Media Center

Press Release

October 8, 2008

Boise, Idaho -- The IBCEE is pleased to announce that John Glerum, former President and CEO of Ore-Ida Foods, Inc, has agreed to join the IBCEE Board and become Chair of IBCEE’s Teacher Quality, Retention and Professional Development Committee. John has been a member of IBCEE and this committee since 2006.

John brings to this task not only a strong background in business but also a firm footing in education. He serves today as Director of the Boise State TECenter in Nampa, a Technology and Entrepreneurial Center fostering world-changing technology and driven entrepreneurs.

John replaces Park Price in this committee chairmanship role. Park will continue serving as Vice-Chair of the IBCEE Board for Eastern Idaho.

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Press Release

April 16, 2008

Boise, Idaho -- The Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence (IBCEE) has reorganized its staff to more effectively respond to its growing responsibilities, according to Skip Oppenheimer, chairman of the organization.

“IBCEE has embarked on a major effort to help develop a long-range strategic plan for Idaho education by facilitating the planning deliberations of key education stakeholders (teachers, school administrators, school boards, business leaders, government leaders, and others),” Oppenheimer said.  “We’ve redirected the focus of our staff to help accomplish this task as well as address our other work.”

The changes are:

• Guy Hurlbutt, who has been active in IBCEE since its founding in 2003 and President for the past two years, has relinquished that role and becomes Senior Strategy Advisor.  He will assist the Education Strategy Working Committee, which was formed to develop the statewide strategy mentioned above.
• Vince Hannity has been named President and is responsible for IBCEE’s overall operations, including oversight of administrative functions and the work of our six committees.  Vince originally served IBCEE, shortly after it was launched, as the representative of Boise Cascade Corporation, from which he recently retired.
• Christine Donnell has served as part-time Executive Director since January 1 and continues in that role.  Christine is a retired superintendent of the Meridian School District and brings a wealth of education experience, contacts, and credibility.
• Marc Morris continues his key role as Coordinator. He is responsible for IBCEE communications, the IBCEE web site (www.ibcee.org), and coordination of many IBCEE activities.

IBCEE is a coalition of CEOs and presidents from businesses of all sizes throughout Idaho who are concerned about improving education and its contribution to Idaho’s economic strength and vitality.  IBCEE members, in collaboration with key education stakeholders, advocate for positive change in Idaho’s educational system.

In addition to the newly formed Education Strategy Working Committee, six other committees pursue agendas aimed at improving education in Idaho.  These include Early Childhood Learning, Student Achievement, Higher Education, Education Leadership, Teacher Quality, Retention and Professional Development, and Membership.

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Story ideas

The following list represents a small sample of potential IBCEE story ideas. There are endless possibilities and ever-evolving messages for editorial use:

• Where do Idaho business’s see a shortfall in Idaho Public Education?
• How can a merit or performance pay system improve Idaho Public Education?
• Redefining the School Leader - what Idaho business leaders are doing today.
• Business leaders take on student preparedness – prepared or not?
• Need for Community colleges – myth or reality?
• Why early childhood is important to Idaho business leaders.

Please Direct Media Inquiries to:

Vince Hannity

Skip Oppenheimer