Advertising and PR
Brandon Coates has joined Peppershock Media as a new account manager and public relations specialist. Coates will focus on providing clients with customized solutions to meet their marketing and public relations needs.
Coates comes to Peppershock Media with 13 years of experience managing strategic communication, media and public relations, marketing and public outreach/involvement campaigns for government agencies, corporations, non-profit groups and municipalities. Although he has spent the past 17 years living and working in the Treasure Valley, his projects have taken him across Idaho and beyond. He most recently worked for POWER Engineers as a public involvement specialist where he worked to engage the public in the planning and decision-making process for energy-related projects throughout the U.S.
Peppershock Media is a full-service advertising agency offering marketing consulting and creative production services.
Associations
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau have entered into a services agreement to form a strategic partnership. The goal is to employ a more focused and unified vision in a coordinated strategy to promote the Treasure Valley.
The partnership will reduce costs by sharing resources and increase productivity by eliminating overlap and duplication. Beginning in early March, BCVB's offices will be located on the same floor as the Chamber and the Boise Valley Economic Partnership at 250 S. Fifth St.
"Now all three entities that strive to promote the Boise Valley, including the Chamber, the Boise Valley Economic Partnership and the Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be in the same location, working together," says Bill Connors, president and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. "This is a partnership that has proven to yield great results in many cities across the country, and we look forward to bringing the same benefits here to Boise."
Education
James Anderson has been appointed associate vice president for enrollment services in the Division of Student Affairs at Boise State University. He will assume his new duties in early April.
Anderson was the managing director for enrollment planning and information services at Texas Tech University, where he provided strategic guidance and support for the Division of Enrollment Management, vice president of Enrollment Management and Division of Student Affairs. He served on the Strategic Enrollment Management Steering Committee and co-authored Texas Tech's Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. While he was part of Texas Tech's leadership team, the school realized its third year of record enrollment, diverse student body and increased retention rates.
Anderson also brings experience in financial aid, having served as associate director of the Office of Student Financial Aid at Texas Tech prior to his managing director role. He also serves as a strategic enrollment planning consultant for Noel-Levitz, where he assists colleges and universities through strategic enrollment planning.
He has presented at a number of financial aid and enrollment services conferences and meetings, including the Southern Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers conference. He has received several awards, including the Texas Tech Quality Service Award in 2010. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master's degree in higher education administration, both from Texas Tech.
Boise State's associate vice president for enrollment management reports to the vice president for student affairs and provides strategic leadership for enrollment planning and management efforts. Anderson will serve on the university's Executive Enrollment Committee and provide direction and supervision to Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, Enrollment Services and New Student and Family Programs.
Engineering
Andy Bowen, PE joins WHPacific's Boise office as a senior bridge engineer to expand WHPacific's structural group across the company. He is a motivated achiever with 12 years of professional experience in the United States conducting preliminary TS&L (type, size and location) through final design and construction for any size project, bridge inspections and bridge load ratings.
His project experience includes structural design at all phases with a focus on designing the right bridge for the right location. Before joining WHPacific, Bowen held positions with Moyano Leadership Group, HDR Engineering, and URS Corporation, where he was involved with a variety of bridge and structural projects throughout the country. Most notably, Bowen was involved with the Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners' Statewide Bridge Delivery Program, $1.3 billion program concentrated on replacing or repairing 365 bridges across Oregon. He also served as a bridge engineer for the IH 10/Beltway 8 Interchange in Houston, Texas.
Financial services
John Shaw of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Boise has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to use the certification mark CFP.
Shaw successfully completed CFP Board's initial certification requirements, which include financial planning coursework and a comprehensive examination.
Individuals who hold CFP certification must agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and uphold CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards.
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. In January 2013, for the 14th year, Edward Jones was named one of the best companies to work for by Fortune Magazine in its annual listing.
Nonprofits
Jason Sears, a nonprofit executive with 10 years of mentorship experience in the Treasure Valley, has been hired as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho.
Sears replaces Nora Carpenter, who left earlier this year to become of CEO of United Way of the Treasure Valley.
Sears previously served as director of Visitor Services at the Discovery Center of Idaho and formerly held director-level positions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County. He also served as a communications and technology volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Namibia.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho is the largest youth mentoring organization in Idaho and provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships. For additional information: www.bbbsidaho.org.
Britt Udesen has been named executive director of The Cabin. Udesen has been with Sun Valley Center for the Arts, where she served as director of education and humanities for eight years. She founded a nationally recognized lecture series and collaborated with regional nonprofits, arts organizations and school districts to respond to community needs. Before moving to Idaho, Udesen worked at Textile Center in Minneapolis, served as director of summer programs at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul and taught at Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Udesen currently serves as board president of the Wood River Arts Alliance.
Located in an historic log cabin on Capitol Boulevard along the Boise River, The Cabin aims to inspire a love of reading, writing and discourse throughout the region.
Utilities
The United Water Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Life's Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk young adults through life skills and culinary arts training.
The foundation's contribution will support Life's Kitchen's 16-week, skills-based training program for people ages 16 to 20. In addition to the culinary arts, students learn basic life skills such as personal finance, resume writing, job interview techniques, preparing tax returns and how to secure housing.
