New Deputy Director for Policy and Administration
Michele Andersen has accepted the Deputy Director for Policy and Administration position, which is a newly created position. She officially starts her new role on Monday, January 6.
The focus of this position will be to provide additional focus and leadership to our Fiscal Team, Communications Group and Facilities and Fleet Manager, support to our Boise Administrative staff, external outreach to lawmakers, industry partners and agencies, and serve as our liaison to our HR team, among other duties.
Michele spent 10 years as a field biologist in the Clark Fork/Pend Oreille basin for the Kalispel Tribe. She started working for IDL in 2013 as a Lands Resource Specialist at the Pend Oreille Lake Supervisory Area. In 2014 she joined the Technical Services Bureau at the CDA Staff office serving as ID Team Program Manager and then TS Bureau Chief. In 2020 she started as the Operations Division Administrator and in 2021 Michele and her husband Todd moved to Boise. After 20 years of commuting 2 hours/day, the 10-minute drive to the Boise staff office suits her just fine.
Michele says, “IDL is the best place I have ever worked and I feel lucky to enjoy the work I do and the people I get to work with every day. I am honored and grateful to serve IDL in this new role”.
I am very excited to promote Michele to this new role! She has the skills, background and vision to make a huge impact for our people.
We will advertise the soon-to-be-vacant Operations Division Administrator position at the appropriate time.
Deputy Director for Natural Resources Management Bill Haagenson will continue to provide leadership to the Trust Lands Management, Forestry and Fire, MNOG and Operations Divisions. I think the duel deputy director model will serve us well, as it has with other state agencies.
Please congratulate Michele on the new job and please reach out if you have questions!
Engagement Survey Follow Up
Earlier this year you were asked to participate in the second employee engagement survey led by the Governor’s office and the Department of Human Resources. The results of the survey provided valuable insights into both our strengths and areas where we can improve.
We received high marks in areas including safety, respect, living our values, trust in management, and innovation. However, the survey also highlighted areas where we can improve, including follow-up on survey results, pay and benefits, alignment between experience and expectations, communication, and trust in leadership. I appreciate everyone’s participation and honest feedback.
In response, the leadership team (Executive Team, Area Managers, and Bureau Chiefs) developed the attached action plan to address these areas of concern, which we will begin implementing in January. This plan will include the creation of an Employee Engagement Committee, with Jim Elbin serving as the Executive Team Sponsor. More information on the implementation will follow in the coming weeks.
Compensation is the most challenging issue across ALL state agencies and is a priority for me and the entire Executive Team. This is a broader Department initiative that we remain focused on year round and is our Future Proofing Goal #1 in our Strategic Plan (found here Strategic Plan FY2025-2028.pdf ).
Aside from the progress we have made on compensation, we continue to advocate for better pay, including a meaningful annual CEC. To that end, I recently submitted comments to the CEC Legislative Committee for FY26 on that topic, which are attached for your reference. The Executive Team and I will remain steadfast in our commitment to improving compensation.
As always, please reach out to me if you have questions, and please review the attachments. Thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the endowments, the people of Idaho, and each other.
- Read the IDL Agency Action Plan
- Read the Director's Letter to the CEC Committee
Idaho Land Board Announces a Merry $63 Million Distribution to Public Schools
The Land Board held its annual Christmas celebration in the capitol rotunda on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The Capital Singers, an exclusive Capital High School choir performed adding a new layer of beauty to the atmosphere.
The Land Board presented a symbolic check to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the high schools singers. Public schools are receiving a $63,039,600 distribution for the current school year, which is the largest portion of the $103,221,600 distributed to all endowment beneficiaries.
Funding for this distribution comes from money earned from managing endowment land and investments.
Strategic Facilities Plan
IDL's Facilities and Fleet Manager Derrick Reeves presented information regarding the Strategic Facilities Plan at the recent Fall Fire Meeting in Boise. Here is an overview of the information from Derrick.
As we look to future-proof the agency’s facilities, we are excited to share an update on the progress of our initial strategic facilities plan. Over the summer of 2024, an assessment of our administrative facilities was completed, and we identified nine project areas in need of significant upgrades to their fire infrastructure. The project areas include Idaho Falls, a remote station in Lucille, Deary, Southwest, Craigmont (2 including a helitack base), Kamiah, Sandpoint, and the Coeur d’Alene Cache. These areas were carefully prioritized based on factors such as response time and general lack of infrastructure to ensure we are addressing the most pressing needs first.
A key element of this effort is the development of new “Fire Operations Centers.” We have selected a general floor plan for these centers that is scalable to meet the specific needs of individual districts. This approach will allow us to efficiently and effectively enhance our fire response capabilities while tailoring the facilities to local requirements.
To fund these critical projects, the agency is exploring a partnership with the State Building Authority to issue tax-free municipal bonds. This collaboration will help secure the necessary resources to bring these plans to life. Our proposal is scheduled to be presented to the Land Board in January, marking an important milestone in our efforts to modernize and expand our fire infrastructure.
Improving fire infrastructure not only supports our wildfire response capabilities but also supports all other agency programs. By building a robust foundation through these initial projects, we are setting the stage for broader upgrades to facilities state-wide. These future plans include upgrades to administrative facilities state-wide.
We appreciate the continued support and engagement of our staff as we move forward with these critical improvements. Together, we are building a safer, more resilient future for our agency and the communities we serve.
St. Joe Supervisory Area Christmas Luncheon
The St. Joe Area held a luncheon to celebrate Christmas on Thursday, December 19.
A number of retired employees joined the celebration and wanted to get a picture in front of the old area office building before it gets the wrecking ball. The Christmas swag next to the door was made by Steve Cuvala's wife, as is the annual tradition.
The people in the first photo (left to right):
Front Row - Ron Valek, John Pollard, Lori Yearout, Marg Bradbury, Steve Cuvala, Chuck Reinmuth
Back Row - Jim Bennett, Bruce Mottern, Dean Johnson, Arlo Slack, Jim Nichols, Bill Cowin, Fred Muhs (seasonal dozer operator), John Warning
The bottom photo is the original office just after completion in the early 1950's with its Fire Warden Art Reddikopp standing in front.
 photo by Lisa Thornton
 photo provided by Steve Cuvala
Coeur d'Alene Christmas Celebration
The Coeur d'Alene staff office got into the Christmas spirit this week with a little celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
There were a few contests, and the winners were:
- Best Decorated door - Forestry Assistance
- Best IDL Christmas outfit – Megan Johnson
- Best Ugly Sweater – Debra Welch
- Most Festive – Renee Fisher
Judges were Andrew Smyth, Michaelle Sande and Ara Andrea.
Everyone enjoyed a feast of goodies with some very festive treats.
photos by Debra Welch
 from left to right: Best IDL Christmas outfit – Megan Johnson, Best Ugly Sweater – Debra Welch, Most Festive – Renee Fisher
 Best Decorated door - Forestry Assistance
                  
Coeur d’Alene Lighting Ceremony Parade correction
Blaine Frederickson was "Smokey Bear" in the Coeur d'Alene Lighting Ceremony Parade. Smokey was previously misidentified as Terry Zufelt. Thanks Blaine!
photo by Dusty Weeks
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Newsletter Archive
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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