INL researchers honored at Idaho Innovation Awards

Luis Diaz Aldana and Tedd Lister of Idaho National Laboratory

The Idaho Innovation Awards honored inventors Tedd Lister and Luis Diaz Aldana of Idaho National Laboratory recently at a reception in Boise. This was the third major award Lister and Diaz Aldana received this year for Electrochemical Recycling Electronic Constituents of Value (E-RECOV), a process that uses an electrochemical cell to efficiently reclaim valuable metals and rare-earth elements from discarded electronic equipment. The technique leads to more thorough recycling of materials while significantly minimizing chemical use and waste generation, and can be accomplished domestically and economically. 

The annual Idaho Innovation Awards recognize innovations, innovative professionals and companies throughout the state. Stoel Rives LLP, a full-service, U.S. business law firm, has organized and hosted the program since 2006.

The technology was developed with funding from DOE’s Critical Materials Institute. Other awards won by E-RECOV include Federal Laboratory Consortium Far West Regional and TechConnect National Innovation Award. This patent-pending technology is also the focus of a collaborative Small Business Voucher project with Ohio-based eMaterials Recovery, LLC. The E-RECOV process is currently available for licensing. Interested parties can contact Ryan Bills for further information. You can learn more about E-RECOV in this video from the Idaho Innovation Awards or in this INL fact sheet.

Ohman takes seat on auditorium district board

John "Mick" Ohman

The Idaho Falls Auditorium District (IFAD) has added John “Mick” Ohman to its board of directors, filling the vacancy left by Ryan Meikle.

Ohman has been an attorney in Idaho for more than 40 years. He received his BSBA and Juris Doctor degrees from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. He is an active contributor to a wide range of local charitable organizations and activities, served as an officer in the United States Army, and has served as Chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board. He is a member of the Idaho and Nebraska State Bars, the United States District Courts, the United States Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

The Idaho Falls Auditorium District was established in 2011 and is involved in the planning and eventual construction of an events center in the Snake River Landing development on the city’s south side. Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Business Development Center, 425 N. Capital Ave. For more information, visit www.idahofallsauditoriumdistrict.com.

Idaho Falls real estate agent elected to Women's Council of Realtors executive committee

Chris Pelkola Lee

Idaho Falls real estate dynamo Chris Pelkola Lee was elected to the executive committee of the Women’s Council of Realtors at its annual national conference, which ended Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

Lee is the owner of simpLEE Home. A native of the Chicago area, she has been a licensed Realtor in Idaho since 2007 and a licensed associate broker since 2011. Her certifications include:

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
• Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI)
• Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
• Performance Management Network (PMN)
• Short Sales and Foreclosure Resources Certification (SFR)
• REALTOR® Technology Certification (ePRO)

“I find I have become quite passionate about guiding my clients through the transaction process and helping them avoid potential pitfalls and inherent risks along the way,” she said. “The data is out there for everyone. My role is as a guide, trusted advisor and negotiator.”

The Women’s Council of Realtors dates back to the 1930s, when the National Association of Real Estate Boards witnessed a growth of women working in real estate and an increased participation of women at national conventions. A Women's Division had been created in 1924 by the California Real Estate Association, and in 1938 National President Joseph Catherine encouraged the formation of a national Women's Council after being impressed by the California group.

At the time, NAR was already 30 years old, but most decisions were still made by local boards — most of which were resistant to offering membership to women. However, the National Association was ready to recognize women in real estate, and a positive vote resulted in the formation of a women's division at the Annual Convention in Milwaukee in November 1938. Thirty-seven ambitious women represented nine states at that meeting for Women's Council's inception.

For more information about Lee, here is a link to her Facebook business page: https://www.facebook.com/IFListings/?pnref=lhc

Idaho Business Review seeking Women of the Year nominees

The Idaho Business Review is taking nominations through Nov. 14 for its annual Women of the Year honors.

