RIVDA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administration
- CEO & President / CEO & President
Jeff was hired as President and CEO of Region IV Development Association, Inc. (RIVDA) in December 2019. Since 2004, Jeff has been involved in community and economic development activities in South-Central Idaho. He has a love for the work that he does, the Magic Valley, and for the State of Idaho.
Jeff is an Idaho native and was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. In 2004, he graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. After graduation, Jeff was hired by Region IV Development Association (RIVDA) and worked as a Community Development Planner, Grant Administrator Specialist, and a Loan Closing Specialist. During his first term of employment with RIVDA, he worked on projects throughout the region that ranged from water and sewer improvements, fire station construction and fire truck acquisition, senior/community center renovations, downtown revitalization, job creation, and much more. He also assisted the loan division with closings SBA 504 loan and internal loan programs.
In 2013, Jeff was presented with the opportunity to work for the City of Rupert as their Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer. He left RIVDA and accepted that position in 2013. While with the City, he managed all financial transactions and records, prepare annual operating budgets, managed payroll and human resources, was the City's grant specialist and continued to maintain his Certified Grant Administrator status, was part of the City's Economic Development Team and served as the City of Rupert's Urban Renewal Agency Finance Officer.
Jeff's most notable work at the City was his work in project development and grant writing. The City of Rupert accomplished several projects and received grant funding that benefited the MC Fitness and Community Center, Inc., the Rupert Square, the Rupert Outdoor Shooting Complex, Minidoka County Senior Center, and several businesses in the area.
Jeff's accomplishments lend to his impressive leadership skills. His knowledge and passion in economic and community development in the southern Idaho region encompass the position of President at Region IV Development. In his new role as President, Jeff is excited to work with the Region IV Development team by creating sustainable partnerships to work together toward a growing, vibrant southern Idaho.
Jeff lives in Twin Falls, Idaho with his wife Leslie and their four children.
Jennifer grew up in the small town of Eden Idaho, farming with her dad. After graduating from Valley High School, Hazelton, ID she then attended the University of Idaho. She returned to the Magic Valley where she worked in the title industry for 9 years. Jennifer joined the loan division team at Region IV Development in 2007. She is the Loan Closing Manager and Assistant Credit Analyst. Jennifer also services all the loans. She loves to help the small businesses in the communities that she grew up around.
In her free time Jennifer enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, spending time with family and friends and taking on new projects.
Job Titles:
- Loan Portfolio Specialist
Karen first came to work at Region IV Development while still in high school in June of 1978 as a summer youth participant in the CETA program. After graduation from high school and while attending the College of Southern Idaho, Karen was elected as a student body Senator, and as such, was approached by the RIVDA Director to serve on the Area IV Manpower Planning Board of Directors for the region representing youth. This kept her in contact with the RIVDA staff while attending CSI -- and when there was a job opening the summer of 1981, Karen was asked to rejoin the staff of RIVDA. Through that time, Karen served in the capacity of secretary, then office manager, and for a time, as the bookkeeper! Upon her marriage in 1991, Karen once again left RIVDA to move to Boise while her husband pursued graduate school.
In December 1992, Karen received a call, once again, from the Director of RIVDA stating that they heard that her soon-to-be expanding family may be moving back to Twin Falls, and if so, would she be interested in coming back to RIVDA to work primarily in the loan department. With that, Karen was back at RIVDA for her third, and should be final stint with the organization. With her now 40 years of on-the-job-training with RIVDA, Karen not only works in the Loan Division as the Loan Portfolio Manager, she also assists anywhere needed within the Association; from clerical, to block grant editing, to administrative duties to name a few. Currently, Karen and her husband Bruce are empty nesters who live on their 180 acre family farm south of Twin Falls.
Job Titles:
- Community and Economic Development Manager / Community and Economic Development Manager
As a Community Development Planner with Region IV Development Association (RIVDA) in Twin Falls, Idaho Dr. McFarlane works in partnership with regional cities and counties to solve common problems and help with the ever-growing demands of the communities. Michele's diverse background allows her to bring a unique perspective to projects. Michele grew up on a 4 th generation dairy farm in Wendell. After high school, she earned an Associate's degree from the College of Southern Idaho and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Boise State University. She returned to the Magic Valley where she spent six years as a teacher and debate coach before transitioning to the College of Southern Idaho where she served various roles including Assessment Specialist, Research Analyst, and Registrar. Michele went on to earn a Doctor of Education from University of Idaho. As part of the Economic Development team at RIVDA, she works on a variety of projects including grant writing, grant administration, strategic planning, and Brownfield project management.
Rob worked for Wells Fargo Bank for the last 23 years. His business lending experience has included retail, manufacturing, real estate, transportation, and agriculture. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics. Rob and his wife Laurie have six grown children and 16 grandchildren.
He enjoys hiking in the mountains, tennis, traveling to see beautiful places, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Financial Operations Administrator
Tedi grew up in southern Idaho in the small town of Paul. She graduated from Minico High School and attended Boise State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She promptly returned to the Magic Valley where she and her husband raised two daughters.
Tedi joined Region IV Development in 2015 as their Fiscal Operations Manager and loves being a part of the purpose they serve. In her free time, she enjoys running, attending almost any sporting event and TRAVELING. She has currently visited 44 states with her family but Idaho is still her favorite.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Officer