

Moodie went to work for Valley Truss in 1979, and bought the company with a partner in 1986. He bought out his partner in 1997 and retired in 2003. His son Jason and nephew Michael continue to operate the business.

“We are pleased to have Dennis Moodie join the Idaho State University Foundation Board of Directors,” said Board President Mike Byrne. “For a good many years Dennis has provided extraordinary support to Idaho State University, its students, faculty, staff, and programs. As a former member of the Alumni Board of Directors, Dennis is well acquainted with the institution and will add a great deal to our Foundation Board.”

The Moodie family has supported the Colleges of Business and Technology, as well as the annual Freshman Scholarship Fund. They recently made a leadership gift to support construction of the future Alumni Center at Idaho State University.

Sayer is the owner and CEO of Premier Technologies in Blackfoot. He formed the company in 1996 with only three employees to make equipment to improve the way French-fries were battered. The company went on to develop a number of innovative products for the food processing industry.

Under Sayer’s leadership, the company has grown into an engineering, design and fabrication company with more than 350 employees. Company facilities in Blackfoot, Pocatello and Twin Falls serve the nuclear, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, medical and defense communities while remaining a major player in food processing. The company’s products include structural decks, tanks and silos, sanitary piping, conveyors and radiation shielding and equipment.

“Doug Sayer is well known in eastern Idaho because of his phenomenal success with Premier Technology. His connections and networks in Idaho and around the world will provide tremendous opportunity for the Idaho State University Foundation in its efforts to build continued resources and support for the University,” Byrne said. “For several years, Doug has provided outstanding support in time and resources to this University in another of ISU’s areas of strength — energy. Doug’s expertise in energy, his entrepreneurship and his ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities are well-suited to service on the Foundation Board.”

Trounson, of Boise, is the owner of Medical Management, Inc., a company he started in 1977 in a spare bedroom at his home. The company has grown and is now the oldest medical group management company in the country. MedMan also provides staffing and consulting in the areas of planning, operations, finances, coding and reimbursement.

Trounson graduated from ISU in 1969 with a degree in business, and was named a College of Business Distinguished Alumnus in 1991. He is also a former professional pianist, and an avid skier and pilot. He has skied one million vertical feet in one season and successfully piloted a 1947 Beechcraft halfway around the world from England to Australia during the World Vintage Air Rally.

“Jim Trounson is a most welcome addition to the Foundation Board of Directors. He is an alumnus of this institution and has a wealth of experience in the health professions, an area where Idaho State University maintains a statewide mission. As the institution continues to build and strengthen its programs and opportunities in the health and medical professions, Mr. Trounson will provide invaluable assistance,” Byrne said.