June 9, 2025 • 52 mins
What does it really mean to lead—at work, in your community, or in your own life—when no one’s handing you a title or giving you authority? True leadership isn’t about rank or recognition; it’s about character, consistency, and the impact you make when no one’s watching.
Colonel Ked Wills, who spent 30 years in law enforcement with his final seven years as Director of the Idaho State Police, knows this firsthand. For him, leadership was never about the badge – it was about who you are when the badge comes off.
Born and raised in Glenns Ferry as the son of a state trooper, Wills absorbed crucial life lessons that would shape his leadership journey. His father demonstrated how to make even difficult jobs seem like play while maintaining multiple responsibilities. His mother showed the value of lifelong learning by earning her master’s degree in her 40s while Wills was still in high school. These influences instilled a work ethic and curiosity that carried him through a distinguished career.
Wills takes us inside Idaho’s unique law enforcement culture, where collaboration and public trust create what he calls “the blurring of the badges.” Unlike neighboring states facing anti-police sentiment, Idaho’s law enforcement agencies enjoy remarkable public support – something Willis attributes to trust built over generations. “The public will only support law enforcement in so much as they trust law enforcement,” he explains, highlighting why maintaining that trust remained his top priority as director.
Perhaps most compelling is Wills’ candid discussion of officer wellness. With police officers experiencing between 400–700 traumatic incidents throughout their careers (compared to 2–5 for average citizens), the toll on mental health can be devastating. Wills reveals this sobering statistic: for every officer killed in the line of duty, approximately three take their own lives due to job-related stress.
His book, Lead Now: No Title Required, captures his leadership philosophy perfectly – true leadership begins long before promotion. “If you start acting like a leader, you don’t need the title,” Willis explains, “because if we’re promoting right, we’re promoting the person who already is a leader.”
Now in retirement, Wills hasn’t slowed down. Working internationally in South America with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, he’s helping transform road safety initiatives in Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina – bringing Idaho’s collaborative approach to countries where law enforcement has traditionally operated in silos.
Ready to unlock your own leadership potential—no title necessary? Listen now and learn how becoming the best version of yourself allows you to help others become their best.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today on the Ever Onward podcast we have a good
friend, ked Willis.
He was the colonel of the IdahoState Police Department.
He spent 30 years in lawenforcement, with the last seven
years before his retirementserving as the director of the
Idaho State Police.
He is most famously from GlensFerry.
We'll talk a little bit aboutthat and hear about his storied
(00:21):
career, about what he's doingnow and about his new book Lead
Now.
No Title Required.
Prior to hearing from Ked Willstoday, we are going to hear
from Kekoa Nawahine and MarkCleverley for an Allquist update
.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Good morning, mark Cleverley, with Allquist.
I'm Chief Leasing Officer herewith Kekoa, yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Kekoa Nawahine, also on the leasing team over at
Allquist.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
So I don't know that we've ever given an update on a
project that is not widely knownand we haven't done a ton of
marketing on it.
We're just kind of trying tofigure it out right now, but I
thought we would give an updateon it.
So it's ground that the city ofBoise owns.
We won, along with Adler, wewon the RFP and so we have the
(01:06):
rights to develop it.
The city will continue to ownit.
So it's really a we can't sellanything.
It's a for lease product that'sout there.
But wanted to give an update.
So it's Rockridge.
It's on Victory, victory, andit's great location, close to
(01:30):
the airport, close to theinterchange on Cole Road and and
then the one over on Curtis,kind of in between there, and
we're planning to do a flexproduct out there and we've
you've just kind of startedgetting after it out there and
there's actually been somepretty good interest, and so we
thought let's just give anupdate.
So if you wouldn't mindspending a few minutes and just
kind of give us an update onRock Ridge and where we're at,
(01:54):
yeah, really exciting location.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
It's just kind of in that great path of growth, easy
access to the freeway, close tothe airport like you're talking
about, which is reallyattractive to a lot of users.
So on that south side of victoryroad, yeah, in between coal and
orchard, really getting startedon kicking off kind of site
planning and getting buildingone going and designed and
planned for a lot of users outthere.
(02:18):
And we found that you know,we've done a flex building also
along victory road, victory andMeridian and we'll start our
second one out there.
But we found that there's a lotof demand in this light
industrial, slash flex for alittle bit of the smaller users,
like anywhere from 3,000 to10,000 square feet.
A lot of demand and not as muchproduct in that area.
(02:43):
And so when we start to bringthat out and we talk with
different users and they'reseeing that we have a flex or
light industrial, especially inthat area on Victory, like you
said, it generates a lot ofinterest.
And so working through thatprocess of okay, we got dock
doors, we got roll-up doors, howdo we make sure that truck
turning radius is all fit, andall the base level questions
(03:04):
that we need to be able toestablish for flex or light
industrial.
Going through that and theproject of rock ridge, it's
gonna be awesome.
We're excited to get rolling onthat and workplace a few of the
users that are.
They have heavy interest outthere yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
So we've been working closely with Brad, our in-house
architect, brad Smith, and thenCorey Hall, who's president of
construction, trying to justnail down the right size, the
right look, the right feel,where it sits on the property,
and I think we have determinedwhere that's at.
(03:38):
So our marketing materials arelike we're just kind of honing
those in and we're going tostart marketing this like crazy.
But you've already met with agroup that's out that that
potentially wants to be outthere.
You know we're working throughthat process with them, but it
looks like it looks really goodand it feels good and it's.
I think it's going to be talkto us quickly, I know.
(03:58):
I mean there's four or fivebuildings that we can fit out
there, a couple hundred thousandsquare feet.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Give us some, some updates on on kind of where
brad's at with the whole siteplan and development of it.
Yeah, so right now we've got umoverall site plan about four
buildings, roughly 30 to 40,000square feet anywhere in that
range total, and the ability todemise it spaces down to 3,000
square feet, and so a lot offlexibility from that end.
And the nice part is, whenyou're talking about, you know
(04:30):
Brad and Corey on our teamhaving everything internally at
AllQuest makes it really easy tobe able to cater to a tenant.
So we've got a group like yousaid that I've met with and say,
hey, here's our needs, here'swhat we need, and we've got
concepts of what we want to dofor a site plan.
Okay, where's building one?
Where can we place you guys?
We're able to quickly enoughbecause everybody's in-house and
(04:52):
because we can all collaboratetogether in real time, we can go
through these changes reallyquickly of like okay, here's how
we can make this work for thisuser in building one and kind of
cater it to their needs anddevelop a plan Sorry, yeah, got
a little frog-gested and developa plan that fits what they need
(05:14):
really quickly, instead of justtaking a few months and say we
can get back to you in a week,two weeks of this is how our
site plan can fit your buildingand make it a lot more
convenient for the users thatwe're working with.
And so having all of thatin-house and the ability to say,
hey, here's our building onewe're kind of designing it
around the first group or acouple of groups that'll come in
and take it, what does thatleave us with?
(05:34):
How do we fit our site plan inthe grand scheme of things to
make sure it's a cohesivebusiness park, cohesive, light,
industrial flex area where it'sall making sense and is really
catering to the users that aregoing to be there?
And so this first building Ithink it'll be close to 30,000
square feet right on the frontof Victory Road and making sure
(05:59):
that the right things are beingdone to cater to the users out
there, yeah, so, just realquickly, we talk a lot about the
power of relationships, um, andthis particular user that's
that's looking out there.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's a relationship that goes back, uh, almost 10
years, right, and a company thatwe were introduced to a long,
long time ago and has donereally well in our market and
we've always just stay engagedwith them, right, I mean, it's
always, you know, checking inwith them, making sure, seeing
(06:32):
how they're doing, and then, atthe right time, when they're
ready to continue to grow, right, they think of us, they think
of oh, I need to talk to theseguys and see what they have
available for me.
So it's going back to that.
It's the power of relationships, it's the power of just staying
on top of our game and whatwe're doing and knowing who the
(06:55):
people are and who the playersare, but just really being
interested and invested in eachone of these groups that we come
in contact with and staying intouch with them.
So it's just a testament tothat and really for all of our
projects right, I mean, that'show we're successful is the
power of relationships in whatwe do.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
A hundred percent, and I was talking to a group
earlier this week and they'relike well, what sets you guys
apart?
And I think a big thing for usis how many people in our
company are local, born andraised in this area.
And so you know, in the lifecycle of development or
commercial real estateespecially, maybe it is
something a relationship thatyou had 10 years ago, a
relationship that you've had fora while, that comes back around
(07:37):
, but it just shows that thecare, the passion that this team
has in developing the rightproducts and making sure that
your reputation, your communityprofile and all these things are
upheld the right way.
So when opportunities do comearound, people want to work with
you.
They have a good relationshipwith you and see what you're
doing in the market is somethingthat they want to be a part of
(07:57):
and know that when they go toyou they can be trusted and
taken care of.
And so I think for us it'simportant to also let groups
know and feel that we're allfrom here, we all want our
families to be raised in acertain community you know, have
opportunities and experiences,because this is where we were
born and raised and where we'reraising our families as well,
(08:18):
and so it's really important tohave those relationships be able
to make sure that they're takencare of and can trust, when
they come to us, they're goingto go through the process in the
right way and be part ofsomething that they can be proud
of.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, okay, great update.
Thank, you Look for moreinformation real quickly on
Rockridge as we continue todevelop that site.
It's going to be awesome.
Yeah, thanks, man, all right.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Cad, it's good to see you.
It's so good to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Thanks for the invite .
Speaker 4 (08:58):
I can't wait to hear how a guy like you is doing a
little retirement.
Yeah, it's good, is it good?
It is good, life is good.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Yeah, I noticed getting ready for this that you
haven't slowed down, soretirement's probably a loose
term here with you.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Yeah, I think retirement is Latin for find a
new job for me, right, but it'sbeen awesome.
It's a great time of life yeah,oh, good for you.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
I can't wait to hear.
I was down in Glenn's Ferryyesterday oh no, Really.
I was down in Glens Ferryyesterday oh no, Really.
Yeah, we should have done itfrom there.
Yeah, I know we should have.
So let's start there.
I mean Glens Ferry.
There's a lot of great peoplefrom Glens Ferry.
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Amazing people.
Yes, incredible people, and I'mso glad that you spend time
down there because, yeah, and Ithink every small town has that
this just happens to be mine.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yeah, because, yeah, small, and I think every small
town has that.
This just happens to be mine.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Yeah.
So what was it like growing upthere.
You know when.
It's interesting.
The reason I was there my folksaren't from there, I'm a
second-generation state trooperand the state police sent my dad
there and they're from theTreasure Valley.
And when they sent my folksthere my mother just cried and
cried and the state said ifyou'll just stay for one year,
we'll get you out of there in ayear.
And my mother was pregnant withme when I went.
In fact I am proof positivethat in 1972, the state police
(10:09):
academy had weekends off so Iwas bored after the academy.
My mother says that's crude,that I'm only proof positive
that they finally got a job withbenefits, but anyway.
So after a year they said we'reready to move you out of there.
And they said no, we don't wantto go anywhere.
My dad spent his whole 30 yearcareer there.
He's been retired for 20 some.
Now my mother was the mayor.
They've got their cemeteryplots.
(10:30):
I don't think they're goinganywhere.
So it was great, it was justfantastic.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So tell me a little bit about your dad.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Yeah, so he spent 30 years in the state police and
then retired and spent 14 in thelegislature and that's right.
