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Meet Your IRWA Board of Directors

Robert Dial

President

Region IV
Term Expires in March 2022
City of Firth
 

Beau Ziemer

Vice-President, Awards Committee Chair

Region II, At Large
Term Expires in March 2021
City of New Plymouth


AJ Gray

Secretary/Treasurer, Legislative Director

Region III
Term Expires in March 2022
City of Buhl


Brad Andersen

National Director, Conference Committee Chair

Region IV, At Large
Term Expires in March 2022
City of Iona


Bob Culver

Director, Training Committee Chair

Region III, At Large
Term Expires in March 2021
City of Jerome
rcculver@msn.com

Kevin McLeod

Director, IRWA Support Services and Building Committee Chair

Region II
Term Expires in March 2021
City of Star
kmcleod@starswd.com

Vacant Position

Director

Region I


 

Board Regions

Region I – Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Shoshone, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis, Nez Perce and Idaho counties
Region II – Adams, Valley, Washington, Boise, Gem, Payette, Canyon, Elmore, Ada and Owyhee counties 
Region III – Camas, Blaine, Butte, Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka, Jerome, Twin Falls, Cassia, Lemhi and Custer counties
Region IV – Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Teton, Bonneville, Bingham, Bannock, Caribou, Power, Oneida, Franklin and Bear Lake counties 
At-Large – Anywhere in Idaho
Regional Map

Duties of the Board of Directors

  • To conduct and supervise the affairs of the Association, including the designation of committees. 
  • To take charge of and be responsible for the property of the Association’s finances and the proceedings of the Association. 
  • To initiate, supervise, and approve plans and programs designed to achieve the objectives and purposes of the Association. 
  • To implement policies, programs or plans adopted at the annual meeting of the members. 
  • To determine policies of the Association consistent with the objectives and purposes of the Association as set out in the Articles of Incorporation. 
  • To provide for and attend annual and special meetings of the Association. 
  • To arrange for the annual audit of the Association by a certified public accountant. 
  • To provide for the dissemination of information to the members and to the public, as may be needed to provide suitable publicity for the work and status of the Association.

Board Member Eligibility

  • All Board of Directors positions are for a two year term. 
  • No director is entitled to compensation except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses for Association business. 
  • No former Association employee whose employment has been terminated for cause shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors. 
  • No person may become an employee if he/she is a member of the Board of Directors of IRWA or at least one hundred eighty-two (182) days has expired from the time he/she was last a member of the Board of Directors of IRWA.

Join the IRWA Board of Directors

If you’re interested in joining the IRWA Board of Directors, we’d love to hear from you! Our board members are vital to IRWA’s success, helping us achieve our mission of providing technical assistance, training, and a strong representative voice for the benefit of Idaho’s drinking water and wastewater utility systems. We welcome fresh perspectives and your enthusiasm to get more involved with the Association.

Submit Your Candidacy

To submit your candidacy, please download a Board of Directors Candidate Interest Form. Email the completed form and a candidate photo to office@idahoruralwater.com. Elections are held every March at our Annual Business Meeting, during the Annual Spring Conference. Candidacy submissions are accepted as late as the Annual Business Meeting.

Advertise Your Candidacy

The Water Gram: If we receive your form by November 24th, your candidacy will be printed in the winter edition of our quarterly magazine and be posted on our website. The IRWA Website: If we receive your form by February 28th, your candidacy will be posted on our website.

2020 Board of Directors Candidate Profiles

  • Region I Candidate 
  • Region II Candidate
  • At-Large (population over 10,000) Candidate
  • At-Large (population over 10,000) Candidate

Wesley Rice

System representing: City of Plummer
Title: Superintendent
Seat/region you are running for: Region I

My Name is Wesley Rice. When I started working for the City of St. Maries, they put me in the wastewater department. To be honest, at first it sounded like a “crappy” job.  Over time, I learned to appreciate what it really means to be a wastewater operator. I truly enjoy the science behind the processes and often catch myself looking into new technology and new ways to solve old problems. I have found what I want to do until I retire.

I am now the Superintendent for the City of Plummer. I work with drinking water, wastewater, streets, parks, cemeteries, and electric. Most of all I work with my community. The safety and well-being of our communities always come first in this job. 

IRWA has helped me more times then I can count. The people IRWA have represent them have always been awesome to work with and always willing to jump in and get dirty. IRWA also has great information and great trainings. In this career we always have room to grow and learn new things. My career goals will help me improve both on and off the job. IRWA has helped me and will continue to help me achieve those goals. 

I would like to be a part of IRWA. To say that I had any part of getting the right information or help to people like me, who really needed it, would be an honor. I believe my ability to listen, problem solve, and my passion to find new ways to solve old problems will help.


