This group includes a rancher, businessman, insurance agent and a jazz vocalist. The nine Idaho senators who form the Senate Education Committee come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They will be required to come together in the coming months and agree to the next steps Idaho may take in education reform. Seven of the nine senators served in the Idaho House.
The Senate Education Committee meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. in room WW55. Secretary LeAnn South can be reached at 332-1321
Meet the Senate Education Committee:
Chairman Sen. John W. Goedde
Sen. Goedde is in his seventh term. He is a graduate from Washington State University in hotel and restaurant administration and he worked as an insurance agent. He has a strong political background, serving as a school trustee, precinct committeeman and state committeeman. He is the past chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and past president of the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce. He was named Coeur d’Alene’s Volunteer of the Year in 1996.
Vice chair Sen. Dean Mortimer
Sen. Mortimer is a long-time business owner serving in his third senate term and he previously served in the House of Representatives, 2007-2008. He brings financial expertise to the Education Committee having once served as a member of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and having been a mortgage banker.
Sen. Monty Pearce
Sen. Pearce and his wife are ranchers. This is Sen. Pearce’s sixth legislative term, serving two terms in the House of Representatives.
Sen. Russell Fulcher
Sen. Fulcher was born Meridian and graduated from Boise State University. He has worked for Micron Technology and in business commercial real estate. This is his fifth legislative term.
Sen. Bob Nonini
Sen. Nonini will be serving his first term as a senator after serving four terms in the House where he chaired the Education Committee. He is a member of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and Post Falls Rotary Club. He was the Kootenai County Republican Chairman 1998-2004, and past state president of the Idaho Insurance & Financial Advisors 2003-2004.
Sen. Steven Thayn
Sen. Thayn is serving his first term in the Senate after serving three terms in the House of Representatives. He is a graduate of Emmett High, Treasure Valley Community College and Boise State University (B.S. Political Science). He has served as president of Youth Soccer Association for 10 years and he was chairman of the Payette River Regional Technical Academy Charter School.
Sen. Jim Patrick
Sen. Patrick also is serving his first term in the Senate after three terms in the House. He’s a member of the 116th National Guard and former director of the Salmon River Canal Company. He has been a member of numerous associations, societies and boards, including Eagle Scout, Farm Bureau Member of the Year and Outstanding Water Quality Irrigator.
Sen. Branden Durst
Sen. Durst is serving his first term in the Senate after three terms in the House. He earned a BA in political science from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and an MPA in public policy and administration from Boise State University. He is a 2010 recipient of the Boise Education Association A+ Friend of Education Award, Idaho Business Accomplished 40 Under 40 Award, and Idaho Freedom Foundation Friend of Freedom Public Policy Innovation Award.
Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb
Sen. Buckner-Webb is serving her first team in the Senate after one term in the House. She was born in Boise but earned her bachelor’s degree in management and organizational leadership from George Fox University and her master’s degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University. She has received the Community Hero award, the Excellence in the Arts award, and the Idaho Governor’s Award in the Arts. In 2012, she was recognized as the Idaho Mother of Distinction and National Mother of Distinction.