After he retired he was in thelegislature for 14 years, mostly
in judiciary and rules.
He was a chairman of that onthe house side for a lot of
years and and then they bought atheater, an old theater there
in glens ferry, and ran that for25 years and did plays, dinner,
theater and stuff like that.
Our kids all grew up acting inthe theater and we all helped
(11:11):
cook and do the things that thein the kitchens and yeah, so it
was great, it was, it was, itwas.
What incredible what's your momlike um.
So she was a kindergartenteacher and then went back, got
a master's degree when, when shewas in her 40s, I was a height
in high school.
So she's a great example beinga lifelong learner.
Every time I talk to her I justhad lunch with him on monday
every time I talk to her, shetells me something she just
(11:33):
learned about a flower orsomething, something she's
reading.
She's 80.
Their health's still good.
Yeah, they're doing good.
Yeah, they're doing great.
I could not be more blessed tohave just amazing parents.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
What was it like growing up with your dad being
in the state police?
You obviously followed in hisfootsteps, but ever worried
about him.
Was it cool?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
He always made any job he did, he always made it
look like it wasn't a job, likeit was play.
Any job he did, even drive inheavy construction, heavy
equipment as a, you know hewould draw as a road grader
operator and on his off time,you know he always had a second
job and or piling beats.
He sat.
He sat at the beat piler atGlenn's Ferry every season for
years no-transcript example.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Yeah, isn't that incredible.
Like what you said, like in avery quick two sentences, was
like multiple jobs, state police, but always had another job.
Always made every job look funyeah, and he still does.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
he's just amazing like that.
So when I joined the statepolice, I thought, well, where's
the job that he had, cause thatlooks so fun?
And yet some of this is work.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Some of it is fun, but some of it is work, yeah,
but what I think I think intoday's world, how many times,
how many times would someone saythat about their?
You know well they're, theylove it, they're having fun or
they're making any job fun.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I'm sure doing the beat job and grading roads was
not always fun, but this guymade it fun, but he made it fun
and he took his kids with him.
I remember sitting next to himon a road grader and standing at
the beat piler and the otherthing that he taught and I'm not
sure he realized he wasteaching this then was the work
ethic, the importance of hardwork.
Which was probably one of thegreatest things I learned from
(13:23):
my parents was the importance ofhard work and a small town.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Well, and then I'm not letting you get off this
easy.
I'm learning all this for thefirst time, so I love all that.
And then they're running atheater for 25 years.
Yeah, that's not easy.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
No, no, and they bought that and, uh, and and it
really helped a lot of localkids and our kids all acted in
it and and it and it.
They grew that and it wasreally fun for our kids and it
was fun to watch our kidsblossom and they always did like
melodramas and so our, ourgirls would start as a little
tiny role and then eventuallyall of our daughters were the
heroine and you know, eventually.
But the family togetherness, itwas always doing it with the
(14:02):
family and doing it together wasfun and just fun to watch.
So my parents met in drama inhigh school.
That's how they met, so thatwas kind of their thing and so
they did that for 25 seasons atGlenn's Ferry and they sold the
theater.
It's still running.
They don't have it now, butit's still running.
Wow, it's still running.
They don't have it now, butit's still running, wow, yeah,
so it's fun.
Wow, a great place to live.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Great place to be raised.
It took me a while to getinvited there.
I told you the story Becausethat's where Corey does his
branding every year and I'd begto go.
He's like, oh, you're not readyfor Dan Hall.
I'm like what, you're not readyfor Dan Hall.
And so, like, after a coupleyears of asking him, he's like,
all right, you can come, but Idon't know, we'll see how this
(14:43):
thing goes.
And then we get about halfwayin the brand and I'm like I got
what he was.
I understood what he was sayingDan's awesome.
Oh, they're wonderful people.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Corey's.
Another one that came from goodstock, dan and Karen are
amazing people, they're the verybest.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They're like the absolutely very best people.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Yeah, wonderful people If I could tell a funny
story about Dan.
He, he, dan was.
They are, you know.
You know they're Karen's theonly one that cut my hair till I
went to college.
But anyway, and I've knownCorey all his life, but Dan, the
game and I think it was, Ithink it was against Oregon or
Oregon State and right beforehalftime Boise State wasn't
looking too good.
It was here, corey was playingand Corey got a pick six right
(15:22):
before halftime and totallychanged the tide of the game and
we went out at I think I wasworking the game with the state
police.
My brother and I went out athalftime to their tailgate or
whatever Dan was.
We're like oh my gosh, coreygot a pick six.
It gosh, corey got a pick six.
It was such a great, great playand he's playing really, really
(15:42):
well.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
And Dan just in Dan's way he needs to hit harder, and
he's serious, oh, totallyserious, totally serious.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
The dude is like hard as nails serious, oh yeah, oh
yeah, completely intense, ohyeah, just an awesome man,
though.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Just great but intense.
And you know Like it is atestament to the fact that God
lets like miracles happen, thatCorey is able to grow up and
like survive that guy, and likehe's tough.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Oh, he is tough, tough, tough.
Yeah, but he'd do anything foryou, but he'd do anything for
you, I'll tell you quick.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Here's another quick Dan Hall story.
So Corey was in.
Corey and Dakota are going torope team rope in the last year
in the rodeo, glenn's Ferry.
So I mean we're all excited,everyone from work wants to see
this right and so we go downthere and I love being around,
dan and Karen Just love it.
(16:31):
So we're sitting there in therodeo and because hometown kind
of hero coming home roping theteam roping was at the end and
then he was the very last one,so with Old Road we're sitting
there for a long time.
Well, during the bronc ridingI'm sitting by Dan and he's like
, yeah, watch this kid, he'sfrom here and he tells me a
little bit about the kid justhad a baby.
So I get the inside scoop ofthis kid that's going to be on
(16:54):
the bronco coming out right, newbaby and the whole thing.
Karen's like, oh, yeah, we knowhim, no-transcript, okay, cold.
And so we're sitting, you knowwe're sitting like probably 50
yards away from where this kid'sknocked out cold, and I'm like,
okay, you know, you see himgetting hurt before.
(17:17):
But so first thing, I'm readyto go and and and and and I'm
worried and he's like, ah, he'llbe okay, oh, there'll be
someone to get.
So I didn't run down there.
And then it was.
It was a little bit of delayedresponse to Anglin's Ferret Sure
.
So when you get bucked off ahorse and get knocked out, you
probably want to be.
You know they weren't runningout real quick, yeah, but I'm
getting ready to go and I'm likeDad, I'm going to go down there
.
He's like, ah, he'll be allright.
(17:37):
He's like he's kind of likeflopping like some of those damn
soccer players and flopping he,I'm sure, oh my gosh, I'm sure
Corey, I'm sure Corey, that'swhy he's so tough yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's just the way he was raisedJust amazing people, great
family.
His sisters are just like him.
Just amazing people, you know,you know the family.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
They're fantastic.
So tell us a little bit aboutyour choice to go in, and then
your time at State Police, andthen your last seven years.
You led the whole thing.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
Yeah, so I joined the State Police.
I met my wife in college overin Eastern Idaho, rick's college
well, it was in Rick's collegeand then served an LDS mission
and came home and she finishedup at Rick's in Argentina.
Where'd you go on your mission?
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Oh, that's a great mission.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
Yeah, and our in ecuador right now.
I was just there last week, um,not with our son, but working.
We can talk about that too, but, um, anyway, so my, my wife
finished up rick's while I wasgone and then finished up utah
state and we got married and Ijoined nampa police.
First they were hiringspanish-speaking officers, so I
went to work for nampa police,um, spent a lot of time there or
my time there I spent a lot ofit with Spanish-speaking folks
because that was kind of what Ihad.
(18:52):
My English isn't great, but mySpanish isn't too bad, so I'd
always wanted to work for thestate police.
It was always my goal since Iwas about three and I joined the
state police and was assignedto Burley-Rupert area.
I loved it.
We were there for seven yearsand then you know how the state
works If you want to move up,you have to move around, and so,
as the education increased andthe bachelor and master's degree
came, after I joined the statepolice, went back to school at
(19:19):
Idaho State and got both thosedegrees and moved around quite a
bit around the state and a lotof people saw stuff in me that
maybe I didn't even see myselfat the time.
So I had great opportunities.
I worked with GovernorKempthorne on his executive
protection detail and got toknow him really well and see how
the state government works atthat level.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Did you enjoy that?
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I did.
I loved working with him.
The travel schedule was alittle tough.
We had a young family at thetime.
The travel schedule was toughon the family, but working with
him was amazing and to be arounda leader of that level was just
great.
Just great to learn that, justgreat to learn that.
And then came back and had acouple years in forensics, which
was really good for me to learnhow forensics works and really
(19:55):
paid dividends later in mycareer when I was running the
organization to see forensicstuff.
And then Ralph Powell was thecolonel who asked me to be his
lieutenant colonel deputydirector, and then, when he
retired, governor Otterappointed me to be the colonel
of the state police, director ofthe state police, and then
Governor Little asked me to bethe Colonel of the state police
director of the state police andthen governor little asked me
to stay when governor little waselected.
So, um, uh, yeah, it's been ajust a, and I served for seven
years there and felt like it wastime to go.
(20:16):
And, um, I had, uh, had mypoints in where I could retire
in the state system and feltlike it was time for some
different challenges.
And, and so it's, I left, Iretired in.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
August.
Talk a little bit about one ofthe well.
I've known you for a long timebut one of the things that you
have to appreciate in Idaho islaw enforcement here.
Do you feel the respect andlove and appreciation here?
Is that something that's alwaysbeen part of being law
enforcement in Idaho statepolice level, and how does that
(20:46):
differ from your colleagues inother states?
It's a pretty special placewhen it comes to that isn't it.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It really is and that's one of the reasons that
drew me to Idaho.
I didn't have any interest ingoing to the federal level or
anywhere other state because Iwanted to raise my family here.
The same thing that driveseverybody here.
I wanted to raise my family inIdaho and, you're right,
especially in the last five orsix years it's been more
pronounced in law enforcement,the anti-law enforcement
sentiment and all those things.
(21:13):
My counterparts that are on thewest side of us Chief Batiste
that runs the Washington StatePatrol and Superintendent
Cotting that runs Oregon StatePolice both of them have had
some really unique challengesthat we haven't had in Idaho
because we're supported here.
But there's a balance.
The public will only supportlaw enforcement in so much as
(21:34):
they trust law enforcement andso that balance and quite
frankly, they trust the IdahoState Police.
The majority of Idahoans trustthe Idaho State Police because
the people that went before usand I felt that heavy on that
mantle that I got in running theorganization it wasn't me, that
why they trusted us then, itwas the people that went before
me and I wanted to make sure Ikept that and didn't do anything
that would erode the publictrust, because that is a very
delicate balance, but I couldn'ttell you how many times in in
(21:55):
Idaho, especially in small towns, but even in Boise, where the
lunch, when you're in uniform,somebody would come over and say
your lunch has been paid for,but they don't want you to know
who.
Yeah, you know, and justincredible, incredible
experiences throughout Idaho.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I think tremendous respect and it's got to be
strange.
Well, it's got to be strangebecause we do have friends and
colleagues that are outside ofthe state and hearing their
stories is just such a differentdeal.
It would be hard, it is.
It would be hard to serve andput your life on the line, which
I want to ask you a couplequestions about that and know
that there's not that supportthere, and know that there's not
(22:31):
that support there.
