Boise Metro Chamber Announces 2024 Executive Committee and Board of Directors

Hart Gilchrist

Laura Kendall

Neil Nelson

Mike Smith

BOISE, ID –The Boise Metro Chamber is excited to announce its 2024 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The Boise Metro Chamber is the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho.
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"We are proud to say that our board is made up of influential leaders in our community who represent the business sector in the Treasure Valley. With their collective expertise and dedication, we are confident that their invaluable contributions will significantly enhance our goal of ensuring the continued success of the business community in the Treasure Valley,” stated Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, Boise Metro Chamber’s President and CEO.  
 
“We look forward to another year of engaging our members through programs, events, and advocacy efforts, and are grateful for the guidance and support of our board members,” Meuleman added.
 
Dan Price, Community Banking President of Mountain West Bank, will serve as the 2024 Boise Metro Chamber Executive Committee Chair. Price will begin his sixth year of service on Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee. 
Garrett Lofto, President & CEO of J.R. Simplot Company, is new to the Executive Committee and will serve as Committee Chair in 2025. Lofto previously served on the Board of Directors for four years.
Odette Bolano, CEO of Trinity Health’s West Region, will serve as the 2024 Boise Metro Chamber Executive Committee Past Chair. This marks her third year of service on the Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee.
Emily Baker, Founder & Chair of Portman Square Group, will serve as an At-Large Chair. Baker enters her seventh year of service on the Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee as she takes on this role.
The Boise Metro Chamber is grateful to the following members for returning to their roles within the Executive Committee in 2024:

• Gerald Hunter, President, Idaho Housing & Finance Association, At-Large Chair
• Rebecca Hupp, Airport Director, Boise Airport, At-Large Chair
• Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President & CEO, Boise Metro Chamber
• Tom Van Hemelryck, Regional President, WaFd Bank, Treasurer
• Matthew Walters, Shareholder, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel

 
The Boise Metro Chamber wishes to welcome the following new members to its 2024 Board of Directors:

• Hart Gilchrist, Vice President of Operations, Intermountain Gas, will serve as the Visit Boise Chair
• Laura Kendall, Executive Director, Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
• Neil Nelson, President, E.S.I. Construction
• Mike Smith, COO, Lamb Weston

 
The following members will continue to serve on the Board of Directors in 2024.:

• Erin Anderson, Executive Director, Idaho Botanical Gardens
• April Arnzen, Chief People Officer at Micron Technology, Inc., and President of the Micron Foundation
• Michael Ballantyne, Managing Partner, TOK Commercial Real Estate
• Nate Brazier, President & COO, Stinker Stores
• Cord Christensen, CEO, PetIQ
• John Colgrove, President, Intermountain Divisions, Albertsons Companies
• Todd Gill, President & CEO, United Heritage Insurance
• Jessica Hagan, President & General Manager, KTVB News Group
• Fran Malecha, President & Chief Executive Officer, Amalgamated Sugar Company
• Thomas J. Mortell, Co-Managing Partner at Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley, LLP, who will serve as the BVEP Chair and Chair of the Policy Committee, which leads government advocacy efforts.  
• Jeff Newgard, President & CEO, Bank of Idaho
• Kelly Olson, President, Western States Equipment
• Adam Richins, COO, Idaho Power Company
• Chris Roth, President & CEO, St. Luke’s Health System
• Jim Shipman, Managing Owner, Colliers International
• Jennifer Swindell, Founder & CEO, Idaho Ed News
• Jodi Whittaker, Managing Partner, KDP Certified Accountants
• Paul Zurlo, President & CEO, Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc.

 
Ex-officio members of the Board of Directors include:

• Jesse Mix, Boise VA Medical Center/OR ANG, who serves as the President of Leadership Boise
• Rachel Flachbart Sladek, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, who serves as the President of Boise Young Professionals