Board of Trustees

Don Pischner was a four-term Idaho Legislator representing the people of three counties; Kootenai, Benewah, and Shoshone.  He served seven years on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and became interested in the Idaho State Historical Society though the presentations made to the committee and his long-term interest in Idaho’s development.  He is a third generation Idahoan whose grandparents settled north of Hayden Lake during the 1890s. Mr. Pischner has a continued interest in the history of Idaho, its politics, characters and events of its territorial era. He has pursued his interest in the lives and adventures of “Chief Joseph,” “Lewis and Clark,” and “William ‘Billie’ Clagett. In the 1980s, he served six years on the Board of Directors for the Museum of North Idaho and was part of the establishment of the current facility that is home to it today.

Lewiston

Dr. Amy Canfield was raised in Idaho and considers herself lucky to be able to call it home again as an adult. She earned her BA in History from Idaho State University, and both her Masters and Doctorate from Washington State University. Her dissertation examined Idaho history, focusing on the Dawes Act and Reclamation Act at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. She is currently a Professor of History at Lewis-Clark State College, teaching classes on U.S. history, women’s history, public history, and American Indian history. She serves on the Historic Sites Review Board for ISHS, as well as the Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office advisory Board. Previously, she served on the board of directors for the Lewiston Civic Theatre, the Idaho Humanities Council, Idaho’s League of Women Voters state board, and the Nez Perce County Historical Society. She’s received teaching and researching awards from LCSC, a Women’s Leadership Award, and Idaho’s Brightest Stars Award for volunteering. She and her husband, Joel Mills, are raising their two daughters in Lewiston, where they enjoy kayaking, hiking, and backpacking. She is passionate about teaching and talking about history, historical interpretation and preservation, and Elvis. Always Elvis.

The Second Judicial District includes the counties of Clearwater, Latah, Lewis, Idaho and Nez Perce located in North Central Idaho.

Bill Butticci is an Idaho Native with family ties going back to the pioneer days. He is currently serving as County Commissioner of Gem County part time and is employed full-time at Micron Technology working in Quality Control.  Bill has also spent ten years living in Boston while supporting defense contracts and used the majority of the weekends taking the family to the historic sites of New England.

While serving as Mayor, Bill took steps to restore and preserve the historic sites in the community. A design Review Ordinance was developed and passed to maintain the look of the historic downtown district. The city park band shell has been restored and put back to its original use of having performances for community events. Currently Commissioner Butticci is working on the preservation of one of the oldest homes in the state of Idaho and including it as part of a Scenic Byway named 52 on 52 in which the house may be toured. Along with this Bill’s Revitalization Committee has promoted a walking trail which utilizes restored historical bridges from around Idaho which cross the waterways of the path. The Lolo Creek Bridge was presented with an Orchid Award. He believes that we must preserve our past and educate our youth to maintain our identity as not to get lost in the present. Commissioner Butticci currently serves on the board of directors for Sage, a Community of Councils and has been appointed for a second-term to the 3rd Judicial District Magistrate Courts Commission.

Idaho Judicial District 3 is comprised of the following counties: Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, and Owyhee

Boise

Mary Ann Arnold, originally from Ohio, came to Idaho via Louisiana. While studying for a master’s in mathematics at Louisiana State University, she met an undergraduate Air Force veteran who was a native Idahoan – as they say the – rest is history. After “tying the knot”, they relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where Mary Ann worked at NASA’s Lewis Research Center as an Aerospace Technologist/Computer Modeling-Physicists Team Member researching the viability of a full-scale Ion Engine which would provide an infinite source of power for space travel.

After her husband’s graduation, there was only one place to live – Idaho! Ultimately, after moving to Boise, Mary Ann joined Morrison-Knudsen, Inc., a world-wide Engineering and Construction company, as a Project Controls Engineer rising to the level of Corporate Executive Director with global responsibility for staff and projects in-country and over-seas.