I also, like when I expressappreciation to guys like you, I
did 10 years of night shifts inthe ER, so I was around law
enforcement almost every night Imean almost every night and
multiple sets of state or Boisepolice, meridian police, because
I worked at both locations andin all my years doing it, the
(22:53):
entire time doing it, I neversaw anything that wasn't 100%
professional, caring, part ofthe you know what I mean the
collaboration and just it wasjust always the best, frankly,
the best in in some of thehardest situations.
I mean cause you had reallydifficult situations sometimes
with people and situations ofpeople that were arrested and
(23:16):
not the nicest people in theworld and what they were doing
and interacting with staff andwith everything else and the
professionalism was always like,not once, so it's pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
I appreciate you sharing that, because we don't
always get that feedback rightFrom an ER physician.
We don't always get thatfeedback.
But you're right, you aredealing on a regular basis in
some tough, tough situations andthat's interesting.
I'm so thankful that's yourperspective and I hope for
Idahoans, if they have somethingthey feel it is less than what
they want, that they bring thatto somebody's attention, Because
(23:49):
of course they're humans andand what they want.
That they bring that tosomebody's attention Because of
course they're humans and ofcourse they make mistakes.
But gosh, give us a chance tofix it if there's a mistake.
But yeah, we really.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I'm thankful that was your experience because
throughout my career, regardlessof what uniform they wore,
they're always willing to help.
Again, I'm going to ask you abunch of stuff, but speak to the
collaboration in our state,because the other thing that was
always, um, always felt justright was the interaction
(24:16):
between state.
Local police seemed to be atleast from a user's perspective
in the ER kind of thing justtons of collaboration and good,
good interactions.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Yeah so I'm thankful to talk, to be able to talk
about that.
We early on in my career that II felt like that wasn't always
a case in Idaho.
There were some rubs with cityand county and state and I
remember doored up with myfriends about that.
Early on in my career I feltlike that wasn't always the case
in Idaho.
There were some rubs with cityand county and state and I
remember doored up with myfriends who were city officers
or county deputies and sayingwhy can't our bosses get along?
Boy, if we're ever the bosses,we're not going to screw this up
.
And I'm thankful now that wehave people that are leading law
(24:45):
enforcement organizations inIdaho that are so collaborative
because we're so rural.
The Idaho State Police is a goodsize organization but we're
spread so thin across the statewe can't do everything.
We can't do it all, of course,and so we have to lean on each
other.
We call it the blurring of thebadges, because I'm convinced of
this If I really need help, ifI'm on the side of the road or
I'm in an incident where Ireally need help, I don't much
(25:06):
care what the badge says, I justwant help.
And if we get wrapped up inwhat the badge says, then bad on
us because the public doesn'tcare.
They just want help and it's onus to provide that service and
work together to do it.
And so I'm really proud we'refrom a state where we do that.
I would regularly attendmeetings with colonels from
other states.
They meet and I would hearhorror stories from other states
(25:27):
and I'd just come back to Idahoand go oh Mike, I'm so thankful
we're in Idaho, we have publicsupport, we work well together.
It's just different here.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay now, moving to kind of my next thought.
You think about what makes ourstate so great.
I mean, and it's great, it ispublic safety and it is the
trust that the public has in lawenforcement.
It is thankful that the publichas in law enforcement.
It is thankful We've got alegislature that values public
safety.
I think we've got localjurisdictions and state and
(25:58):
counties that value funding ourlaw enforcement.
But then the other side of thatis you're the guys that are in
danger, right, because we aresurrounded by other states that
don't have those same sentiments.
We're right next to Oregon thatare in danger, right, because
we are surrounded by otherstates that don't have those
same sentiments.
We're right next to Oregon forcrying out loud, right.
I mean, we're just Oregon'sright there, washington's right
(26:18):
there.
I think the other way isprobably a little bit more like
us with Wyoming and Montana andUtah, nevada.
I'm not so sure.
I don't have that muchexperience there, but what's it
like knowing that I don't know,like every car you walk up to or
every door you walk up to, thatyou just don't know what's
(26:40):
going to happen.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Yeah, that's exactly right, and so I think that it
comes down to getting peoplethat make really good decisions,
training them well and givingthem the very best equipment
that you can.
That's how we keep our officerssafe, and I think we do a really
good job of that in Idaho.
Of course, it doesn't mean thatthey're not in danger Anytime.
You have a job where you needto know your blood type or
(27:02):
you're putting on body armor, ofcourse your life is in danger
and sadly, that came home to uswith with an 80 County deputy
here just recently, but, um,which is a terrible tragedy, Um,
and, and those things happen inour profession, sadly.
But, uh, one of the things Ithink that we can do above all
else is to make sure that ourofficers are well, because, uh,
(27:22):
the statistics are a little bitdifferent depending on where
you're at, but nationwide it'sestimated, for every one officer
that's killed in the line ofduty, there are three that take
their own life, and it's becauseof the stresses of the job.
I just read a stat last week Iwas in Ecuador and the retired
chief of Boise PD went with meto teach a wellness class to the
officers in Ecuador.
I was just with Ron Weiningerin Ecuador this last week and I
(27:43):
was listening to him speak andteach Ron's awesome, he's
awesome, he's awesome.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
He's great.
You two are like legends man.
Honestly.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
It was fun.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
It was fun to travel with him At least for me, the
Mount Rushmore of lawenforcement.
You're two of those guys.
That's fun, so you wenttogether.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Yeah, we did With a major from the Utah Highway
Patrol and we went down andtaught.
It's part of what I'm doing nowfor the International
Association of Chiefs of Police,I'm stuff like this and so I
had asked Ron cause he teacheswellness.
He I don't know if you'refamiliar with his history, but
he was involved in a shootingthat killed Mark Stalin, nearly
killed him and should have.
In fact, the physician thattold him how close he came to
hitting his femoral artery saidyou came this close, Maybe you
(28:19):
were the physician, I'm notasking you to divulge anything.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
I wasn't, but I know what happened and it was crazy.
He's lucky to be alive.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
I'm just sharing what Ron was opening the class to
share.
But he is very but he's inRon's way.
You know, ron, he just the wayhe teaches is so great.
But he was sharing some ofthese stats.
One of the stats that he sharedis the average American has
between, I think, two and fivetraumatic experiences in their
life and the average policeofficer has between four and 700
throughout their career.
So if we don't teach them howto deal with the trauma that
(28:48):
they see and how to process youknow, you saw trauma.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You were in a profession that saw probably
more than police officers too,as far as the trauma on a human
yeah, the one thing that I thedifference and I've talked a lot
over the years to people aboutthis like it comes pre-packaged
to us, sure, and that's fair.
Yeah, you know what I mean, yeah, and the few times I've had a
few experiences in my life whereI have gone on rides as part of
(29:13):
our training, mostly witheither EMS, fire and law
enforcement, it's just different, oh my gosh, it's different.
So I'm always a little bithumble when they like.
It's not the same, because whenyou guys come in and they come
in, those first responders, man,it is pre-packaged.
(29:33):
They've experienced that socialinteraction that happens on a
tent scene.
It's happened, they've figuredit out, they've stabilized and
then they come down.
So sure, we're part of it.
But, man, I'll tell you I got afirst row seat to just how
special and, I think,underappreciated like, as much
as I think we get it, I don'tthink we get it that we live in
(29:56):
a society where, no matter whathappens today right here in my
hallway, I'm like a one callaway from having people rush
here and and take care ofwhatever it is.
Yeah, running into, runninginto where there's danger
Running into the danger.
I mean it's just.
And then they run in, put theirlives at risk very frequently
their expertise to either savesomeone from danger or take a
(30:22):
really acute situation that isnot easy put their life in
danger and then somehow we justkind of think that's normal.
It's not normal.
Yeah, that's right.
If you think about, if you wentback.
You know I look at when I, whenI'm throwing in emergency
medicine.
You know someone, I chose it inthe nineties, but you go back
to the early eighties and theseventies.
(30:43):
This doesn't exist Like thisidea that we had EMS and people
running.
You know law enforcementexisted to someday, but a
coordinated effort to protectand serve public where it is so
united on these calls, we'rejust so lucky, yeah.
Speaker 4 (30:58):
Yeah, you're absolutely right, and it comes
at a cost, and some of the costis to equip them with the very
best equipment you can.
I feel like we owe it to thosepeople rushing in here to give
them the very best equipment wecan, because otherwise it comes
down to training and it comesdown to equipment and it comes
down to getting the right people, and I think we owe it to those
people, and that's thattwo-prong right.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
When they get there, do they have everything they
need?
And then, secondly, how do youdeal with, over and over and
again, being exposed to thosesituations and the trauma that
comes from it it does?
How do you process it?
Speaker 4 (31:27):
And I think we're getting better at figuring out
how to keep them well, becausewe don't just need them well.
I think of a college athlete.
They want them all involved allin every day for four or five
years.
We need them all involved allin every day for 30.
And then we want them to live ahealthy retirement after?
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Yeah, and you add on top of that.
So the other thing that, beinga guy that did shift work for a
long time, I used to always sayyou know, sleep's overrated,
until I had my first heartattack a few years ago.
Right, but it's shift work too.
Yeah, it is.
On top of the stress thing,it's the circadian rhythm.
It changes the way you do yourfamilies, because think about,
(32:06):
in fact, we're helping with thelaw enforcement child care
facility right now that will beout at Meridian.
But there's just so many thingsthat aren't normal about the
work you were in for 30 years.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
Yeah, and that child care facility what you have done
on that is going to changeofficers' lives.
Yeah, it's going to be really,really amazing.
And I'm so thankful we haveguys like you that recognize
that, hey, we've done a littlebit of part, but what a great.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
I mean, and I'll tell you what, from coming in and
the idea, and I think it's atestament.
You talk to the people thatcame in from.
They're out of San Diego butthey're like it's an incredible.
This valley is incredible andI'm like, yeah, tell me
something.
I don't know but how all theorganizations collaborated and
how the it came together.
The idea we'll talk a littlebit about is just to have a
childcare facility that isspecific for children.
(32:53):
Of law enforcement, because ofthe shift work, because of some
of the other security things,because of all those things, and
, man, I'm really proud of thatwork.
It's going to be an amazingfacility.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
I think that's going to change the face of law
enforcement in the TreasureValley.
I truly I'm not.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
I don't think I'm overstating that Well you start
thinking about recruitmentretention and how you help take
care of families and support theservice.
I love it.
Yeah, it's awesome.
Be a great model for the restof the country.
I agree and I'm glad that it'shappening here soon.
Okay, next thing, because, man,this is going to go by fast.
What are some of the like30-year career?
(33:28):
What are like if you had tojust talk for a minute about
some of your takeaways?
Lessons learned, either aboutpeople or about Idaho, about
leadership.
I mean storied career, man.
I mean you're a humble guy buta great career.
You ended it at seven years atthe top.
(33:49):
What are some of your biggesttakeaways?
Speaker 4 (33:52):
So thank you.
I appreciate that the best partof my job was to meet
incredible people.
Throughout my entire careerI've met incredible people.
I just this morning.
I was talking to one thismorning as I was getting ready
for work.
That's a guy that I worked within.
He lives in Idaho and he calledme and he he's gonna be in town
this weekend for State Trackand you know that I met him 30
(34:14):
years ago when I was a youngtrooper and those kinds of
relationships and theopportunity to build those
relationships throughout my lifehas been the most rewarding
part.
