IAC Honors Award Recipients at 2024 Annual Conference

30 Sep 2024, by Jessica Roth Share :

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) hosted its 2024 Annual Conference in Downtown Boise this September. One of the many highlights of the event was the awards banquet to honor distinguished county elected officials.

The Mills-Adler Award is given to officials from various affiliate associations for their dedication and significant contributions to their counties. The award is named in honor of two distinguished county elected officials: the late Darwin Mills, Lincoln County Sheriff, and the late Betty Adler, Payette County Treasurer. Both exemplified the qualities all county elected officials strive for.

Recipients of the Mills-Adler Award for 2024:

Brian Stender, Canyon County Assessor (not present: award accepted by Debbie Moxley-Potter, Washington County Assessor)

Brian Stender never hesitates to take a call or help when and where he is needed. He is proactive in ensuring that his association has a strong voice in legislative matters and is quick to address any needs of his employees at a moment’s notice. Appointed county assessor in 2017 and officially elected in 2018, Brian serves and actively engages in his role and in a variety of IAC matters. Brian is the Chair of the Assessors Rules Committee and he serves on the Assessors Urban Renewal Committee, IAC Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is a District 3 member of the IAC Valuation Litigation Committee. Earlier this year, he was also selected to represent his county on the IAC Board of Directors. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a finance degree and worked at the Washington County Assessor’s office from 2000-2007 as an appraiser and Chief Deputy prior to his current occupation as a county assessor.

Kathy Ackerman, Idaho County Clerk

Described as the ‘go-to’ person for virtually any situation that may arise, Kathy Ackerman is someone who many rely on for important advice and direction. She is knowledgeable on all things related to counties, whether it be the history or relevant resources to help resolve a tough situation. Kathy has been a huge advocate of IAC and always encourages her staff and peers to attend various trainings or conferences for continued education, resources, and professional development. Idaho County’s Board of County Commissioners ‘shudders’ to think what the day to day may be like without Kathy as their clerk. Endeavors are more easily tackled with her involvement.

Some of those close to her know that she may require a power nap around noon, also known as an “Ackerman”, as anyone would when they are as much of a get-it-done individual as she is. They’ve also mentioned that she is not the biggest fan of camping, so in 2012, the Board of County Commissioners drafted a resolution that forbid her husband from taking her camping within three days of any meeting with the commissioners in order to protect their health and safety. Idaho County’s commissioners couldn’t be more grateful to have her as their county clerk and are beyond appreciative of her dedication and service to her friends, family, and community.

Denis Duman, Idaho County Commissioner

For over 30 years, Denis Duman has been serving his hometown of Cottonwood. In 1986 he was elected to the Cottonwood City Council, and in 1987 he was elected to serve as the representative for Idaho County on the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce and served two terms, both of which he served as the president. In 1992, he became the mayor of Cottonwood and helped undertake many different issues to implement positive changes in his community. Whether it was aiding in a solution for a huge sewer pond concern that he helped resolve by getting a grant and passing a bond to pay for necessary changes on the property, or by devising a plan to help get a city clerk’s office in Cottonwood. Furthermore, Denis has been instrumental in helping to solve water flow issues throughout the whole town of Cottonwood and in acquiring a FEMA grant to help repair all the damages.

Denis has also been in charge of the Cottonwood and Idaho County airports, and as a pilot himself, was able to understand the needs that an airport requires. He ensures that both airports are taking advantage of the latest technology and that their infrastructure is being properly maintained. He is thorough and meticulous about all aspects of county government and the utilization of taxpayer funds. He has been a leader in accomplishing many important projects that benefit the communities of Cottonwood and Idaho County.

His engagement with IAC has punctuated his dedicated career of public service. He has served as a board member on the IAC Board of Directors, Vice Chair of the IAC Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, President of IAC District 2, and President of the Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks (IACC). In addition, he also served on the district public health board and has spent a lot of time working on regional solid waste solutions for several different counties. Denis has been a role model and inspiration for governing with integrity and stamina, and Idaho County has been blessed with his service and dedication.

Pamela Garlock, Boise County Coroner (not present: award accepted by Torey Danner, Bannock County Coroner)

Pamela Garlock began her employment as a deputy county coroner in 1998. She was then elected as County Coroner in 2002 and was subsequently re-elected three times after. She honorably served in our military, and began her service in 1985, serving as a Staff Sergeant with the Army National Guard. She was then employed as a full-time dispatcher in 2000, officially retiring in February of 2024. She also dedicated her time as a volunteer EMT from 1997-2023 with the East Boise County Ambulance. These accomplishments and her career are a clear indicator of her dedication to serving her community and helping make a lasting difference for the people around her.

Kirk MacGregor, Idaho County Prosecuting Attorney (not present: award accepted by Skip Brandt, Idaho County Commissioner)

Having continuously held his current position since 2005, with his service as an attorney since 1989, Kirk MacGregor’s experience and dedication to a career in public service speaks for itself. He has served on several membership boards, including being on the board of directors for the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association (IPAA), several committees regarding courthouse security for Idaho County, serving as the attorney for the Idaho County Board of Community Guardians, and he was the vice president of the Second Judicial District in the late 1990’s, of which he now serves as the director. Having spent much of his time as an attorney prosecuting individuals for serious criminal acts, from murder prosecutions to robberies and thefts, Kirk has sustained a valiant focus on keeping his community, and all of Idaho residents, safe and secure.

He has also taken the opportunity to be a part of multiple task forces, such as the Idaho County Subdivision Task Force, which helped rewrite antiquated Idaho County subdivision ordinances, a complicated matter due to the large size of Idaho County’s geographical area. In addition, he has been the attorney for the Idaho County Multi-Disciplinary Task Force, made up of law enforcement, juvenile probation, school officials, substance abuse counselors, and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare case workers. He has assisted Idaho County’s diligent efforts to provide support to abused, neglected, or troubled youth.

