Washington, D.C.- Senator Jim Risch announced today that Mike Roach will be his Natural Resources Director, working out of Boise. Roach had been serving as Regional Director in the Senator's Lewiston office.
"With Mike's involvement in resource issues and his affinity for Idaho's backcountry, he is a great fit to serve as my Natural Resources Director. He has the temperament and drive to deal with the numerous natural resource issues, along with the organizations and individuals who are engaged in resolving these challenges," said Risch.
Roach is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife-Fisheries Resources. He served as a Wildlife and Range Sciences Guidance Council member for the U of I's College of Forestry and was a member of the District Advisory Council for the Bureau of Land Management - Boise District with his appointment by former Secretary of the Interior Manual Lujan. Prior to joining Risch's staff Roach was a bank vice president.
"I look forward to the challenge of serving as the Senator's Natural Resources Director. There are many issues that need to be addressed and by bringing involved parties to the table, hopefully we can reach a mutually acceptable solution in the use and protection of our natural resources," said Roach.
Replacing Roach as Regional Director in Lewiston is Mike Hanna. A resident of Orofino, Hanna is leaving the Kamiah-based Three Rivers Timber Company after nearly 14 years, most recently as a Resource Manager.
"I am very fortunate to find someone of Mike Hanna's background to take over as Regional Director in the Lewiston office. His experience in the natural resource industry and involvement in many area organizations will serve my constituents very well as they deal with federal issues and need the assistance of my office," Risch said.
"It is exciting to be joining the staff of Senator Risch," said Hanna. "This region is a special place and I am very pleased to utilize my skills and knowledge on behalf of the Senator for the benefit of the residents here."
Hanna is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry Management, and has done graduate work on a degree in Advanced Silviculture. He is an active member of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, President of the Intermountain Logging Conference, and member of the North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).
Joining Hanna in the Lewiston office is recent Lewis-Clark State College graduate, Tim Petersen. Petersen will oversee the constituent service work on behalf of Senator Risch. He graduated from LCSC in May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was elected as a student government Vice President and served as a Resident Assistant. Petersen also worked as an intern in Senator Mike Crapo's Lewiston office.
In Idaho Falls, Sarah Jane McDonald has joined Senator Risch's staff as a Constituent Service Representative. McDonald is an Idaho State University graduate with a degree in Human Resources Training and Development, and Professional Technical Education. She previously worked for Risch in the Governor's Office on constituent issues and as the Sergeant at Arms in the Idaho State Senate for 6 years. She joins Amy Taylor in the office who is the Regional Director.
Additional information and an e-mail link to contact Senator Risch can be found on his website at https://www.risch.senate.gov.
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