Edmunson Hired as Manager of Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho

COEUR d’ALENE — Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho has hired Clete Edmunson as its new executive director.

Born into a family of lumberjacks, Edmunson worked as a logger in southwestern Idaho before teaching in the Council Area and later working in school administration. He served three terms in the Idaho House of Representatives beginning in 2002, then spent three years as an adviser to then-Governor Butch Otter on education and transportation.

Edmunson replaces Shawn Keough, who is retiring after 24 years as executive director. Keough will work with Edmunson through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

“Clete’s experience as an educator will assist ALC-Idaho in its efforts to expand career and technical education courses to train the next generation of Idaho loggers and timber haulers,” Keough said. “His political experience will help ALC-Idaho and its members remain at the forefront of state and federal issues that impact our logging and hauling businesses.”

As executive director, Edmunson will represent the interests of more than 500 ALC-Idaho logging and transportation companies.

The 58-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident has two bachelor’s degrees from Idaho State University, a master’s degree in history from Boise State University and two master’s degrees in education from the University of Idaho. Before joining ALC-Idaho, Edmunson spent most recently 10 years as a high school principal and district superintendent in Idaho.

“It’s exciting to be returning to my logging roots,” Edmunson said. “Idaho’s forest products industry is one of the strongest in the country, and I am committed to ensuring its viability and advocating for the loggers and haulers who provide the people of Idaho and this country with access to the forest products they rely on every day.”

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Taryn Post is president of Dexter Peak Communications.