Candidates for 2022-2023 IAC Board of Directors

1 Sep 2022, by Kristin Cundiff Share :

According to the IAC Bylaws and the rotation schedule for elections, a treasurer is eligible to run as the IAC 2nd Vice President for the upcoming year (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023).

Each candidate completed an application so they could share a little about themselves and why they are interested in the position. Candidates will also have a few minutes to speak at our IAC Annual Business meeting in September and voting will take place during the conference.

Candidate for 2nd Vice President

Summarize your background and how it relates to the position you are seeking.

I have been an elected official and IAC member for the past 7, almost 8 years now, and I believe that I have the experience and skill set to assist in continuing IAC’s objectives these next several years. This past year I served as the IACT President, and while in that capacity, attended several regional, as well as national conferences, where I was able to represent Idaho Treasurers, as well as Idaho elected officials in general. During my role as President, our Association was able to craft new legislation regarding County Treasurer Investments (hopefully it gets passed this year), reinstate the Communications Committee for IACT, and move towards having remote and electronic attendance at our periodic meetings. Before serving as President of IACT, I sat on the executive board of IACT in a number of different capacities (Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President). In addition to my experience and background lending well to this position, my fellow Treasurers requested that I run for the position, to represent our membership for IAC.

List participation and years of participation on any IAC Committees, the IAC Board of Directors, and any leadership positions within your affiliate organization.
  • Served as the IACT Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President
  • Served on IAC Public Lands Committee; IAC Environment, Energy, and Land Use Committee; and IAC Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
Briefly state your reasons for seeking the position and any other qualifications that might be an asset to IAC.

The following reasons are why I am seeking the position of IAC Vice President:

  • I would like to assist in bringing the educational opportunities and programs that I have attended over the past several years to other elected officials in Idaho.
  • I would like to contribute in a meaningful way to an organization that promotes strong ethical and professional conduct in government.
  • I would like to work towards making our County elected offices and positions better and stronger for our constituents.
  • I would like to represent our county officers and departments on a national level, and promote the good ideas and ideals that come from our great state.
  • As President of IACT, I understand the importance and necessity of the relationships between our different working organizations. In my capacity, I worked closely with NACCTFO (National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers) and brought the second largest delegation from any state to their past conference this July in Denver. The past several years I’ve attended several of the NAACTFO conferences. I’ve also worked with IAC to help provide educational opportunities and legislative updates to our body (provided by IAC).

Other qualifications that might be an asset:

  • Financially literate, broad understanding of budgets/revenues/expenses/etc.
  • Small business owner
  • Fluent in Excel
  • Serviceable Spanish Language skills
  • BA from Whitman College
List IAC/NACo/WIR events/conferences/meetings

For the past 8 years, each year, I have attended the IAC Annual Legislative Conference in September, and the IAC Midwinter Conference. I have also attended several County Officials Institutes as well. I’ve attended the one WIR conference that was held in Sun Valley a number of years ago, and participated in virtual WIR meetings remotely.

NACo Representative Candidate

Summarize your background and how it relates to the position you are seeking.

With the exception of a few years after high school, Grangeville has been my lifelong home. As such, I had many opportunities to lead and serve in our small community. I have held leadership positions all of my life through high school, into college and on in to adulthood.

I am a long time employee of Idaho County with more than 35 years of public service under my belt. My ten years work experience in District Court prepared me for a position as a Civil Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office. That position afforded me the opportunity to pursue teaching for Idaho POST, where I taught Instructor Development and achieved the level of Master Instructor. The retirement of Rose Gehring in 2011 opened the door for me to pursue a new level of service as the Idaho County Clerk, a position I have held since that time.

I am a “sit in the front of the class” type of person. I enjoy being engaged and active. I like working with others to get things done. IAC has provided numerous opportunities for me to grow in knowledge and experience, to meet people and form valuable friendships, and to utilize my talents in a broader arena.

The past three years has allowed me to become involved with NACo. I have served on the NACo Board of Directors for the past year as our NACo 100% Representative. I am also a member of the Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. I know the level of commitment that is expected and am willing to work hard to represent Idaho in the best possible light on a national level.

List participation and years of participation on any IAC Committees, the IAC Board of Directors, and any leadership positions within your affiliate organization.
  • 2012-2013 IAC District 2 Secretary/Treasurer
  • 2013-2014 IAC District 2 President
  • 2014-2016 IAC District 2 Secretary/Treasurer
  • 2014-2015 IACC Secretary/Treasurer
  • 2015-2016 IACC Vice President
  • 2016-2017 IACC President
  • 2017-2018 IACC Immediate Past President
  • 2013-2019 IAC Board of Directors Representing IACRC and IACC
  • 2014-Current IAC Ethics Committee Chair
  • 2019 IAC Secretary/Treasurer
  • 2020 IAC Vice President
  • 2021 IAC President
  • 2022 IAC Immediate Past President
Briefly state your reasons for seeking the position and any other qualifications that might be an asset to IAC.

My year of serving on the NACo Board of Directors as our 100% Representative has allowed me an opportunity to learn and understand the valuable connection between our state organization (IAC) and the national organization (NACo). Participating in NACo has opened many doors regarding programs and training that I have tried to share with IAC members. An example is the confusion surrounding ARPA guidelines. At the Midwinter Conference, I was able to share valuable insights about what I have learned from numerous speakers and trainings held by NACo.

I have been actively engaged in IAC activities and leadership. I have learned and grown from the opportunities I’ve been given and would be honored to serve as a connection between NACo and IAC as the NACo Board Representative.

List IAC/NACo/WIR events/conferences/meetings

I have attended all IAC conferences, as well as affiliate conferences for IACC and IACRC over the past four years.

I attended the NACo Annual Conference in Las Vegas in 2019, the NACo Legislative Conference in 2020, the WIR Annual Conference in 2021, and the NACo Legislative Conference in 2022. Additionally, I attended the NACo Board Meeting held in Atlanta in December of 2021.

WIR Representative Candidate

Summarize your background and how it relates to the position you are seeking.

Currently, I am the IAC WIR Representative! I have testified before Congress several times and recently was asked to represent NACo during a Congressional Subcommittee hearing. I served three times in the Idaho State Senate, and thus have a solid understanding of how our State Legislature works. I know my way around DC and have professional and personal relationships with Idaho’s Senators and Congressional Reps. I have an in-depth knowledge of PILT and SRS. I have attended most PILT and SRS Fly-ins, plus participated in the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition meetings and calls.

List participation and years of participation on any IAC Committees, the IAC Board of Directors, and any leadership positions within your affiliate organization.

I have served on IAC Public Lands and Transportation committees since I became a county commissioner in 2007. I picked up the WIR position two years ago when Gordon Cruickshank resigned.

Briefly state your reasons for seeking the position and any other qualifications that might be an asset to IAC.

I have a passion for and knowledge of the issues that affect the Western States. I have established relationships with WIR leadership and other participants from Western States.

List IAC/NACo/WIR events/conferences/meetings

Since taking the position as Idaho’s WIR Representative, I have attended all of the WIR and NACo events/conferences/meetings other than one. And the only reason I did not attend that NACo Conference in DC was because DC would not let me attend as I did not have my papers (proof of having the experimental vax).