CBNI names executive director

COEUR d'ALENE - It has become almost an annual event, as the Concerned Businesses of North Idaho names a new executive director.

LaDonna Beaumont was named to the post at the beginning of March, but is taking the position to another level as the nonprofit organization's development director.

"The biggest challenge for CBNI over the past couple of years, especially last year, is communicating with the members that they are getting something for their money," Beaumont said.

CBNI is an organization of businesses that watches how tax dollars are spent. Each December the group publishes its annual "report card," with information on how much taxing districts levy and how much each has increased, or in rare cases decreased, the amount of money it budgets from taxes.

It also reviews the performance of lawmakers.

"It is not just elective offices, it is organizations like North Idaho College," Beaumont said. "It is about how public entities are spending our tax dollars.

"As citizens, business owners and taxpayers, we need to be more connected to our government."

Beaumont replaces Bryan Ogle, who took the job in 2009 before moving out of state. Prior executive directors included Katie Brodie, who went to work for Gov. Butch Otter, and Kelly Richards, who left in the fall of 2006 after two years on the job.

"My job as executive director and development director will be as a liaison to members," Beaumont said.

One of the first changes planned is changing to monthly membership meetings instead of closed board meetings. All current, past and potential members will be invited, with the first meeting in May. Each will be held at 7 a.m. at a location to be announced, and be kept short to allow participants to be to work by 8 a.m.

"Over the next 12 months we want to prove we still have something of value to offer," Beaumont said. "We need to reinvent ourselves as an organization."

Beaumont spent 15 years in the financial planning business, but changes in the industry left her with negative feelings about it. She joined husband Nigel as owner of Squeeky Clean Windows, a cleaning company.

There, she will focus on the business end for 20 to 30 hours a week.

"I won't be getting on ladders anymore," she said.

That home occupation "fits like a glove" with the CBNI post, which requires about 20 hours a week of her time.

"I feel good about the timing," she said. "I know we need CBNI in the community."

Patty Shea, who works for Avista Corp. and is the vice president of the group until July, when she will assume the presidency, said the board selected Beaumont after open discussions about a replacement for Ogle.

"We wanted someone who would bring value to our members," Shea said. "She is what everybody was looking for."

Beaumont has a bachelor's degree in foreign languages, but believes her business experience and leadership skills will be a more important factor in filling the position. She has previously been a president of the Sunrise Rotary, and was board president of United Way for two years.

A big part of her job will be to attend meetings of local governments when their agendas include items of interest to the group.

With membership dues ranging from $700 to $5,000, Beaumont will be working on developing a volunteer board to distribute tasks according to individual strengths.

"We need to share the load, otherwise the president does everything," she said.

Her goal is to double the current membership of 34 in her first year on the job.

Information: www.concernedbusinesses.com