Founding CEI trustee steps down after nearly a decade
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IDAHO FALLS – After nearly 10 years as the founding trustee and inaugural chairman of the board of the College of Eastern Idaho, Park Price has officially stepped down.
He tendered his resignation on Aug. 25. The board is now accepting applications to fill the remainder of his term, which ends in November.
In a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, Price explained the reason for his resignation.
“I’ve accomplished all the things I hoped to achieve, and it’s time to bring in new people,” Price says.
At age 84, Price serves as the director of Citizens Community Bank and PERSI, the state retirement fund for public officials. He’ll continue in those roles.
Price was appointed by Gov. Brad Little as chairman of the CEI board in 2017, when the school was transitioning from Eastern Idaho Technical College to CEI.
In the last decade, Price says that the completion of the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech Building, in partnership with Frontier Credit Union, is one of the board’s greatest accomplishments. The board cut the ribbon on the building on Aug. 13 and it opened to students last week.
RELATED | CEI officials open new Future Tech Building, ready for students this fall
Rick Aman, former president of the college, stepped down in conjunction with the building’s groundbreaking. Price decided to follow a similar vein. He says the Future Tech building is something he wanted to see completed, and now that it is, it’s time to hand over the reins.
RELATED | College of Eastern Idaho President Rick Aman to retire in July
Student success is the focus of everything the board does. Price says the board is completely aligned with that vision, and he’s pleased with those efforts.
“The college is in great shape. It’s growing and has a very fine leadership team led by President Lori Barber. I’m very happy with the quality of the other trustees,” says Price.
Managing the school’s transition from a technical college to a community college is another major accomplishment Price considers.
“We have been very successful in continuing to grow the technical side of the college, while also bringing in the academic side,” says Price.
‘A wonderful life’
Price grew up in Pocatello, where his family ran Park Price Motor Company, a car dealership, for many years. After high school, he left eastern Idaho to attend college and eventually got a job with General Motors.
He returned to Pocatello 13 years later to take over the family business. He ran the dealership from 1979 to 2003. After selling the business, he became the director of the Bank of Idaho in Idaho Falls.
Price says he and Gov. Little served on several boards together, and that association led Gov. Little to appoint Price as the founding member of CEI’s board.
Nearly a decade later, Price says, “It’s been the honor of my public life to have been involved in something that is making a difference in the community.”
He says he’s “very lucky to have been involved with some great organizations,” and the diversity of career opportunities is one reason he’s “such an advocate for education.”
“If you enjoy new challenges and learning about things, you’re going to have a wonderful life,” he says. “Education is the secret to success for young people.”
In a Tuesday afternoon news release, CEI President Lori Barber expressed gratitude to Price for his service.
“The foundation he helped establish during those early years continues to guide our work today. Park’s leadership, commitment, and belief in the power of education have shaped College of Eastern Idaho into the institution it is today. He will be missed,” Barber says.
Applications for Price’s replacement are being accepted until Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and résumé to Emma Getliff, liaison to the Board of Trustees. Her email is trustee.liaison@cei.edu. Under Idaho law, candidates must reside in Trustee Zone 3, which is the area in green in the map below.
Additional requirements and responsibilities are listed here.
