BOISE, ID – The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Dr. Bert Glandon, president of College of Western Idaho, will be the 2021 recipient of the Chamber’s Hall of Fame Award, and Former House Speaker Bruce Newcomb will be honored as Government Advocate of the Year. Glandon is the ninth recipient of this award, following Ray Stark in 2020, Candi Allphin in 2019, Dave Terrell in 2018, and Dr. Bob Kustra in 2017. 

​Glandon was selected for the award for his sustained, positive contributions to the betterment of the Chamber and support for its mission to advocate for a vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life. He will be honored at the 2021 Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards luncheon on Wednesday, May 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Boise Centre.

The university president joined College of Western Idaho (CWI) in July of 2009 as a seasoned community college president. Prior to joining CWI, Glandon held president positions at Arapahoe Community College (2002-2009) and Treasure Valley Community College (1982-2002). He received his bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in communication from Western Washington University, and earned his Doctorate of Education Administration from Brigham Young University. 

As CWI’s president, Glandon steered Idaho’s newest community college through unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, the college focused on meeting the demand for affordable education and becoming an economic resource for the area’s business and industry. Glandon believes that community colleges play a critical role in partnering with local and regional businesses and industries to provide educational and training opportunities, assuring a strong economic engine for growth and development in the communities they serve. 

“President Glandon is a national icon in higher education, and College of Western Idaho became a national success story under Bert’s leadership. The Boise Metro Chamber was a vocal champion for the creation of CWI, and Bert and his team delivered for the entire valley with amazing results. His passion for student success, career and technical education, and his service to the valley’s growing business needs, certainly makes Dr. Glandon a worthy inductee to our hall of fame, our Chamber’s highest individual honor,” said Bill Connors, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber.

“President Glandon’s vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing students has cultivated the incredible growth and success at CWI and influenced the entire education landscape across Idaho,” said Molly Lenty, Chair of Board of Trustees at CWI. 

Actively engaged in the community, Dr. Glandon has a position on a number of boards including Saint Alphonsus Health System, St. Luke’s Nampa community board, Boise Rotary, Idaho Technology Council, Boise Valley Economic Partnership, and by appointment of the governor, is a member of the Idaho Workforce Development Council and co-chair of the Educational Attainment Taskforce. Glandon is married to his wife, Jane, and has two sons, Dustin and Nick.

​In addition to honoring the CWI president, this year’s Small Business and Chamber Excellence Awards will also highlight Former House Speaker Bruce Newcomb as this year’s Government Advocate of the Year. Newcomb, a native Idahoan and rancher from Buhl, served 20 years in the Idaho legislature.

Newcomb attended Stanford University, Northwest Christian College, and graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science. He was the Speaker of the Idaho State House of Representatives (1998-2006), Majority Leader (1992-1998), on the House Resource Committee (1989-1998), and caucus chairman (1989-1991). His eight years as speaker of the house make him the longest serving speaker in the history of Idaho and he has been inducted to the Idaho Hall of Fame. After his time in Legislature, Newcomb served as Director of Government Relations (2007-2016) and Special Advisor to the President (2016-2017) at Boise State University. Newcomb helped navigate Boise State’s substantial growth and expansion during his tenure.  

In 2017, Boise State University awarded Newcomb with the School of Public Service Commitment to Idaho Award. Two years later, Make-A-Wish Idaho named him Board Member of the Year. He currently has led the Boise Metro Chamber policy committee for the past several years. Newcomb is married to his wife Celia Gould, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and has five children. Together, they run a beef operation on their ranch and have been inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of fame.

“It has been an honor to have Speaker Newcomb as chair of the Chamber’s policy committee for the past several years. His voice has always been one of reason, civility, and common sense. His leadership and experience have helped to make our Chamber into one of the most influential business organizations in Idaho. This year more than ever we have needed Speaker Newcomb’s cool head and intelligent statesmanship. Bruce is an example of what political leadership and advocacy ought to look like. He is an Idaho treasure,” said Bill Connors of the of the Boise Metro Chamber.

The 2021 Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards luncheon will be held at the Boise Centre with limited attendance in accordance with CDH guidelines. The event will be streamed on the Chamber’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and website.