Bart Heslington, Bear Lake County Sheriff

Bart Heslington has been in law enforcement for over 35 years. He is currently finishing up his second term as sheriff and is now running for this third. He is devoted to his responsibility as the President of the Idaho Sheriff’s Association (ISA) for 2024 and proudly servers all 44 Idaho counties.

Beginning his law enforcement career in Utah, he served in the Ogden Police Department before becoming a county sheriff. During his service in Utah, he was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest level of award that a living recipient is able to receive in the state of Utah. This was a result of a SWAT operation where this individual served as an on-scene commander during a life-threatening situation. Shots were exchanged during the operation and one of his officers was hit. The well-deserved Medal of Valor award is representative of who Bart consistently chooses to be; someone who prioritizes his community’s safety and doesn’t falter in the face of danger. As he finishes his presidential term for the ISA in December, Bart will serve as the past president of ISA in 2025 and continue to represent integrity, honor, and valor in the Idaho Sheriff’s Association and within his community.

Annette Dygert, Owyhee County Treasurer

Growing up on a ranch outside of McGill, Nevada, Annette Dygert learned how to ride before she could walk. She has been known to say, “There is nothing like trailing cows on a beautiful day out in the country.” Annette started her career in county government as a Chief Deputy Treasurer on December 19, 2004.

After serving as Chief Deputy Treasurer for 12 years, she was appointed to the position of County Treasurer in 2017 and was voted into office in 2018, now serving her second term. She has actively participated on several committees within the Idaho Association of County Treasurers (IACT) and has been a strong advocate for the association, while also serving on the IAC legislative committee, IAC Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, and currently going through the leadership chairs of the IACT Executive Board. She is preemptive in cultivating relationships with legislators in helping halt legislation that would have proven to be detrimental to counties, and instead helped shift focus along with bill sponsors, onto alternative solutions that resulted in positive outcomes. She is persistent in her outreach to legislators on numerous issues that are very important to IAC members and has been essential in educating many people on all aspects of a variety of bills.

She is also very active in her community. She serves on the local county Republican Central Committee and has been a 4-H leader for the youth for several years, all while finding time to volunteer within her counties, church, and community. She is dependable, an excellent leader, and is the person to get the job done with integrity and honor, regardless of what it might entail. She exemplifies her role as a County Treasurer and does it with a strict code of ethics and honor.

The H. Sydney Duncombe Award

The second distinction presented at the conference was the H. Sydney Duncombe Award, which is IAC’s highest honor given to individuals who have greatly contributed to furthering county government through development and education in Idaho. The award was created in 1988 in honor of the late Dr. H. Sydney Duncombe, who taught and trained numerous county officials in their roles and responsibilities. This year’s recipient was nominated to receive the award by two separate IAC districts.

The recipient of the H. Sydney Duncombe Award for Excellence in County Government is Doug Zenner, Nez Perce County Commissioner.

Doug Zenner has held numerous leadership positions in addition to his serving as a county commissioner since 2005. Having served the IAC membership through continuous and robust participation by representing the Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks on the IAC Legislative Committee, while also serving as Chair of the IAC Transportation Committee and Chair of the Capital Crimes Defense Fund. In addition, he has participated on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the IAC Natural Resources Policy and Litigation Fund Committee. He has also been a vocal advocate for bridge replacement funding for local governments. Doug’s deep involvement and persistent activism have directly helped IAC secure $600 million towards this very important endeavor. He has been instrumental in providing assistance to IAC by advocating for IAC’s legislative priorities and addressing pressing needs that have benefitted all Idaho citizens.

Doug has been articulate and thoughtful when interacting with individuals from across the state, whether it be fellow public officials, the Idaho State Legislature, or those within his local community. His positive demeanor helps to convey confidence and cultivates a spirit of cooperation with those around him. His willingness to engage with people who can provide assistance for local governments creates positive change and helps to inspire others to do the same. Doug doesn’t hesitate to call things as he sees them, but this direct approach has never diminished his ability to create positive and constructive outcomes.

Having been called out by Governor Little during several public speeches for his work on funding for bridges, it is no secret that he has thoughtfully advocated for the benefit of the people of Idaho, and it is no small thing to receive positive acclaim from the Governor. Though he may have been a ‘squeaky wheel’ in the process, it only speaks to his resolve in creating a lasting difference for his community.

Having been actively involved in IAC and its affiliate organizations, he has participated in the positive development of several training opportunities for county officials. His insight, experience, positive attitude, and guidance have helped provide the foundation on which the rest of us can learn and grow. It is impossible to adequately express all the reasons why he is deserving of this award because much of the work done by elected officials is often behind the scenes and without much fanfare. His dedication to public service and a desire to create positive changes in his community is just a glimpse of what just a few know about him.

Additionally, Franklin County Prosecutor Vic Pearson was honored by newly elected IAC President John David Davidson for his leadership as IAC President over the past two years.

IAC was honored to acknowledge these exemplary individuals and highlight their many achievements and services to Idaho’s counties and the organization.

Graduates of the County Officials Institute (COI) training program for local government officials were also awarded their certificates of completion at the ceremony.

Graduates included Blaine County Treasurer John David Davidson, Lemhi County Treasurer Kammy McFarland, Lemhi County Assessor Jenny Rosin, Nez Perce County Commissioner Don Beck, Bingham County Assessor Donavan Harrington, Nez Perce County Treasurer Missy McLaughlin, Oneida County Commissioner Bill Lewis, and Oneida County Clerk Lon Colton.