Q&A with Connie Miller, President/CEO of Icon Credit Union What is your favorite film? I don't watch movies, but when I do, I love wholesome movies with kids in them. "Field of Dreams" was an inspiring film. What is the best book you've read recently? "Curiously Strong" by Priscilla Giddings What sport do you enjoy watching most? BSU Bronco football, Eastern Washington University football (to be honest — mostly because my son, Jacob, is their video coordinator), and Sweet Sixteen basketball (I love rooting for the underdogs). Who is the most interesting historical figure? Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Guides in 1912. (The name changed to Girl Scouts in 1913.) What is your favorite hobby or thing to do during the weekend? Crafting wreaths, camping, and most recently exploring Idaho with our Razor side-by-side UTV. Favorite Idaho escape? Pine and Featherville amongst the pine trees by the river. Favorite place in Boise to take a visitor? MK Nature Center and Shoshone Falls. What is the most important trend in your business or industry? We continue to grow! We have a new location in Nampa at 12th and Maine and are excited about our new locations planned in the Treasure Valley. We are launching our robust business services department, too. We remain in top 2 percent of healthiest credit unions in the country! What is the best advice you've received? One would have to be "Right is right, even if no one else does it." –Juliette Gordon Low. The other would be when someone gossips about you or falsely accuses you of something, stay true to your values. You likely have something they want. Who is a local business or business person you admire? Terri Hughes, local executive coach and author of "Simple Shifts." Leadership takes courage. Terri effectively helps leaders uncover their blind spots to be a more effective leader.
What do you enjoy most about your company or organization? It has been an incredible journey of over 20 years at Icon Credit Union (formerly named Idaho FCU), working for an organization that supports doing the right thing in financial services. Icon is part of an incredible cooperative movement in Idaho that provided $90 million in direct benefits to Idaho credit union consumers last year, and being a contributor in the nonprofit local cooperative credit union movement is truly a fulfilling part of my career. I'm proud that our organization is committed to volunteerism from our employees (more than 2,000 hours/year). I'm blessed today to work with a culture-rich employee base and truly am inspired by my amazing team on a daily basis. I'll always be invested in building leadership qualities, strong cultures, encouraging our youth, and serving on boards and nonprofits. Icon has always supported these efforts. I recently accepted an appointment to the Twelfth District of the Federal Reserve Bank Community Depository Financial Institution Advisory Council and will step up as State Board Chair for Junior Achievement this summer. I am excited for both opportunities to represent Idaho in building financial strength at many levels, from kids to the economy.  Tell us about a current or upcoming project or company-wide initiative. We have a few great initiatives planned this year. One is building on our program serving the underserved in banking and establishing a credit builder program for zero score individuals. We're also expanding into Canyon County and planning more expansion in the Treasure Valley. Another important initiative is the launch of our robust business lending and business services platform later this year. In addition to these great initiatives that will serve the needs of current and future members of Icon, I also see the increased need to continue my ongoing presentations to community partners on topics of mission leadership, keeping drama out of the workplace, and building healthy and productive workplace cultures. Personally, I'm very excited to print my book about the ways employees can prevent sabotaging their careers. It's so close!
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 The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation (JKAF) is a Boise-based, private family foundation committed to the vision of making Idaho a place to learn, thrive, and prosper. Since its inception in 1966, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has given over $732 million, focusing in the areas of learning, community, and awareness. The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation honors the legacy of Joe and Kathryn Albertson, founders of the Albertsons grocery store; however, not to be confused with Albertsons, LLC. Over the last few years, the foundation has committed significant resources to grow world-class recreational opportunities in Idaho through projects like Rhodes Skate Park, the Boise Whitewater Park, and by providing the lead gift to help Bogus Basin meet their fundraising goal for their $20 million, 10-year master plan. Most recently, the foundation announced they will be working in partnership with the City of Boise to bring a state-of-the-art bike skills park to mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. In an effort to learn more about the foundation's executive director, Roger Quarles, and gain insight into what makes it thrive, we sat down with the man himself and asked a few questions of our own. Q&A with Executive Director Roger Quarles
Favorite place in Boise to take a visitor? Idaho Botanical Garden for a concert What is the most important trend in your business or industry? Artificial intelligence and automation What is the best advice you’ve received? ‘You can be right, or you can be in a relationship — you pick.’ Who is a local business or business person you admire? Bill Whitacre What is the No. 1 reason to do business with your company or organization? We believe in supporting world-class leaders working on world-class projects. What do you enjoy most about your company or organization? The incredible team we have at the Foundation and working with the Scott family Tell us about a current or upcoming project or company-wide initiative. We believe there is a huge upside in the way of reimagining school, by being able to support the creation and development of One Stone, the only tuition-free, independent, student-led school in the world — right here in Boise, Idaho. Launched in 2016, the school’s three-year program empowers students to learn and practice 21st century skills through experimental service, innovative initiatives, and social entrepreneurship. Student work is rooted in design thinking, a creative problem-solving and innovation discovery process developed at Stanford University’s d.school. Using design thinking, students uncover new ideas that allow them to disrupt for good, improving the status quo for lasting change. One Stone currently serves 71 students in the school. (OneStone.org) Washington Federal recently announced a major ‘win’ for Boise’s growing IT and tech industry. Tom Van Hemelryck, Idaho Regional President, shared they are relocating their IT department to Boise from Seattle “to join our multi-state operations department and client care center.” This decision was a result of rising costs in Seattle and a skilled workforce in the Treasure Valley.
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