While growing up in Ohio, Mary Ann’s family took many “history vacations”, to see firsthand, important historical sites in the mid-west and east coast. These excursions led to a life-long interest in history, especially the importance of preservation for future generations. As a result, after retiring from MK she was able to pursue her avocation blended with her vocation.

With her construction background and a long-time interest in history, she has had the opportunity to be engaged in two major projects: the Idaho State Museum Renovation as the Value Engineering & Community Fundraising Chair, and the Foote Park Interpretive Center, as Co-Founder. Foote Park is located near Lucky Peak Dam and honors the original New York Canal System designer/engineer and his wife. For this project, she spent hundreds of hours on historical research, plus extensive time on interpretive panel design, countless hours fund-raising, and finally, construction oversight for the center. Foote Park has been the recipient of an Orchid Award and the prestigious AASLH Award of Excellence. Mary Ann has served as Project Manager on other historical projects, notably, the Idaho Women’s Commemorative Sculpture on the Idaho State Capitol grounds.

Mary Ann is/has served as president of multiple boards and is also a member of many service clubs and non-profit organizations. She has received several community awards and service recognitions in her role as a community volunteer.

Idaho Judicial District 4  is comprised of the following counties: Valley, Boise, Ada, and Elmore

Paul Smith has had a working relationship with the Idaho State Historical Society since 1991. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in history. He has practiced law in California and Idaho. He served as regional assistant attorney general in the Magic Valley serving State agencies. Mr. Smith was appointed magistrate judge in Twin Falls, elected twice and served for five years.

Mr. Smith has served on several boards; Chairman of the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission from 1991 to 2001. He was involved with the creation of the Twin Falls Warehouse Historic District, The Twin Falls Downtown Historic District and the Twin Falls Original Town site project. He has also served eleven years as the trustee on the Idaho Heritage Trust board and served as chair for two of those years. Mr. Smith started and incorporated a non-profit organization, Preservation Twin Falls, to purchase Historic Properties in Twin Falls. He has served as president since 2005.

Idaho Judicial District 5 is comprised of the following counties: Camas, Blaine, Lincoln, Gooding, Minidoka, Cassia, Jerome

Jim Johnston is a real estate broker and former educator. Jim has a BS is Education from the University of Idaho; a Masters degree in Religious Education and a Minor in Educational Administration from Brigham Young University; he has also completed coursework for a D.A. in Government from Idaho State University.  Jim is very involved in politics and civic activities. He is past District Governor for Rotary International, a past National Director and Vice- President for the National Association of Realtors, and Past President of the Idaho State Civic Symphony. He was selected as the Idaho Business Leader of the year in 2007 by the Idaho State University College of Business.

Idaho Judicial District 6 is comprised of the following counties: Power, Bannock, Caribou, Bear Lake, Oneida, and Franklin

Idaho Falls

Dr. Cheryl O’Brien is an Associate Director at the Idaho Women’s Business Center, a nonprofit organization helping women thrive in business. This is her “retirement job” after a 30+ year career in engineering.

Cheryl holds B.S. and M.E degrees in Civil Engineering, and a D.A. in Political Science.

Cheryl started her career as a Naval Architect at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and worked for various contractors including Westinghouse, Lockheed-Martin, and Battelle Energy Alliance at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. Specializing in structural analysis and design of nuclear facilities, she moved through multiple levels of management in program development, energy management, and sustainable construction to become an Engineering Director. Cheryl was one of the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professionals in Idaho 20 years ago. She has volunteered on the Board of the Yellowstone Business Partnership locally, the Committee on Women and Diversity in Civil Engineering nationally, and organized engineering sessions and conferences internationally. Her political science expertise is in energy and technology policy which she continues to follow.

Cheryl and her husband Barry feel honored and lucky to live in a historic home. As distant relatives, they purchased the home of Fred and Anna Gustafson who were instrumental in developing the canal system in the Idaho Falls area from their descendants. The O’Briens also share agricultural family roots in Idaho.

Idaho Judicial District 7 is comprised of the following counties: Lemhi, Custer, Butte, Jefferson, Clark, Bingham, Bonneville, Teton, Madison, and Fremont