Gov. Little announces new appointments

Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced new appointments in his administration today.

Alberto Gonzalez will take over as Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Director in July after the retirement of Director Scott Stokes.

"Alberto Gonzalez has been an exceptional public servant whose leadership has modernized state government and improved services for Idahoans. I am confident he will continue that success as he leads ITD," Governor Little said."I also want to thank Scott Stokes for his outstanding leadership and years of dedicated service. His work strengthened Idaho's transportation system and will benefit our growing state for generations. Best wishes to Scott on a well-earned retirement."

Gonzalez brings 30 years of public and private sector leadership experience, including more than two decades serving the State of Idaho. As Chief Information Officer and Administrator of the Idaho Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), he led the consolidation of IT services across state government. He also directed major modernization efforts as Administrator of the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles and held key technology leadership roles with Your Health Idaho and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW).

Before entering state service, Gonzalez spent 14 years in leadership with a national communications company. He studied Organizational Behavior at the University of San Francisco and is a graduate of the National Transportation Leadership Institute at Indiana University.

Jake Reynolds, Administrator at the Idaho Department of Commerce, will serve as Interim Director at ITS.

Governor Little also announced John Bernasconi has returned to the Idaho State Tax Commission (ISTC) as Chairman. Bernasconi previously served as the Tax Commission's Chief Operating Officer and most recently led the Division of Welfare and Self-Reliance at DHW.

Bernasconi held several positions at the Tax Commission between 2003 and 2010 before being tapped by the Alaska Department of Revenue to serve as the Chief of Operations. From there he went on to lead revenue modernization efforts in multiple states. He returned to Idaho in 2016 as Division Administrator of Revenue Operations. He is a graduate of Boise State University.

"John Bernasconi is a proven leader with extensive experience serving Idaho taxpayers and improving government operations. I am pleased to welcome John back to the Idaho State Tax Commission, where he continues to serve Idahoans with integrity and excellence," Governor Little said.

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENT UPDATES

Governor Little also appointed Skip Oppenheimer to the Idaho Board of Correction in May. Oppenheimer is Chairman and CEO of Oppenheimer Companies, Inc. and President of Oppenheimer Development Corporation. A longtime Idaho business and civic leader, he has served in leadership roles with organizations focused on education, healthcare, economic development, and community service, including the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, St. Luke's Health System, and Idaho Business for Education. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Idaho.

Governor Little also reappointed Tim Murphy and Jordan Cheirrett to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Murphy, of Boise, is the commissioner representing the Southwest Region. He is the former Idaho Director for the Bureau of Land Management and former Director of Fire and Aviation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Over the course of his career, Murphy has focused on seeking collaborative solutions to challenges affecting the management of wildlife habitat, livestock grazing, energy transmission, recreation and access to public lands. Cheirrett is the Commission Vice-chairman representing the Southeast Region. He is a is a fourth-generation Idahoan and a small business owner/broker who resides in Soda Springs. Cheirrett is a lifelong hunter and angler.

"Idaho is fortunate to have citizens who are willing to share their time, expertise, and leadership in service to our state. Public service is one of the greatest ways to give back to Idahoans, and I appreciate these individuals for stepping forward to help shape Idaho's future," Governor Little said.