Job changes, recognition in the Treasure Valley

JOB CHANGES

Indepth Solutions Inc. has announced the addition of Ralph D. Perez to the firm.

Indepth Solutions Inc. is a records research firm specializing in providing research and outsourcing services to companies in nine Western states.

Perez is a former vice president with Dennis M. Baker and Associates and has more than 20 years' experience in the real estate industry. He will serve as the new director of business development in the Boise-based corporate headquarters. His primary responsibilities include the development and leadership of the title company services division.

RECOGNITION

Leaders of the Elmore-Ada Water Project, a planned water development project to serve future development of the desert region between Mountain Home and Boise, have appointed water law specialist Norm Semanko to their project team.

Semanko, who in 2008 joined Phoenix-based Rose Law Group/Borton on a part-time basis, has extensive experience representing clients in administrative proceedings before the Idaho Department of Water Resources, the Snake River Basin Adjudication, the Idaho Supreme Court and federal court, representing municipal and agricultural clients involved in litigation concerning the Endangered Species Act.

He has represented Idaho on the Western States Water Council and is past president of the National Water Resources Association representing members in 17 Western states. He also continues to serve as executive director and general counsel for the Idaho Water Users Association. Semanko is a member of the Eagle City Council and is the chairman of the Idaho Republican Party.

The Elmore-Ada Water Project was paid for by public and private investors, including the city of Mountain Home, brought together by the principals of Boise-based consulting firm SPF Water Engineering.

Idaho's chapter of the Public Relations Society of America has announced its slate of officers for 2009.

The chapter will be led by president Joanne Taylor, director of public relations and social media strategy at Drake Cooper, a Boise-based marketing communications agency.

Taylor has more than 20 years of experience in public relations management, having led PR efforts for three publicly traded companies and several clients at Drake Cooper. She has served on the PRSA Idaho Board of Directors since 2005 and is an adjunct professor at Boise State University.

Seven additional officers will serve on the board, including president-elect Sydney Sallabanks, principal at Gallatin Public Affairs; past president Georganne Benjamin, assistant director of strategic communications at Regence; secretary Robbie Johnson, public information specialist for Ada County Highway District; and treasurer Rick Phillips, APR, public relations manager for JR Simplot Co. Members-at-large will include Beth Toal, public relations manager at St. Luke's Health System; David Compton, APR, owner of Compton Communications; and Christine Lynch, public affairs communications manager at Regence.

The board of directors for the Boise Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has elected Lisa Baird as treasurer.

Baird is the owner of Idaho Business Services, which provides bookkeeping and payroll services to small businesses. She has seven years of experience in finance and accounting. Baird holds a master's of business administration and a bachelor's in finance from Boise State. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, and the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

News Assistant Pat Carson compiled this report. E-mail bizcom@idahostatesman.com, fax Your Business Community at 377-6449, or write to Your Business Community, c/o Newsroom, Idaho Statesman, P.O. Box 40, Boise, ID 83707. Individual portraits are welcomed. All submissions become the property of the Statesman.