Idaho is unique, but it's uniquebecause of the people that
choose to call this home.
And I mean the first time I metyou I was just like, oh my gosh
, this guy, for as much as youhad done and as much as you have
given to our state, you're justsuch a just a down-to-earth guy
(34:36):
.
I don't know what I expectedwhen I met Tommy Alquist, but I
didn't expect a down-to-earthguy that you can just talk about
was another one Just down, markNoble's son, just down to earth
people Our elected officialsare just.
They're just Idahoans trying todo what's best for Idaho.
And that's been the mostrewarding for me is to meet
(34:56):
amazing people that you thinkwouldn't be just down to earth,
people that are just good folks,and to be able to serve them.
I think has been the, for me,has been the most rewarding.
I just last weekend I was up atup in Northern Idaho and saw
Sean Keogh I don't know if youknow Sean, I hadn't seen her in
several years and to see heragain, people like that, it's
just that's been the mostrewarding for me.
(35:16):
And the other piece is to helpemployees develop, because my
mission, my life's mission andit's been this way for many
years is to become the bestversion of myself, so I can help
other people be the bestversion of themselves.
That's really what drives me,and so, whether it was to talk
somebody into getting furthereducation or to help them
prepare for a promotion, or tohelp them, if they wanted to
(35:37):
stay where they are, be the verybest patrolman they could be,
to help them progress as humanbeings, not just as employees,
if we help employees develop ashuman beings, they'll develop as
employees, but the reverseisn't true if we only develop as
employees.
So I really enjoy watchingpeople develop as become better
human beings, whatever thatlooks like for them and it's
different for everybody.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
That's awesome, that was incredible.
That's going to be a clip onthe wheel release.
Right there, that's perfect.
Talk about your book.
Yeah, there, that's perfectTalk about your book.
So your book Lead Now, no TitleRequired.
Unleash the Power Within to Getwhen you Want to Be so that's
the very essence of the book.
Speaker 4 (36:20):
I thought I don't know why I thought this way, and
maybe it's because I'm slowerthan most.
I thought that when you becamea leader is when you start
acting like a leader.
I didn't understand until I wasa few years older and more
mature.
When you start acting like aleader, I didn't understand
until I was a few years olderand a little more mature.
If you start acting like aleader, you don't need the title
, because if we're promotingright with you, you run a large
(36:40):
organization.
If you're promoting right inyour organization, you're
promoting the guy that alreadyis a leader.
Yeah, right, yeah.
And so I think that that's thesecret to that.
You don't need a title to be aleader.
In fact, you can't be a leaderunless you can lead yourself.
To begin with, I think of guysand gals that have accomplished
anything in their life.
They had self-discipline to dothat, not when the lights were
(37:01):
on.
It's at five o'clock in themorning, when nobody knows
they're getting up to study inmedical school or whatever the
issue is.
I've got a son-in-law in lawschool right now.
He just finished his first yearof law school here at
University of Idaho and Iwatched him Every single family
function we had.
He would come and eat and thenhe'd excuse himself to another
room to study.
That's how the first year oflaw school is, and whatever
(37:21):
accolade he gets throughout hiscareer, nobody's going to see
that at the Christmas party hespent the four hours studying,
isn't that true?
Speaker 1 (37:32):
It really is.
And as you mentor and I knowhow many people you've mentored
because that's part of yourthing trying to understand the
work part of it the realpersonal routines that create
momentum for success.
They're thoughtful, for sure,100% they're authentic they're
driven and they can be.
I think one of the problems Ithink people have is they think
(37:55):
well, I wasn't born that way.
Yeah, talk a little bit aboutthat.
Yeah, because I think over yourcareer you've probably had lots
of examples of people thatprobably didn't know they had
that there and in them and youprobably mentored them to create
their better version ofthemselves, yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
So I think that starts with having people doing
that for you.
I mean, I don't know if youknow who Bill Brock is.
He's a super winning highschool basketball football coach
.
He coached at Middleton now,but he coached at Glens Ferry.
I've heard his name.
He's incredible.
He just I think he had his300th victory here not long ago.
I mean, he's an incrediblecoach.
(38:34):
But he was my high schoolfootball coach, head football
coach in Glens Ferry, and Iremember him saying the
principal here is win.
What's important now and Iremember him beating that in our
heads and his voice rang in mymind at 4.30 in the morning when
my alarm went off and I was ingraduate school and raising a
family and working full-time asa district commander Okay,
what's important now?
Coach Brock wins.
So I think it's other peoplehelping you instill those too.
But you're absolutely right.
It's not doing what's wheneverybody's looking and clapping
(38:56):
and cheering, that's easy.
It's when nobody's looking, whoare you really?
Not what people think you are.
You know, I've spent my wholelife just trying to be the man.
My mom thinks I am Right, youknow.
But it's about the.
I think it's about what you'redoing in the dark when nobody
sees.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
Yeah, any, any.
Uh, give us some.
Give us some of your, your biohacks on leadership, your life
hacks.
What are?
What are some things that areimportant to you, routine wise,
that keep you where you need tobe, so you're at your best self
to help others.
Speaker 4 (39:27):
Yeah, um, that's, that's awesome.
I appreciate the platform toshare a few things.
One is to there's an amazingbook you probably read it,
called the 5 AM Club.
Oh yeah, and it's about gettingup at 5 AM and I don't know of
anybody who's successful, whosleeps in.
I just maybe there are some.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
But I don't know anybody.
Speaker 4 (39:44):
There's another one called the.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Perfect Day, but the principle of starting it right.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
Yes, own the day, own day on your life.
But, yeah, it's about startingright and starting.
You know, being principledabout starting your day right
and planning your day and notletting your day run you no, um,
I think that has been reallygood.
And for me, another part isbeing a lifelong learner.
I mentioned my mother taught methat, um, and a certain reading
isn't the only way you canlearn, but it is is a great way
to learn, and so I keep track.
I set a goal every year of howmany books I want to read.
(40:13):
I love that.
I keep track of the books in myplanner that I've read that
year and always want to bereading.
I'm always reading a book, andwhen I was with the state police
, we did a reading challenge,journal Club and I challenged
everybody to be readingsomething, and I said I want you
to ask me what I'm reading, butbe prepared, I'm going to ask
you too.
And I got some great ideas ofbooks and I don't really care
what you're reading.
(40:33):
And so then, of course, it cameback.
Well, does it matter what we'rereading?
I said, no, it doesn't matter.
What matters is you're reading.
I mean, if you're reading DrSeuss and you're a biologist.
Maybe our hiring practices needto be revamped, but reading is
an amazing way to keep your mindopen, and so I'm always trying
to read.
I'm reading right now a bookcalled the River of Doubt.
(40:53):
It's about Teddy Roosevelt'sjourney through the Amazon
rainforest, I've heard.
Is it good?
It is really, really good.
Yeah, and I'm part of a bookclub and we're always reading in
the book club.
Anyway, that's not the only way, but it is a great way to be a
lifelong learner.
So I think reading is important.
I think being disciplined everyday is important.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
All the stuff that I'm sure has made Tommy Alquist,
Tommy Alquist is what I'm notgoing to share, anything you're
not already doing, I'm sure.
Yeah, no, and I will tell you,like that morning thing.
What's beautiful about that isGod gave us circadian rhythms
for a reason, right, for areason.
Sun comes up every day, goesdown, and it's this daily reset
that happens every 24 hours,where you sleep and your brain
clears all thoseneurotransmitters that need to
(41:40):
be cleared out overnight.
You have a chance to wake upand look in the sunlight in the
day and center yourself,whatever that means for
different people, get rightspiritually, get right mentally
and motivationally, hopefully,do something that's a little
physical, something thatinspires you reading, whatever
that is, and kind of setyourself for the day.
The beautiful thing about thatis, if it doesn't go well which
(42:02):
a lot of days it doesn't go wellyou get that chance the next
morning.
Yeah, that's exactly right.
Every day, I mean, and with afew of the people that I, I
mentor, I'm like that's one ofthe first questions I ask is
how's that going?
And you'll find that if theycan build that momentum and
start stringing a few of thosedays together and then more and
more like, oh, I was good threeor four or five times this week.
(42:23):
It just sets your day in areally good spot.
It does.
You're balanced.
I call it living arrows out,right.
You're starting the daythinking, okay, who am I going
to go help, how am I going toaffect, how am I going to show
up at work in my best version?
And then you've got to have alittle grace for yourself,
because it doesn't always gogreat and you have days when
you're just done.
Yeah, that's right, I actuallyhad one of those last night.
Oh, really, I just got homelate.
(42:50):
Man, I am tired, I am beat, andthat's okay too, right?
Sure, of course, when you kindof just leave it all and just
like you know.
Speaker 4 (42:58):
Yeah, the physical fitness piece right in the first
of the day.
I found that when I tell myself, the story that I tell myself
is I'll get to it later in theday.
It never happens, but if I doit as soon as I wake up and I
get that.
So for me it's getting thespiritual piece in right away.
That's the first thing I do,and then the workout piece, and
then comes the rest of theplanning, the day and all the
motivation, all that other stuff.
But for me I strugglepersonally and I'll just bear a
(43:20):
little bit here.
I'm really good when I'm home,but right now, because of the
work I'm doing, I'm travelingall the time.
That's a complete complexityand it's really the complexity
is really hard right, and so Ihad to figure that out.
And so what I had to do and I'mmuch better just in the last
month, because I was very fewweeks in my home all week I'm
usually on a plane somewhere,and so I had to figure that
(43:43):
piece out.
And so once I got it dialed inand figured out, now it's a
complete game changer, becauseat home it's easy my treadmill
is where it is, my weights arewhere they are, I'm in my own
bed.
I sleep well.
All those things On the road,it's just so.
One of the things.
That sounds just ridiculouslysimple, but I made sure I went
and found the gym as soon as Ichecked into the hotel.
I'm not using it that night,but if I didn't just simple
(44:09):
things.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Gosh, I'm jumping all over, but I want to make sure I
get there.
So August was when you retired.
Yes, you're busy now.
Talk a little bit about thework you're doing
internationally and travel, andhow it's been.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
It's been just amazing.
It's been incredible.
I was so thankful to have theopportunity to have worked for
two great governors.
I worked for Governor KimThorne as well, and Governor
Risch.
I was on Governor Risch'sdetail as well.
Amazing guys, Very differentleadership styles, but both of
them great guys.
But to work for Governor Otterand Governor Little was just a
(44:45):
great experience.
But when I retired and it wastime to switch gears, I didn't
really know what retirementwould look like.
I didn't know, and so I got acouple phone calls from a couple
organizations and one of them.
So I'm doing some consultingwork for a couple American
companies.
So that's a lot of domestictravel.
(45:17):
No-transcript could help withthis road safety project.
So this is about reducingfatality and injury crashes in
developing countries and inSouth America.
They needed somebody that knewthe language and could speak,
knew the language but also theculture and could meet with high
level leaders, secretaries oftransportation, mayors you know
(45:38):
those kinds of people in thesecountries and so they'd asked me
if I'd be interested and Ijumped right at it.
Our son is in Ecuador right now.
He comes home in July and so itwas an opportunity to go where
he is not that I rub shouldersall the time with him or
anything, but you know I takethings he has to have, like his
mom's homemade jam and stufflike that.
