FLASHBACK: From the May 13, 2007 Idaho State Journal
By Michael Strickland
Pocatello is booming.
Many have attributed this trend to the great leaders within our community.
This can be seen in a recent theme running through several Idaho State
Journal articles. After writing, pondering and reading, I decided to
add more Pocatello names to my own previously published list. That article
had highlighted local women leaders.
This can be seen in a recent theme running through several Idaho State
Journal articles. After writing, pondering and reading, I decided to
add more Pocatello names to my own previously published list. That article
had highlighted local women leaders.
Those on the list below represent individuals who have been at the forefront
of the social, economic and cultural renaissance that we are currently
experiencing in the Gate City.
of the social, economic and cultural renaissance that we are currently
experiencing in the Gate City.
John Purce: If I had to pick another grandpa, it would be John Purce. A
terrifc human being with a terrific family, John has been on the ground
floor of operations for the Pocatello NAACP and numerous grassroots
organizations for decades. He does an exceptionally good job of keeping
people in the loop.
terrifc human being with a terrific family, John has been on the ground
floor of operations for the Pocatello NAACP and numerous grassroots
organizations for decades. He does an exceptionally good job of keeping
people in the loop.
Kip Wilkins: Have you ever thought that hotel sales management is boring?
Then I would like you to meet Kip Wilkins. His extremely creative approach
to mixing business, community service, and leadership with a personal touch,
puts this manager from the Best Western CottonTree, Pocatello, in an
esteemed class. Kip is also a downright fun and friendly dude.
Then I would like you to meet Kip Wilkins. His extremely creative approach
to mixing business, community service, and leadership with a personal touch,
puts this manager from the Best Western CottonTree, Pocatello, in an
esteemed class. Kip is also a downright fun and friendly dude.
James Yizar: Affectionately called “Byrd” by friends and colleagues, James
has consistently demonstrated awareness, vision, effective strategic
planning, and passionate outreach to people of color as well as all sectors
of the Idaho State University community. Byrd is an associate dean of
students and former director of ISU’s TRIO program.
has consistently demonstrated awareness, vision, effective strategic
planning, and passionate outreach to people of color as well as all sectors
of the Idaho State University community. Byrd is an associate dean of
students and former director of ISU’s TRIO program.
Bill Code: The new sales manager for the soon-to-be Marriott Hotel in
Pocatello is a walking/breathing seminar in people skills. Do you want to
know who’s who and what’s what in Pocatello? Then shadow Bill Code for a day
or two. Ever take a graduate seminar in business? Watch this master at work
and you’ll learn every bit as much, and more.
Pocatello is a walking/breathing seminar in people skills. Do you want to
know who’s who and what’s what in Pocatello? Then shadow Bill Code for a day
or two. Ever take a graduate seminar in business? Watch this master at work
and you’ll learn every bit as much, and more.
Rich Kirkham: I love to see great examples of fatherhood, honesty and
spiritual living embodied in business leaders. Enter Rich Kirkham. This
former Republican candidate from the Bannock slate barely lost the recent
election, a sign that a large chunk of the community is behind him. Rich
brings abundance of good things to the political table in the state of
Idaho.
spiritual living embodied in business leaders. Enter Rich Kirkham. This
former Republican candidate from the Bannock slate barely lost the recent
election, a sign that a large chunk of the community is behind him. Rich
brings abundance of good things to the political table in the state of
Idaho.
Roger Schei, Jim Barbre and Bruce Wheatley: These Pocatello Police
Department supervisory officers have gone above and beyond the call of duty
when it comes to community service. All three are dedicated family men who
spend a lot of time getting to know individuals and other families in
Pocatello. Their hard work in these areas adds a positive flavor to our
police/community relations.
Department supervisory officers have gone above and beyond the call of duty
when it comes to community service. All three are dedicated family men who
spend a lot of time getting to know individuals and other families in
Pocatello. Their hard work in these areas adds a positive flavor to our
police/community relations.
Gerald Homer: There is no need to be shy with this Pocatello LDS Institute
instructor. Are you interested in learning more about the meaning, purpose
and benefits of religious faith? Go knock on Gerald’s office door. If he is
leaving, ask him to stay. He will. Look him up in the phone book. Sit in on
some of his classes. Your views on God, on life, on Pocatello, as well as
your vision of the world, are bound to be greatly enhanced.
instructor. Are you interested in learning more about the meaning, purpose
and benefits of religious faith? Go knock on Gerald’s office door. If he is
leaving, ask him to stay. He will. Look him up in the phone book. Sit in on
some of his classes. Your views on God, on life, on Pocatello, as well as
your vision of the world, are bound to be greatly enhanced.
Robert Naftz: With domestic violence reaching epidemic levels across the
United States, Bannock County is fortunate to have Judge Naftz running its
Domestic Violence Court. He is a fixture on Bannock County’s sexual assault
and domestic violence task force. Judge Naftz takes part in many seminars
and conferences, educating people and bringing back information for
innovative solutions.
United States, Bannock County is fortunate to have Judge Naftz running its
Domestic Violence Court. He is a fixture on Bannock County’s sexual assault
and domestic violence task force. Judge Naftz takes part in many seminars
and conferences, educating people and bringing back information for
innovative solutions.
Jeff Young: The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office is represented well by this
considerate and charitable officer who also serves on the sexual assault
and domestic violence task force. Jeff knows the community, understands the
issues, and is very skilled at essential networking. I was able to observe
Jeff leading interactive workshops with local high school students about the
growing problem of teen dating violence. The programs were run by the task
force, which had several of its members participate. The inservices reached
numerous classrooms. Jeff’s efforts extend statewide and beyond.
considerate and charitable officer who also serves on the sexual assault
and domestic violence task force. Jeff knows the community, understands the
issues, and is very skilled at essential networking. I was able to observe
Jeff leading interactive workshops with local high school students about the
growing problem of teen dating violence. The programs were run by the task
force, which had several of its members participate. The inservices reached
numerous classrooms. Jeff’s efforts extend statewide and beyond.
With such great leaders in mind, I can borrow a few thoughts from the mayor
of another municipality, and simply plug in the word “Pocatello.”
of another municipality, and simply plug in the word “Pocatello.”
Pocatello is a city of limitless strength and unbounded potential. It is a
city of hope and promise. Pocatello is a city of accomplishment and a city
of struggle. Pocatello’s people, like the gates from our Gate City nickname,
are strong, resilient, enduring and when we come together there is nothing
we cannot create or achieve.
city of hope and promise. Pocatello is a city of accomplishment and a city
of struggle. Pocatello’s people, like the gates from our Gate City nickname,
are strong, resilient, enduring and when we come together there is nothing
we cannot create or achieve.
Michael Strickland of Pocatello is an author and teacher.
