Board Members

Professional Background

Spear comes to the Auditorium District after leaving his prior position as the Director of Athletics at the University of Idaho. Spear earned his doctorate degree from the University of Idaho, MBA from the University of Montana and undergraduate degree in business from the College of Great Falls (now the University of Providence).

Spear is a proven administrator whose experience cuts across both the private and public sectors. With over 30 years of experience, Spear has made a difference in every organization he has been associated with. He is a proven fundraiser who was responsible for several multi-million-dollar gifts to the University of Idaho; managed over $50M construction projects ranging from athletic facilities to bio engineering buildings; and he has a history of developing and establishing positive relationships with community, state, federal and corporate organizations. Spear and his wife, Sandy, have always immersed themselves into community activities.

Professional Background

She is a partner with Cooper Norman accounting firm. Her areas of specialty include tax and financial planning for construction and family businesses, auditing and business valuations. Construction accounting and taxation is a niche that Terri has been developing in Cooper Norman for the past 20 years. Terri is a graduate of Idaho State University, and is married to Paul Gazdik. She has two teenage girls that keep her involved in everything from mountain and rock climbing to skiing and camping.

She is a member of AICPA, Idaho State Society, NACVA, AGC – Associated General Contractors and Chairman of Finance Committee, past President of the YMCA, Board Member of the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency and Chair of Cooper Norman Audit and Accounting Practice. Her term will be completed in May 2019.

Professional Background

I have lived in Idaho Falls since 1995 with my wife Susan, our daughter MaryAnn, and our son Joe.  We are Idaho natives, growing up in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.  I graduated from Gonzaga University in 1986 – GO ZAGS!!!  My background is engineering, business and computer science.  I am a certified Project Management Professional.  I have been active in the Idaho Falls community serving on boards and volunteering. I have served for several years on the Board and as President of the Shamrock Park Homeowner Association.  I have also served on the Board of Directors for The Bank of Idaho, the Cowan Homeowner Association in Island Park, Idaho, the Art of Golf Committee for the Art Museum of Idaho, and as an advisor to Champ’s Heart, a non-profit organization benefitting disabled veterans and children with disabilities.  I have had more than 35 years of leadership/management experience in consulting to the government and commercial nuclear industry, government aerospace, and the private business sector in Idaho Falls.  I have held leadership positions in a number of diverse organizations ranging from large Fortune 500 companies to small start-up businesses.  I have experience planning and executing large capital projects ranging from $500 million to $16 billion dollars.  I have extensive experience in the contracting process, both government and commercial sectors.

I believe that this auditorium project is truly an asset for our community, and would like to lend my experience to the project.  I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community by bringing my lessons learned, experience, planning, project management, and problem solving abilities to this project.

Professional Background

Lisa has been a resident of Idaho Falls since 1976 and is a Financial Advisor and Certified Exit Planner with Edward Jones. After attending the University of Idaho and Idaho State University, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with an additional emphasis in Finance. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she spent 18 years in the Idaho Falls business community in public and in-house accounting and as a Chief Financial Officer.

She has served in various positions with the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Finance Council, the IF Youth Arts Centre and First Night Idaho Falls, and as a board member for Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls Country Club, and 7th Judicial District CASA. She looks forward to additional opportunities to serve her community.

Her most gratifying role is that of a mother. She and her husband Thel have eight children – three daughters and five sons, as well as four grandchildren. They enjoy golfing, biking, reading and skiing, but mostly traveling the world.

As a Financial Advisor and a resident of Southeast Idaho, she utilizes her expertise and experience to positively impact her clients and the community.

Professional Background

Ziel is a results-driven communications professional with a passion for enhancing corporate brand identity, strengthening community relations, and driving strategic engagement. Creativity, adaptability, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences are his greatest strengths.

As a Communications Specialist at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), his role is to develop strategic messaging and content to support environmental, safety, health, and quality (ESH&Q) initiatives. This often includes bridging technical expertise with clear, compelling communication to reinforce INL’s mission and safety culture.

Previously, he spent 13 years as the Marketing Director for Mountain View Hospital, overseeing 50+ healthcare brands, including Mountain View Hospital and Idaho Falls Community Hospital.

He is also committed to community service. Aside from serving on the Idaho Falls Auditorium District board, he also serves as a United Way Board member. His past roles include serving on the Idaho Falls Symphony Board and co-founding the Idaho Healthcare Institute and serving as a Board member.

Outside of work, Ziel is a proud husband and father who enjoys family time, audiobooks, podcasts, and hands-on home projects that push him to learn new skills. He has endless curiosity, a love for storytelling, and a knack for turning big ideas into reality—often fueled by coffee and a good sense of humor.

Professional Background

Carpenter has been active in the Idaho Falls community and has been a member of the Idaho Falls Auditorium District Business Advisory Committee.  Carpenter recently retired from the INL where he managed the development of technology applied to Cold War site cleanup, water sampling technology and the National Water Security Test Bed at the INL.

Carpenter and his wife Kim have resided in Idaho Falls for over thirty years.  Mike and Kim have two married daughters who reside in Idaho Falls and Nashville Tennessee and three grandkids.