You know the guys have to havethings you'd die for 20 months
(46:02):
in, Right.
Yeah, oh, what do you want, son?
What will you want me to bring?
Oh, mom's jam.
I got to have blackberry jam.
That's awesome, Anyway, so, uh,so we're in Ecuador, Columbia
and Argentina, and so inArgentina, it was an opportunity
for me to go back where I wasas a younger.
Yeah, you know, and it's beenamazing.
So I'm down there about a weekor 10 days a month in South
America working on this roadsafety project.
So it's a combination ofproviding training and
mentorship to the agents thatare the officers that are doing
(46:23):
this work in those countries andthen linking them up with other
law enforcement leaders to givethem that support we take for
granted in Idaho.
They don't do that there, it'sjust so siloed.
So trying to link those up tooand break down those barriers,
that's fantastic, that's great.
It's been really, really good.
I was just in Ecuador last week.
I'll be in Colombia next month.
That's fantastic.
(46:43):
Yeah, it's great.
And your son gets home the endof July.
Yeah, he'll be here for threeweeks, then headed to Utah State
for school.
Speaker 1 (46:49):
Man when you get to see him the first time after a
couple years.
There's no words in Englishthat describe that feeling.
Is there.
Speaker 4 (46:57):
Yeah, I haven't had the experience yet.
We have three daughters, butour son is the first.
He's our youngest and our onlyson so yeah, it'll be very
exciting and very different thanmy experience because of the
technology and the ability totalk to him and stuff like that.
It's been a very differentexperience but yeah, it's neat
and neat to see thetransformation.
He said the other day he washaving a struggle.
(47:18):
So all of our kids top corn ifyou're familiar with what that
is in Canyon County and a lot ofkids in our neighborhood go out
and topping corn is not an easyjob and we always joke that
it's to make sure you go tocollege because it's hard work,
it's sweaty and sticky andeverything, and we made our kids
do that because it buildscharacter right.
So he was having a struggle ina leadership position in Ecuador
(47:38):
and he said the other day hejust said the problem is, dad,
some of these people have nevertopped corn in his shows and I
thought, wow, that's great,those Glenferry roots right
there coming through.
Speaker 1 (47:56):
That's very, very true, right?
Yeah, it was great.
So, anyway, and what a greatexperience to get away and see
that and put some skills to work, and I think most experiences
we have in life where we thinkit's a sacrifice for us, on the
back end of it we're like man, Itook a lot more out of that
than I gave.
That was 100%.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
It's just the way it kind of is right, absolutely my
experience Whatever sacrifice Imade, I got back a hundredfold.
Yeah, isn't that true?
Yeah, it's just incredible.
Speaker 1 (48:17):
Yeah, and I think if you go into something hard,
whatever that is, and you think,hey, how can I look at this as
a service opportunity and howcan I lift and support and help
others and be thoughtful aboutit, that thing ends up rewarding
you.
I mean, it's just, it's likethis there's some cosmic, you
(48:38):
know, equation somewhere inheaven that says, if you do it
right, you do it authentically,you do it for other people,
you're going to get more out ofit, and the more you chase that,
the more you get out of it.
And you never and it's anequation you will never satisfy,
because then you just want todo more of it right.
It's a nice way to buildmomentum and service and then
(48:59):
the kind of blessings that comeout of it, that's fantastic.
I skipped through your book.
It's kind of cool.
I didn't know you wrote a book,so what was the motivation
behind it?
Speaker 4 (49:10):
I'd been asked to speak sometimes about leadership
stuff and I thought, well, itmight be beneficial if I could
put some of these thoughts down.
And so I had a guy that helpedme publish it and wrote it a few
years ago and it's been reallyhelpful.
I don't know if the people thatread it get anything out of it,
but I know that I got a lot outof it.
Writing it Just to put thosethings on paper and think about
(49:32):
those things in that logicalsequence really helped me kind
of formalize my thoughts andkind of where I am as a person.
So it was very helpful for meto write it.
I think everybody has a book inthem.
Speaker 1 (49:42):
Yeah, did it take you more or less time than you
thought?
Speaker 4 (49:46):
It was longer than I thought it was going to be,
because after I finished mymaster's degree I didn't want to
.
After I wrote that I didn'twant to write anymore, ever
again after a thesis.
But and probably there's somecollege or some English teachers
along the way, some Glens forEnglish teachers that lost some
money on who's most likely towrite a book I probably wouldn't
(50:07):
have been at the top of theirlist or even on a list, but it
was.
It took a little longer than Ithought, but I was surprised how
much I got out of it by doingit, you know.
Speaker 1 (50:12):
I'm proud of you because I actually a few months
ago called someone becausethere's people that can kind of
help you and I thought I got abook in me somewhere there and I
thought about it and I did myfirst interview of what it was
going to take and I'm like I gotto wait until I get a little
more time because there is atime commitment to do it right.
There is that's absolutelycorrect To organize.
I can't wait to read it.
This is like a pleasantsurprise.
Speaker 4 (50:33):
Oh good, I'm glad.
Speaker 1 (50:36):
I hope it's helpful and available just for people
listening.
100%.
It's on Amazon, amazon, yep.
So lead now Colonel Kedrick RWills.
No title required.
I like it.
This is great.
Well, hey, I really reallyappreciate you coming on.
This has been really fun to getcaught up and thank you for
(50:58):
your service.
Speaker 4 (51:00):
Thank you.
I've looked forward to this fora long time.
This is really cool and Iappreciate you doing this, and I
just want you to know on apersonal level that I appreciate
you being the authentic personyou are and what you do for our
state, because, oh my gosh, I'mjust so thankful we have good
guys like you in positions thatcan make a huge difference at
due.
Speaker 1 (51:19):
So thank you for doing that.
I think this is this you saidit like why the state is so
incredible is its people, andthey're just as incredible.
I don't know.
It's just a heritage ofkindness and goodness and just
values that run deep, with folkshere that are relationship
(51:42):
based and we care for each other, and probably a great place to
do law enforcement.
It's a great place to be an ERdoc.
It's a great place to dobusiness.
It's a great place to raise afamily because the people right
and you're one of those guys I'mnot kidding.
I met a lot of guys in lawenforcement over the years here.
I've been here a long time andthere's no one like you.
(52:04):
I always looked up to you andthank you very much for what you
did and your service and, man,I'm excited for all you're doing
.
This is great.
Speaker 4 (52:13):
I don't know what the next chapter looks like but
right now it's pretty fun.
Speaker 1 (52:15):
I think there's some dad, there's some of your dad in
you, man, Maybe I think youcould be doing.
You could be, you know, outtopping corn and smiling and
saying it's the greatest daywe've ever had.
We need a sprinkle of you, alittle kid, all over everything
today Thanks, buddy, thanks forcoming on.
Today on the Ever Onward podcast we have a good
friend, ked Willis.
He was the colonel of the IdahoState Police Department.
He spent 30 years in lawenforcement, with the last seven
years before his retirementserving as the director of the
Idaho State Police.
He is most famously from GlensFerry.
We'll talk a little bit aboutthat and hear about his storied
(00:21):
career, about what he's doingnow and about his new book Lead
Now.
No Title Required.
Prior to hearing from Ked Willstoday, we are going to hear
from Kekoa Nawahine and MarkCleverley for an Allquist update
.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Good morning, mark Cleverley, with Allquist.
I'm Chief Leasing Officer herewith Kekoa, yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Kekoa Nawahine, also on the leasing team over at
Allquist.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
So I don't know that we've ever given an update on a
project that is not widely knownand we haven't done a ton of
marketing on it.
We're just kind of trying tofigure it out right now, but I
thought we would give an updateon it.
So it's ground that the city ofBoise owns.
We won, along with Adler, wewon the RFP and so we have the
(01:06):
rights to develop it.
The city will continue to ownit.
So it's really a we can't sellanything.
It's a for lease product that'sout there.
But wanted to give an update.
So it's Rockridge.
It's on Victory, victory, andit's great location, close to
(01:30):
the airport, close to theinterchange on Cole Road and and
then the one over on Curtis,kind of in between there, and
we're planning to do a flexproduct out there and we've
you've just kind of startedgetting after it out there and
there's actually been somepretty good interest, and so we
thought let's just give anupdate.
So if you wouldn't mindspending a few minutes and just
kind of give us an update onRock Ridge and where we're at,
(01:54):
yeah, really exciting location.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
It's just kind of in that great path of growth, easy
access to the freeway, close tothe airport like you're talking
about, which is reallyattractive to a lot of users.
So on that south side of victoryroad, yeah, in between coal and
orchard, really getting startedon kicking off kind of site
planning and getting buildingone going and designed and
planned for a lot of users outthere.
(02:18):
And we found that you know,we've done a flex building also
along victory road, victory andMeridian and we'll start our
second one out there.
But we found that there's a lotof demand in this light
industrial, slash flex for alittle bit of the smaller users,
like anywhere from 3,000 to10,000 square feet.
A lot of demand and not as muchproduct in that area.
(02:43):
And so when we start to bringthat out and we talk with
different users and they'reseeing that we have a flex or
light industrial, especially inthat area on Victory, like you
said, it generates a lot ofinterest.
And so working through thatprocess of okay, we got dock
doors, we got roll-up doors, howdo we make sure that truck
turning radius is all fit, andall the base level questions
(03:04):
that we need to be able toestablish for flex or light
industrial.
Going through that and theproject of rock ridge, it's
gonna be awesome.
We're excited to get rolling onthat and workplace a few of the
users that are.
They have heavy interest outthere yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
So we've been working closely with Brad, our in-house
architect, brad Smith, and thenCorey Hall, who's president of
construction, trying to justnail down the right size, the
right look, the right feel,where it sits on the property,
and I think we have determinedwhere that's at.
(03:38):
So our marketing materials arelike we're just kind of honing
those in and we're going tostart marketing this like crazy.
But you've already met with agroup that's out that that
potentially wants to be outthere.
You know we're working throughthat process with them, but it
looks like it looks really goodand it feels good and it's.
I think it's going to be talkto us quickly, I know.
(03:58):
I mean there's four or fivebuildings that we can fit out
there, a couple hundred thousandsquare feet.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Give us some, some updates on on kind of where
brad's at with the whole siteplan and development of it.
Yeah, so right now we've got umoverall site plan about four
buildings, roughly 30 to 40,000square feet anywhere in that
range total, and the ability todemise it spaces down to 3,000
square feet, and so a lot offlexibility from that end.
And the nice part is, whenyou're talking about, you know
(04:30):
Brad and Corey on our teamhaving everything internally at
AllQuest makes it really easy tobe able to cater to a tenant.
So we've got a group like yousaid that I've met with and say,
hey, here's our needs, here'swhat we need, and we've got
concepts of what we want to dofor a site plan.
Okay, where's building one?
Where can we place you guys?
We're able to quickly enoughbecause everybody's in-house and
(04:52):
because we can all collaboratetogether in real time, we can go
through these changes reallyquickly of like okay, here's how
we can make this work for thisuser in building one and kind of
cater it to their needs anddevelop a plan Sorry, yeah, got
a little frog-gested and developa plan that fits what they need
(05:14):
really quickly, instead of justtaking a few months and say we
can get back to you in a week,two weeks of this is how our
site plan can fit your buildingand make it a lot more
convenient for the users thatwe're working with.
And so having all of thatin-house and the ability to say,
hey, here's our building onewe're kind of designing it
around the first group or acouple of groups that'll come in
and take it, what does thatleave us with?