Beau Ziemer

System representing: City of New Plymouth
Title: Public Works Superintendent
Seat/region you are running for: Region III 

I started work with the City of New Plymouth in May 1999 and was appointed Public Works Superintendent in November 2000. I am a Certified Wastewater Treatment Lagoon operator, a Certified Wastewater Collection Level 2 operator, and a Certified Water Distribution Level 2 operator. Throughout my career in public works I have worked with federal and state legislators, as well as agencies such as FEMA, EPA, Idaho Department of Lands, and IDEQ. I work closely with these agencies and individuals to remain current with laws and rules. I participate in the rule-making process when possible. It is important to me to assure small rural communities have a voice. My system has received a variety of awards from Idaho Rural Water, including IRWA Wastewater System of the Year in 2009. In addition, the operators who work under me as well as myself have received special recognition for our dedication to our community. I was awarded IRWA Water Operator of the Year in 2010. 

 I have participated in many utility rate reviews and analyses serving as Public Works Superintendent. I previously held a seat on the Idaho Rural Water Board of Directors (2013 to 2015), as well as my current term and have represented Idaho’s rural communities in Washington DC. I am running for a position on the IRWA board simply to help maintain the level of service that our rural water systems receive as IRWA members. During my previous time on the board I was proud to serve the membership, and to be directly involved in the start-up of IRWA Support Services, LLC. This program will help IRWA keep Circuit Rider positions in water and wastewater regardless of government funding. One of my goals as your board member would be to help this program excel while protecting and maintaining the benefits of being an IRWA member.

Robert (Bob) Culver

System representing: City of Jerome
Seat/region you are running for: At-Large (population over 10,000) 

I have been married to my wife Carolyn for 49 years, we have 3 boys and 6 Grandchildren. I started my career in the water and wastewater field while I was in the Navy, I worked on water pumps, steam valves and valves of all types. I am a Vietnam Veteran.  

When I was honorably discharged from the Navy, I started working for the City of Jerome in the parks department then transferred to the water department.  I became involved with the Idaho Rural Water Association in the early to mid-1980s when there was only 5 or 6 people attending the meeting. I worked for the City of Jerome for 32 years and retired in 2007.  In January 2008, I was sworn into office as a City Council Member.  I have been on the City of Jerome Council for 13 years, I have been Council President for 10 years. I am on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Rural Water Association, and I was the National Director for the Idaho Rural Association for 13. I hold 2 State of Idaho Water Licenses. I completed the State Board Training that is required by the National Rural Water Association.
I am the Chairman of the Municipal Water Use Committee. I am on the Legislative Committee, Environmental Committee and Water Reuse Committee for the Association of Idaho Cities.  I am on the Board of Directors for Region 4 Development Corporation. I am also the Chairman of the Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program Committee. Working in the Water and Wastewater field is very rewarding, knowing that you are providing the public with clean and safe drinking water. I feel that being on the IRWA and the 13years that I was on the NRWA Board, I have grown as a person after having the opportunity to give input and be involved in Idaho water and wastewater issues throughout the state and nationally.  With my many years of experience that I have gained by being on the City of Jerome Council, Idaho and National Rural Water Board will help keep the association growing and financially strong. I am excited that the new IRWA Building has been completed and that we have moved in. I am running again for an at large position on the Idaho Rural Water Board and I would appreciate your support and vote.

Vacant

System representing: Star Sewer and Water District
Title: Water Manager
Seat/region you are running for: At-Large (population over 10,000)

As an operator for the City of Weiser, I learned about IRWA and the training opportunities. Training is an essential part of becoming a good operator. I spent four years with the City where I earned my Class 2 Distribution, Class 2 Water Treatment and BAT licenses. When I left the City, I went to work for IRWA as the second Circuit Rider and continued with them for more than 18 years. I have working knowledge of how IRWA’s Board and staff work to get the invaluable training out to the many operators in Idaho.

I now work for Star Sewer and Water District and would like to continue to assist IRWA in their commitment to Idaho water and wastewater operators. I will also now be relying on the expertise, knowledge, and training that IRWA provides. As a Circuit Rider, I have been involved in many changes at IRWA.

 Some changes were more challenging than others, but most of these changes have been positive ones. I would like to serve on the Board of Directors to help ensure that these changes continue to flourish. My years of experience with IRWA have provided me with a large network of people and organizations that I can utilize to help IRWA continue to grow.

As a Circuit Rider I was limited to what I could do by the contract I was under. As a Board Member I feel I would have more freedom to reach out to some of these people.

The main reason for being on the Board is to give back to IRWA and to continue to help the many systems and friends I have visited over the years.

 

 



2020 Annual Business Meeting Documents

If you are unable to attend the 2021 Annual Business Meeting on March 10th in Boise, you can still make your voice heard! Please find a letter from the IRWA Board President, Robert Dial, explaining your voting rights and process below. You will also find an Absentee Ballot Form, Voter Delegate Registration Form, and the Annual Membership Report. Absentee Ballot Forms will be accepted through March 4, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the IRWA office at (208) 343-7001 or office@idahoruralwater.com.