County picks three for Historic Preservation Commission
Newly appointed Historic Preservation Commissioner Jennifer DeRose has over 15 years of archaeological and cultural resource experience including working for the Coeur d'Alene and her company A CRM Consultant. Press file photo.
Jennifer DeRose, Joseph Piedmont, and Laurie Mauser were appointed Wednesday to Kootenai County's Historic Preservation Commission.
DeRose, a Coeur d'Alene resident for nearly a decade, is the owner and principal investigator for A CRM Consultant, which offers archaeological and cultural resource services across the Inland Northwest.
Before forming the business in 2016, DeRose worked over 15 years for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Lake Management Department as a cultural resource program manager, and associate archaeologist at Archaeological Investigations Northwest, Inc.
"I do have a wealth of knowledge for the landscape and bodies of water in the county, so I feel that could be helpful in that capacity," she said.
In this new position, DeRose hopes to create more interest in historic preservation in Kootenai County.
Piedmont, a Spokane native, moved to the Coeur d'Alene area in 2012 after stints in Seattle and Vancouver, Wash., for school. He and his family live on a farm in Kootenai County. Previously the chief operations officer of Buck Knives for four years, Piedmont recently left the company and was looking to get more involved in county operations.
"I spent so much time here as a kid, and it feels good to be home," he said. "Now, I want to expand my horizons and find a way to give back to the community by participating in civic opportunities that are available to me."
Piedmont comes with a wealth of business experience and also a demonstrated interest in the field, said Commissioner Chris Fillios.
"The combination of his history degree and can-do-attitude will certainly add to the board," Fillios said.
Mauser, a current board member for the historic preservation, was reappointed for a three-year term.
"With Mauser and DeRose's background in anthropology and archaeology, we believe the board will have a good balance," Fillios said. "The advantage of the business background, which incidentally DeRose has as well, is a good way to keep people goal-oriented and on track."
DeRose will serve three years on the commission and Piedmont two.