(05:34):
How do we fit our site plan inthe grand scheme of things to
make sure it's a cohesivebusiness park, cohesive, light,
industrial flex area where it'sall making sense and is really
catering to the users that aregoing to be there?
And so this first building Ithink it'll be close to 30,000
square feet right on the frontof Victory Road and making sure
(05:59):
that the right things are beingdone to cater to the users out
there, yeah, so, just realquickly, we talk a lot about the
power of relationships, um, andthis particular user that's
that's looking out there.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's a relationship that goes back, uh, almost 10
years, right, and a company thatwe were introduced to a long,
long time ago and has donereally well in our market and
we've always just stay engagedwith them, right, I mean, it's
always, you know, checking inwith them, making sure, seeing
(06:32):
how they're doing, and then, atthe right time, when they're
ready to continue to grow, right, they think of us, they think
of oh, I need to talk to theseguys and see what they have
available for me.
So it's going back to that.
It's the power of relationships, it's the power of just staying
on top of our game and whatwe're doing and knowing who the
(06:55):
people are and who the playersare, but just really being
interested and invested in eachone of these groups that we come
in contact with and staying intouch with them.
So it's just a testament tothat and really for all of our
projects right, I mean, that'show we're successful is the
power of relationships in whatwe do.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
A hundred percent, and I was talking to a group
earlier this week and they'relike well, what sets you guys
apart?
And I think a big thing for usis how many people in our
company are local, born andraised in this area.
And so you know, in the lifecycle of development or
commercial real estateespecially, maybe it is
something a relationship thatyou had 10 years ago, a
relationship that you've had fora while, that comes back around
(07:37):
, but it just shows that thecare, the passion that this team
has in developing the rightproducts and making sure that
your reputation, your communityprofile and all these things are
upheld the right way.
So when opportunities do comearound, people want to work with
you.
They have a good relationshipwith you and see what you're
doing in the market is somethingthat they want to be a part of
(07:57):
and know that when they go toyou they can be trusted and
taken care of.
And so I think for us it'simportant to also let groups
know and feel that we're allfrom here, we all want our
families to be raised in acertain community you know, have
opportunities and experiences,because this is where we were
born and raised and where we'reraising our families as well,
(08:18):
and so it's really important tohave those relationships be able
to make sure that they're takencare of and can trust, when
they come to us, they're goingto go through the process in the
right way and be part ofsomething that they can be proud
of.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, okay, great update.
Thank, you Look for moreinformation real quickly on
Rockridge as we continue todevelop that site.
It's going to be awesome.
Yeah, thanks, man, all right.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Cad, it's good to see you.
It's so good to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Thanks for the invite .
Speaker 4 (08:58):
I can't wait to hear how a guy like you is doing a
little retirement.
Yeah, it's good, is it good?
It is good, life is good.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Yeah, I noticed getting ready for this that you
haven't slowed down, soretirement's probably a loose
term here with you.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Yeah, I think retirement is Latin for find a
new job for me, right, but it'sbeen awesome.
It's a great time of life yeah,oh, good for you.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
I can't wait to hear.
I was down in Glenn's Ferryyesterday oh no, Really.
I was down in Glens Ferryyesterday oh no, Really.
Yeah, we should have done itfrom there.
Yeah, I know we should have.
So let's start there.
I mean Glens Ferry.
There's a lot of great peoplefrom Glens Ferry.
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Amazing people.
Yes, incredible people, and I'mso glad that you spend time
down there because, yeah, and Ithink every small town has that
this just happens to be mine.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yeah, because, yeah, small, and I think every small
town has that.
This just happens to be mine.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Yeah.
So what was it like growing upthere.
You know when.
It's interesting.
The reason I was there my folksaren't from there, I'm a
second-generation state trooperand the state police sent my dad
there and they're from theTreasure Valley.
And when they sent my folksthere my mother just cried and
cried and the state said ifyou'll just stay for one year,
we'll get you out of there in ayear.
And my mother was pregnant withme when I went.
In fact I am proof positivethat in 1972, the state police
(10:09):
academy had weekends off so Iwas bored after the academy.
My mother says that's crude,that I'm only proof positive
that they finally got a job withbenefits, but anyway.
So after a year they said we'reready to move you out of there.
And they said no, we don't wantto go anywhere.
My dad spent his whole 30 yearcareer there.
He's been retired for 20 some.
Now my mother was the mayor.
They've got their cemeteryplots.
(10:30):
I don't think they're goinganywhere.
So it was great, it was justfantastic.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So tell me a little bit about your dad.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Yeah, so he spent 30 years in the state police and
then retired and spent 14 in thelegislature and that's right.
After he retired he was in thelegislature for 14 years, mostly
in judiciary and rules.
He was a chairman of that onthe house side for a lot of
years and and then they bought atheater, an old theater there
in glens ferry, and ran that for25 years and did plays, dinner,
theater and stuff like that.
Our kids all grew up acting inthe theater and we all helped
(11:11):
cook and do the things that thein the kitchens and yeah, so it
was great, it was, it was, itwas.
What incredible what's your momlike um.
So she was a kindergartenteacher and then went back, got
a master's degree when, when shewas in her 40s, I was a height
in high school.
So she's a great example beinga lifelong learner.
Every time I talk to her I justhad lunch with him on monday
every time I talk to her, shetells me something she just
(11:33):
learned about a flower orsomething, something she's
reading.
She's 80.
Their health's still good.
Yeah, they're doing good.
Yeah, they're doing great.
I could not be more blessed tohave just amazing parents.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
What was it like growing up with your dad being
in the state police?
You obviously followed in hisfootsteps, but ever worried
about him.
Was it cool?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
He always made any job he did, he always made it
look like it wasn't a job, likeit was play.
Any job he did, even drive inheavy construction, heavy
equipment as a, you know hewould draw as a road grader
operator and on his off time,you know he always had a second
job and or piling beats.
He sat.
He sat at the beat piler atGlenn's Ferry every season for
years no-transcript example.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Yeah, isn't that incredible.
Like what you said, like in avery quick two sentences, was
like multiple jobs, state police, but always had another job.
Always made every job look funyeah, and he still does.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
he's just amazing like that.
So when I joined the statepolice, I thought, well, where's
the job that he had, cause thatlooks so fun?
And yet some of this is work.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Some of it is fun, but some of it is work, yeah,
but what I think I think intoday's world, how many times,
how many times would someone saythat about their?
You know well they're, theylove it, they're having fun or
they're making any job fun.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I'm sure doing the beat job and grading roads was
not always fun, but this guymade it fun, but he made it fun
and he took his kids with him.
I remember sitting next to himon a road grader and standing at
the beat piler and the otherthing that he taught and I'm not
sure he realized he wasteaching this then was the work
ethic, the importance of hardwork.
Which was probably one of thegreatest things I learned from
(13:23):
my parents was the importance ofhard work and a small town.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Well, and then I'm not letting you get off this
easy.
I'm learning all this for thefirst time, so I love all that.
And then they're running atheater for 25 years.
Yeah, that's not easy.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
No, no, and they bought that and, uh, and and it
really helped a lot of localkids and our kids all acted in
it and and it and it.
They grew that and it wasreally fun for our kids and it
was fun to watch our kidsblossom and they always did like
melodramas and so our, ourgirls would start as a little
tiny role and then eventuallyall of our daughters were the
heroine and you know, eventually.
But the family togetherness, itwas always doing it with the
(14:02):
family and doing it together wasfun and just fun to watch.
So my parents met in drama inhigh school.
That's how they met, so thatwas kind of their thing and so
they did that for 25 seasons atGlenn's Ferry and they sold the
theater.
It's still running.
They don't have it now, butit's still running.
Wow, it's still running.
They don't have it now, butit's still running, wow, yeah,
so it's fun.
Wow, a great place to live.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Great place to be raised.
It took me a while to getinvited there.
I told you the story Becausethat's where Corey does his
branding every year and I'd begto go.
He's like, oh, you're not readyfor Dan Hall.
I'm like what, you're not readyfor Dan Hall.
And so, like, after a coupleyears of asking him, he's like,
all right, you can come, but Idon't know, we'll see how this
(14:43):
thing goes.
And then we get about halfwayin the brand and I'm like I got
what he was.
I understood what he was sayingDan's awesome.
Oh, they're wonderful people.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Corey's.
Another one that came from goodstock, dan and Karen are
amazing people, they're the verybest.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They're like the absolutely very best people.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Yeah, wonderful people If I could tell a funny
story about Dan.
He, he, dan was.
They are, you know.
You know they're Karen's theonly one that cut my hair till I
went to college.
But anyway, and I've knownCorey all his life, but Dan, the
game and I think it was, Ithink it was against Oregon or
Oregon State and right beforehalftime Boise State wasn't
looking too good.
It was here, corey was playingand Corey got a pick six right
(15:22):
before halftime and totallychanged the tide of the game and
we went out at I think I wasworking the game with the state
police.
My brother and I went out athalftime to their tailgate or
whatever Dan was.
We're like oh my gosh, coreygot a pick six.
It gosh, corey got a pick six.
It was such a great, great playand he's playing really, really
(15:42):
well.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
And Dan just in Dan's way he needs to hit harder, and
he's serious, oh, totallyserious, totally serious.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
The dude is like hard as nails serious, oh yeah, oh
yeah, completely intense, ohyeah, just an awesome man,
though.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Just great but intense.
And you know Like it is atestament to the fact that God
lets like miracles happen, thatCorey is able to grow up and
like survive that guy, and likehe's tough.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Oh, he is tough, tough, tough.
Yeah, but he'd do anything foryou, but he'd do anything for
you, I'll tell you quick.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Here's another quick Dan Hall story.
So Corey was in.
Corey and Dakota are going torope team rope in the last year
in the rodeo, glenn's Ferry.
So I mean we're all excited,everyone from work wants to see
this right and so we go downthere and I love being around,
dan and Karen Just love it.
(16:31):
So we're sitting there in therodeo and because hometown kind
of hero coming home roping theteam roping was at the end and
then he was the very last one,so with Old Road we're sitting
there for a long time.
Well, during the bronc ridingI'm sitting by Dan and he's like
, yeah, watch this kid, he'sfrom here and he tells me a
little bit about the kid justhad a baby.
So I get the inside scoop ofthis kid that's going to be on
(16:54):
the bronco coming out right, newbaby and the whole thing.
Karen's like, oh, yeah, we knowhim, no-transcript, okay, cold.
And so we're sitting, you knowwe're sitting like probably 50
yards away from where this kid'sknocked out cold, and I'm like,
okay, you know, you see himgetting hurt before.
(17:17):
But so first thing, I'm readyto go and and and and and I'm
worried and he's like, ah, he'llbe okay, oh, there'll be
someone to get.
So I didn't run down there.
And then it was.
It was a little bit of delayedresponse to Anglin's Ferret Sure
.
So when you get bucked off ahorse and get knocked out, you
probably want to be.
You know they weren't runningout real quick, yeah, but I'm
getting ready to go and I'm likeDad, I'm going to go down there
.
He's like, ah, he'll be allright.
(17:37):
He's like he's kind of likeflopping like some of those damn
soccer players and flopping he,I'm sure, oh my gosh, I'm sure
Corey, I'm sure Corey, that'swhy he's so tough yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's just the way he was raisedJust amazing people, great
family.
His sisters are just like him.
