Idaho Commerce Department Director Ronk to join Idaho Power

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Department of Commerce Director Megan Ronk is stepping down to take a job with Idaho Power after nearly two years of leading the commerce department. Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced Monday that the department’s chief operating officer, Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, will take the director’s role when Ronk leaves on Jan. 1, 2018. Ronk will start working as Idaho Power’s Director of Business Innovation and Development on Jan. 2, according to a statement from the utility company. Ronk started working at the Department of Commerce in 2012, and was named director in January 2016 when her predecessor left to take a job in the private sector. Meuleman was a long-time Otter staffer, serving as his scheduler and named Otter’s deputy chief of staff in 2014. She joined the commerce department in June 2016.

Here is Gov. Butch Otter’s full announcement:

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced today that Chief Operating Officer Bobbi-Jo Meuleman will become director of the Idaho Department of Commerce on January 1 when Director Megan Ronk departs to lead business development efforts for Idaho Power Co.

“Megan wisely put a succession plan in place at Commerce that enables a seamless transition to Bobbi-Jo’s leadership. Both are experienced leaders who have established strong procedures and set high performance standards for the agency and its personnel,” Governor Otter said. “I’m confident the companies, communities and economic development organizations that work closely with the Department of Commerce will find that it continues to move at the speed of business.”

Ronk became Commerce director in January 2016 after Jeff Sayer returned to the private sector. She was chief operating officer under Sayer for almost four years, running day-to-day operations at the agency and overseeing its work on business expansion and recruitment, travel and tourism promotion, international marketing and interagency collaboration.

Meuleman joined Commerce as COO in June 2016. She previously was scheduler for Governor Otter for almost seven years, rising to deputy chief of staff in 2014. Meuleman previously worked for Montana Senator Conrad Burns for three years and Congressman Denny Rehberg for two years. Meuleman has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montana. She serves on the Workforce Development Council, the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance, the Idaho Invasive Species Council, and leads public policy for the Idaho Economic Development Association.

“I am honored and humbled for this great opportunity to lead the Governor’s economic development agency. I look forward to continuing the great work Director Ronk has done and will continue to focus on growing Idaho’s existing businesses, promoting Idaho products and marketing the state,” Meuleman said. “Idaho is a great place to live and work and I’m excited to continue the great momentum we’re seeing toward making it even better.”

Meuleman and her husband Patrick live in Boise with their two young sons.

And here is Idaho Power’s full announcement:

Idaho Power Hires Megan Ronk for New Business Development Position

The former Idaho Department of Commerce Director will play a key role in helping the company attract, expand and retain key customers as Director of Business Innovation and Development.

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 27, 2017 — Idaho Power has hired Megan Ronk to be its Director of Business Innovation and Development. Ronk, the current Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce, begins work Jan. 2 at Idaho Power’s corporate headquarters in downtown Boise.

“Megan is a great addition to the Idaho Power team,” said Darrel Anderson, President and CEO of IDACORP and Idaho Power. “Megan’s proven leadership skills, business innovation experience and strong relationships in our community make her a perfect fit for this position.”

The Director of Business Innovation and Development is a new role at Idaho Power. In it, Ronk will support the state of Idaho and local communities in attracting, expanding and retaining business customers. She also will help develop, advance and evaluate long-term strategic direction and business opportunities for the company.

“I am thrilled with this exciting opportunity to bring my passion for expanding Idaho’s economy to Idaho Power,” Ronk said. “It is a privilege and honor to join a team that that is focused on being a partner in economic development, and I look forward to leveraging my background to support this mission and the company’s ongoing commitment to its customers.”

Ronk has been with the Idaho Department of Commerce since 2012. She worked as a public information officer and chief operating officer before being promoted to director in January 2016. Ronk previously served as executive director for the Idaho Meth Project. She is a graduate of The College of Idaho and holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.