The award honors women who are shaping Idaho's economic and community well-being through their outstanding leadership, mentoring efforts and community involvement. Now in its 12th year, IBR's Women of the Year is presented by Hawley Troxell Attorneys and Counselors.

Two eastern Idaho finalists honored earlier this year were Rebecca Noah Casper, mayor of Idaho Falls, and Dana Boothe Kirkham, mayor of Ammon. No  arguing with their selection, but perhaps it would be a good idea to widen our scope a little more this year.

Nominations are open to successful women from public, private and
charitable businesses in Idaho. The application deadline is Nov. 30 and the finalists will be announced Dec. 16. The gala will be held in Boise on March 9. Women can be honored up to three times, earning them a place in the Circle of Excellence.

Here is a link to the nomination form: http://idahobusinessreview.com/nominate/

Here’s a link to the program from last spring: 2016 Idaho Business Review Women of the Year

Madsens retiring from craft business after nearly 40 years

The sign at Madsen's store on West Broadway, which has been open since 1999. Before then, Dale and Pat Madsen were in the Skyline Shopping Center.

By CARRIE SNIDER
EastIdahoNews.com

After nearly 40 years of hard work and memories, owners Dale and Pat Madsen are retiring.

The Madsens have developed long-lasting relationships with their customers over the years.
Dale is often found on the floor of the store in his signature hat his children gave him several years ago. He’s a definite people person with a frugal nature and good business savvy, Pat said. Plus, he just loves what he does.

Their customers are not happy to see the store go. “We’ve had customers come in and say, ‘We aren’t sure how we are going to get on without you,’” said Dale.

The store as it is today got its start after Dale earned his degree in business management, and he found that working in the Sears management program in Utah wasn’t his cup of tea.

“I wanted to get back to where I grew up,” said Dale, who is originally from the Rigby area.
He and Pat had two small children at the time, and Pat remembers Dale calling her with the news.

“He told me he had quit Sears and had a job in Idaho Falls, and we didn’t even have a place to live yet,” said Pat.

But it all worked out just fine, she added. Dale went to work for the Ben Franklin store in the former Skyline shopping center at the corner of Broadway and Skyline in west Idaho Falls. It was a popular franchise variety store, and Dale thrived there. After four years, he bought the store from the owner.
As the business landscape changed, more people headed to big box stores for variety items, but

Dale’s store had a loyal following of those looking for unique crafts and fabrics. So in 1999, they bought the land and built the building where Madsen’s sits today, changing the name and focus to be crafts, fabric and framing.

“It was a big investment, but it worked out,” said Pat.

These days, Dale directs the day-to-day operations, while Pat takes care of payroll and ordering all of the fabric—a big job by itself, but one she has loved.

“I’ve been sewing since I was 8 years old,” she said. “People love our fabric. The quality is different.”

Pat said that the type of sewing people do has changed a lot over the years; many people used to sew their own clothes, but these days it is all about quilting.

“This has become the go-to place for the quilting groups in the area,” said long-time employee Sallie Hobbs.

Hobbs will miss the atmosphere of Madsen’s, where she will spend a lot of time cutting fabric up until closing day.

“Dale is optimistic and honest. It is a good place to work,” she said.

It’s also been a good place for the Madsen family. Dale and Pat have seven children and 24 grandchildren, and they fondly remember raising their children while juggling their time being small-business owners. In fact, the Madsens often brought their children to the store to help out with different things.

“When our kids get together they talk about all the stuff we made them do, like stocking yarn, building bikes, inventory, and building trampolines on Christmas Eve,” Pat said.

Although owning your own business is tough and isn’t something you do if you want to be a millionaire, it has its advantages, the couple said.

“Dale has been able to take the time to coach basketball and baseball,” Pat said.

Now, although Dale and Pat plan to keep their trampoline and swing set business open, they will be able to visit their family more.

“When it’s time to retire, you just know,” Pat said.