Just amazing people, you know,you know the family.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
They're fantastic.
So tell us a little bit aboutyour choice to go in, and then
your time at State Police, andthen your last seven years.
You led the whole thing.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
Yeah, so I joined the State Police.
I met my wife in college overin Eastern Idaho, rick's college
well, it was in Rick's collegeand then served an LDS mission
and came home and she finishedup at Rick's in Argentina.
Where'd you go on your mission?
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Oh, that's a great mission.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
Yeah, and our in ecuador right now.
I was just there last week, um,not with our son, but working.
We can talk about that too, but, um, anyway, so my, my wife
finished up rick's while I wasgone and then finished up utah
state and we got married and Ijoined nampa police.
First they were hiringspanish-speaking officers, so I
went to work for nampa police,um, spent a lot of time there or
my time there I spent a lot ofit with Spanish-speaking folks
because that was kind of what Ihad.
(18:52):
My English isn't great, but mySpanish isn't too bad, so I'd
always wanted to work for thestate police.
It was always my goal since Iwas about three and I joined the
state police and was assignedto Burley-Rupert area.
I loved it.
We were there for seven yearsand then you know how the state
works If you want to move up,you have to move around, and so,
as the education increased andthe bachelor and master's degree
came, after I joined the statepolice, went back to school at
(19:19):
Idaho State and got both thosedegrees and moved around quite a
bit around the state and a lotof people saw stuff in me that
maybe I didn't even see myselfat the time.
So I had great opportunities.
I worked with GovernorKempthorne on his executive
protection detail and got toknow him really well and see how
the state government works atthat level.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Did you enjoy that?
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I did.
I loved working with him.
The travel schedule was alittle tough.
We had a young family at thetime.
The travel schedule was toughon the family, but working with
him was amazing and to be arounda leader of that level was just
great.
Just great to learn that, justgreat to learn that.
And then came back and had acouple years in forensics, which
was really good for me to learnhow forensics works and really
(19:55):
paid dividends later in mycareer when I was running the
organization to see forensicstuff.
And then Ralph Powell was thecolonel who asked me to be his
lieutenant colonel deputydirector, and then, when he
retired, governor Otterappointed me to be the colonel
of the state police, director ofthe state police, and then
Governor Little asked me to bethe Colonel of the state police
director of the state police andthen governor little asked me
to stay when governor little waselected.
So, um, uh, yeah, it's been ajust a, and I served for seven
years there and felt like it wastime to go.
(20:16):
And, um, I had, uh, had mypoints in where I could retire
in the state system and feltlike it was time for some
different challenges.
And, and so it's, I left, Iretired in.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
August.
Talk a little bit about one ofthe well.
I've known you for a long timebut one of the things that you
have to appreciate in Idaho islaw enforcement here.
Do you feel the respect andlove and appreciation here?
Is that something that's alwaysbeen part of being law
enforcement in Idaho statepolice level, and how does that
(20:46):
differ from your colleagues inother states?
It's a pretty special placewhen it comes to that isn't it.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
It really is and that's one of the reasons that
drew me to Idaho.
I didn't have any interest ingoing to the federal level or
anywhere other state because Iwanted to raise my family here.
The same thing that driveseverybody here.
I wanted to raise my family inIdaho and, you're right,
especially in the last five orsix years it's been more
pronounced in law enforcement,the anti-law enforcement
sentiment and all those things.
(21:13):
My counterparts that are on thewest side of us Chief Batiste
that runs the Washington StatePatrol and Superintendent
Cotting that runs Oregon StatePolice both of them have had
some really unique challengesthat we haven't had in Idaho
because we're supported here.
But there's a balance.
The public will only supportlaw enforcement in so much as
(21:34):
they trust law enforcement andso that balance and quite
frankly, they trust the IdahoState Police.
The majority of Idahoans trustthe Idaho State Police because
the people that went before usand I felt that heavy on that
mantle that I got in running theorganization it wasn't me, that
why they trusted us then, itwas the people that went before
me and I wanted to make sure Ikept that and didn't do anything
that would erode the publictrust, because that is a very
delicate balance, but I couldn'ttell you how many times in in
(21:55):
Idaho, especially in small towns, but even in Boise, where the
lunch, when you're in uniform,somebody would come over and say
your lunch has been paid for,but they don't want you to know
who.
Yeah, you know, and justincredible, incredible
experiences throughout Idaho.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I think tremendous respect and it's got to be
strange.
Well, it's got to be strangebecause we do have friends and
colleagues that are outside ofthe state and hearing their
stories is just such a differentdeal.
It would be hard, it is.
It would be hard to serve andput your life on the line, which
I want to ask you a couplequestions about that and know
that there's not that supportthere, and know that there's not
(22:31):
that support there.
I also, like when I expressappreciation to guys like you, I
did 10 years of night shifts inthe ER, so I was around law
enforcement almost every night Imean almost every night and
multiple sets of state or Boisepolice, meridian police, because
I worked at both locations andin all my years doing it, the
(22:53):
entire time doing it, I neversaw anything that wasn't 100%
professional, caring, part ofthe you know what I mean the
collaboration and just it wasjust always the best, frankly,
the best in in some of thehardest situations.
I mean cause you had reallydifficult situations sometimes
with people and situations ofpeople that were arrested and
(23:16):
not the nicest people in theworld and what they were doing
and interacting with staff andwith everything else and the
professionalism was always like,not once, so it's pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
I appreciate you sharing that, because we don't
always get that feedback rightFrom an ER physician.
We don't always get thatfeedback.
But you're right, you aredealing on a regular basis in
some tough, tough situations andthat's interesting.
I'm so thankful that's yourperspective and I hope for
Idahoans, if they have somethingthey feel it is less than what
they want, that they bring thatto somebody's attention, Because
(23:49):
of course they're humans andand what they want.
That they bring that tosomebody's attention Because of
course they're humans and ofcourse they make mistakes.
But gosh, give us a chance tofix it if there's a mistake.
But yeah, we really.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I'm thankful that was your experience because
throughout my career, regardlessof what uniform they wore,
they're always willing to help.
Again, I'm going to ask you abunch of stuff, but speak to the
collaboration in our state,because the other thing that was
always, um, always felt justright was the interaction
(24:16):
between state.
Local police seemed to be atleast from a user's perspective
in the ER kind of thing justtons of collaboration and good,
good interactions.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Yeah so I'm thankful to talk, to be able to talk
about that.
We early on in my career that II felt like that wasn't always
a case in Idaho.
There were some rubs with cityand county and state and I
remember doored up with myfriends about that.
Early on in my career I feltlike that wasn't always the case
in Idaho.
There were some rubs with cityand county and state and I
remember doored up with myfriends who were city officers
or county deputies and sayingwhy can't our bosses get along?
Boy, if we're ever the bosses,we're not going to screw this up
.
And I'm thankful now that wehave people that are leading law
(24:45):
enforcement organizations inIdaho that are so collaborative
because we're so rural.
The Idaho State Police is a goodsize organization but we're
spread so thin across the statewe can't do everything.
We can't do it all, of course,and so we have to lean on each
other.
We call it the blurring of thebadges, because I'm convinced of
this If I really need help, ifI'm on the side of the road or
I'm in an incident where Ireally need help, I don't much
(25:06):
care what the badge says, I justwant help.
And if we get wrapped up inwhat the badge says, then bad on
us because the public doesn'tcare.
They just want help and it's onus to provide that service and
work together to do it.
And so I'm really proud we'refrom a state where we do that.
I would regularly attendmeetings with colonels from
other states.
They meet and I would hearhorror stories from other states
(25:27):
and I'd just come back to Idahoand go oh Mike, I'm so thankful
we're in Idaho, we have publicsupport, we work well together.
It's just different here.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay now, moving to kind of my next thought.
You think about what makes ourstate so great.
I mean, and it's great, it ispublic safety and it is the
trust that the public has in lawenforcement.
It is thankful that the publichas in law enforcement.
It is thankful We've got alegislature that values public
safety.
I think we've got localjurisdictions and state and
(25:58):
counties that value funding ourlaw enforcement.
But then the other side of thatis you're the guys that are in
danger, right, because we aresurrounded by other states that
don't have those same sentiments.
We're right next to Oregon thatare in danger, right, because
we are surrounded by otherstates that don't have those
same sentiments.
We're right next to Oregon forcrying out loud, right.
I mean, we're just Oregon'sright there, washington's right
(26:18):
there.
I think the other way isprobably a little bit more like
us with Wyoming and Montana andUtah, nevada.
I'm not so sure.
I don't have that muchexperience there, but what's it
like knowing that I don't know,like every car you walk up to or
every door you walk up to, thatyou just don't know what's
(26:40):
going to happen.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Yeah, that's exactly right, and so I think that it
comes down to getting peoplethat make really good decisions,
training them well and givingthem the very best equipment
that you can.
That's how we keep our officerssafe, and I think we do a really
good job of that in Idaho.
Of course, it doesn't mean thatthey're not in danger Anytime.
You have a job where you needto know your blood type or
(27:02):
you're putting on body armor, ofcourse your life is in danger
and sadly, that came home to uswith with an 80 County deputy
here just recently, but, um,which is a terrible tragedy, Um,
and, and those things happen inour profession, sadly.
But, uh, one of the things Ithink that we can do above all
else is to make sure that ourofficers are well, because, uh,
(27:22):
the statistics are a little bitdifferent depending on where
you're at, but nationwide it'sestimated, for every one officer
that's killed in the line ofduty, there are three that take
their own life, and it's becauseof the stresses of the job.
I just read a stat last week Iwas in Ecuador and the retired
chief of Boise PD went with meto teach a wellness class to the
officers in Ecuador.
I was just with Ron Weiningerin Ecuador this last week and I
(27:43):
was listening to him speak andteach Ron's awesome, he's
awesome, he's awesome.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
He's great.
You two are like legends man.
Honestly.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
It was fun.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
It was fun to travel with him At least for me, the
Mount Rushmore of lawenforcement.
You're two of those guys.
That's fun, so you wenttogether.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Yeah, we did With a major from the Utah Highway
Patrol and we went down andtaught.
It's part of what I'm doing nowfor the International
Association of Chiefs of Police,I'm stuff like this and so I
had asked Ron cause he teacheswellness.
He I don't know if you'refamiliar with his history, but
he was involved in a shootingthat killed Mark Stalin, nearly
killed him and should have.
In fact, the physician thattold him how close he came to
hitting his femoral artery saidyou came this close, Maybe you
(28:19):
were the physician, I'm notasking you to divulge anything.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
I wasn't, but I know what happened and it was crazy.
He's lucky to be alive.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
I'm just sharing what Ron was opening the class to
share.
But he is very but he's inRon's way.
You know, ron, he just the wayhe teaches is so great.
But he was sharing some ofthese stats.
One of the stats that he sharedis the average American has
between, I think, two and fivetraumatic experiences in their
life and the average policeofficer has between four and 700
throughout their career.
So if we don't teach them howto deal with the trauma that
(28:48):
they see and how to process youknow, you saw trauma.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You were in a profession that saw probably
more than police officers too,as far as the trauma on a human
yeah, the one thing that I thedifference and I've talked a lot
over the years to people aboutthis like it comes pre-packaged
to us, sure, and that's fair.
Yeah, you know what I mean, yeah, and the few times I've had a
few experiences in my life whereI have gone on rides as part of
(29:13):
our training, mostly witheither EMS, fire and law
enforcement, it's just different, oh my gosh, it's different.
So I'm always a little bithumble when they like.
It's not the same, because whenyou guys come in and they come
in, those first responders, man,it is pre-packaged.
(29:33):
They've experienced that socialinteraction that happens on a
tent scene.
It's happened, they've figuredit out, they've stabilized and
then they come down.
So sure, we're part of it.
But, man, I'll tell you I got afirst row seat to just how
special and, I think,underappreciated like, as much
as I think we get it, I don'tthink we get it that we live in
(29:56):
a society where, no matter whathappens today right here in my
hallway, I'm like a one callaway from having people rush
here and and take care ofwhatever it is.
Yeah, running into, runninginto where there's danger
Running into the danger.
I mean it's just.
And then they run in, put theirlives at risk very frequently
their expertise to either savesomeone from danger or take a
(30:22):
really acute situation that isnot easy put their life in
danger and then somehow we justkind of think that's normal.
It's not normal.
Yeah, that's right.
If you think about, if you wentback.
You know I look at when I, whenI'm throwing in emergency
medicine.
You know someone, I chose it inthe nineties, but you go back
to the early eighties and theseventies.
(30:43):
This doesn't exist Like thisidea that we had EMS and people
running.
You know law enforcementexisted to someday, but a
coordinated effort to protectand serve public where it is so
united on these calls, we'rejust so lucky, yeah.
Speaker 4 (30:58):
Yeah, you're absolutely right, and it comes
at a cost, and some of the costis to equip them with the very
best equipment you can.
I feel like we owe it to thosepeople rushing in here to give
them the very best equipment wecan, because otherwise it comes
down to training and it comesdown to equipment and it comes
down to getting the right people, and I think we owe it to those
people, and that's thattwo-prong right.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
When they get there, do they have everything they
need?
And then, secondly, how do youdeal with, over and over and
again, being exposed to thosesituations and the trauma that
comes from it it does?
How do you process it?
Speaker 4 (31:27):
And I think we're getting better at figuring out
how to keep them well, becausewe don't just need them well.
I think of a college athlete.
They want them all involved allin every day for four or five
years.
We need them all involved allin every day for 30.
And then we want them to live ahealthy retirement after?
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Yeah, and you add on top of that.
So the other thing that, beinga guy that did shift work for a
long time, I used to always sayyou know, sleep's overrated,
until I had my first heartattack a few years ago.
Right, but it's shift work too.
Yeah, it is.
On top of the stress thing,it's the circadian rhythm.
It changes the way you do yourfamilies, because think about,
(32:06):
in fact, we're helping with thelaw enforcement child care
facility right now that will beout at Meridian.
But there's just so many thingsthat aren't normal about the
work you were in for 30 years.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
Yeah, and that child care facility what you have done
on that is going to changeofficers' lives.
Yeah, it's going to be really,really amazing.
And I'm so thankful we haveguys like you that recognize
that, hey, we've done a littlebit of part, but what a great.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
I mean, and I'll tell you what, from coming in and
the idea, and I think it's atestament.
You talk to the people thatcame in from.
They're out of San Diego butthey're like it's an incredible.
This valley is incredible andI'm like, yeah, tell me
something.
I don't know but how all theorganizations collaborated and
how the it came together.
The idea we'll talk a littlebit about is just to have a
childcare facility that isspecific for children.
(32:53):
Of law enforcement, because ofthe shift work, because of some
of the other security things,because of all those things, and
, man, I'm really proud of thatwork.
It's going to be an amazingfacility.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
I think that's going to change the face of law
enforcement in the TreasureValley.
I truly I'm not.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
I don't think I'm overstating that Well you start
thinking about recruitmentretention and how you help take
care of families and support theservice.
I love it.
Yeah, it's awesome.
Be a great model for the restof the country.
I agree and I'm glad that it'shappening here soon.
Okay, next thing, because, man,this is going to go by fast.
What are some of the like30-year career?
(33:28):
What are like if you had tojust talk for a minute about
some of your takeaways?
Lessons learned, either aboutpeople or about Idaho, about
leadership.
I mean storied career, man.
I mean you're a humble guy buta great career.
You ended it at seven years atthe top.
(33:49):
What are some of your biggesttakeaways?
Speaker 4 (33:52):
So thank you.
I appreciate that the best partof my job was to meet
incredible people.
Throughout my entire careerI've met incredible people.
I just this morning.
I was talking to one thismorning as I was getting ready
for work.
That's a guy that I worked within.
He lives in Idaho and he calledme and he he's gonna be in town
this weekend for State Trackand you know that I met him 30
(34:14):
years ago when I was a youngtrooper and those kinds of
relationships and theopportunity to build those
relationships throughout my lifehas been the most rewarding
part.
Idaho is unique, but it's uniquebecause of the people that
choose to call this home.
And I mean the first time I metyou I was just like, oh my gosh
, this guy, for as much as youhad done and as much as you have
given to our state, you're justsuch a just a down-to-earth guy
(34:36):
.
I don't know what I expectedwhen I met Tommy Alquist, but I
didn't expect a down-to-earthguy that you can just talk about
was another one Just down, markNoble's son, just down to earth
people Our elected officialsare just.
They're just Idahoans trying todo what's best for Idaho.
And that's been the mostrewarding for me is to meet
(34:56):
amazing people that you thinkwouldn't be just down to earth,
people that are just good folks,and to be able to serve them.
I think has been the, for me,has been the most rewarding.
I just last weekend I was up atup in Northern Idaho and saw
Sean Keogh I don't know if youknow Sean, I hadn't seen her in
several years and to see heragain, people like that, it's
just that's been the mostrewarding for me.
(35:16):
And the other piece is to helpemployees develop, because my
mission, my life's mission andit's been this way for many
years is to become the bestversion of myself, so I can help
other people be the bestversion of themselves.
That's really what drives me,and so, whether it was to talk
somebody into getting furthereducation or to help them
prepare for a promotion, or tohelp them, if they wanted to
(35:37):
stay where they are, be the verybest patrolman they could be,
to help them progress as humanbeings, not just as employees,
if we help employees develop ashuman beings, they'll develop as
employees, but the reverseisn't true if we only develop as
employees.
So I really enjoy watchingpeople develop as become better
human beings, whatever thatlooks like for them and it's
different for everybody.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
That's awesome, that was incredible.
That's going to be a clip onthe wheel release.
Right there, that's perfect.
Talk about your book.
Yeah, there, that's perfectTalk about your book.
So your book Lead Now, no TitleRequired.
Unleash the Power Within to Getwhen you Want to Be so that's
the very essence of the book.
Speaker 4 (36:20):
I thought I don't know why I thought this way, and
maybe it's because I'm slowerthan most.
I thought that when you becamea leader is when you start
acting like a leader.
I didn't understand until I wasa few years older and more
mature.
When you start acting like aleader, I didn't understand
until I was a few years olderand a little more mature.
If you start acting like aleader, you don't need the title
, because if we're promotingright with you, you run a large
(36:40):
organization.
If you're promoting right inyour organization, you're
promoting the guy that alreadyis a leader.
Yeah, right, yeah.
And so I think that that's thesecret to that.
You don't need a title to be aleader.
In fact, you can't be a leaderunless you can lead yourself.
To begin with, I think of guysand gals that have accomplished
anything in their life.
They had self-discipline to dothat, not when the lights were
(37:01):
on.
It's at five o'clock in themorning, when nobody knows
they're getting up to study inmedical school or whatever the
issue is.
I've got a son-in-law in lawschool right now.
He just finished his first yearof law school here at
University of Idaho and Iwatched him Every single family
function we had.
He would come and eat and thenhe'd excuse himself to another
room to study.
That's how the first year oflaw school is, and whatever
(37:21):
accolade he gets throughout hiscareer, nobody's going to see
that at the Christmas party hespent the four hours studying,
isn't that true?
Speaker 1 (37:32):
It really is.
And as you mentor and I knowhow many people you've mentored
because that's part of yourthing trying to understand the
work part of it the realpersonal routines that create
momentum for success.
They're thoughtful, for sure,100% they're authentic they're
driven and they can be.
I think one of the problems Ithink people have is they think
(37:55):
well, I wasn't born that way.
Yeah, talk a little bit aboutthat.
Yeah, because I think over yourcareer you've probably had lots
of examples of people thatprobably didn't know they had
that there and in them and youprobably mentored them to create
their better version ofthemselves, yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
So I think that starts with having people doing
that for you.
I mean, I don't know if youknow who Bill Brock is.
He's a super winning highschool basketball football coach
.
He coached at Middleton now,but he coached at Glens Ferry.
I've heard his name.
He's incredible.
He just I think he had his300th victory here not long ago.
I mean, he's an incrediblecoach.
(38:34):
But he was my high schoolfootball coach, head football
coach in Glens Ferry, and Iremember him saying the
principal here is win.
What's important now and Iremember him beating that in our
heads and his voice rang in mymind at 4.30 in the morning when
my alarm went off and I was ingraduate school and raising a
family and working full-time asa district commander Okay,
what's important now?
Coach Brock wins.
So I think it's other peoplehelping you instill those too.
But you're absolutely right.
It's not doing what's wheneverybody's looking and clapping
(38:56):
and cheering, that's easy.
It's when nobody's looking, whoare you really?
Not what people think you are.
You know, I've spent my wholelife just trying to be the man.
My mom thinks I am Right, youknow.
But it's about the.
I think it's about what you'redoing in the dark when nobody
sees.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
Yeah, any, any.
Uh, give us some.
Give us some of your, your biohacks on leadership, your life
hacks.
What are?
What are some things that areimportant to you, routine wise,
that keep you where you need tobe, so you're at your best self
to help others.
Speaker 4 (39:27):
Yeah, um, that's, that's awesome.
I appreciate the platform toshare a few things.
One is to there's an amazingbook you probably read it,
called the 5 AM Club.
Oh yeah, and it's about gettingup at 5 AM and I don't know of
anybody who's successful, whosleeps in.
I just maybe there are some.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
But I don't know anybody.
Speaker 4 (39:44):
There's another one called the.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Perfect Day, but the principle of starting it right.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
Yes, own the day, own day on your life.
But, yeah, it's about startingright and starting.
You know, being principledabout starting your day right
and planning your day and notletting your day run you no, um,
I think that has been reallygood.
And for me, another part isbeing a lifelong learner.
I mentioned my mother taught methat, um, and a certain reading
isn't the only way you canlearn, but it is is a great way
to learn, and so I keep track.
I set a goal every year of howmany books I want to read.
(40:13):
I love that.
I keep track of the books in myplanner that I've read that
year and always want to bereading.
I'm always reading a book, andwhen I was with the state police
, we did a reading challenge,journal Club and I challenged
everybody to be readingsomething, and I said I want you
to ask me what I'm reading, butbe prepared, I'm going to ask
you too.
And I got some great ideas ofbooks and I don't really care
what you're reading.
(40:33):
And so then, of course, it cameback.
Well, does it matter what we'rereading?
I said, no, it doesn't matter.
What matters is you're reading.
I mean, if you're reading DrSeuss and you're a biologist.
Maybe our hiring practices needto be revamped, but reading is
an amazing way to keep your mindopen, and so I'm always trying
to read.
I'm reading right now a bookcalled the River of Doubt.
(40:53):
It's about Teddy Roosevelt'sjourney through the Amazon
rainforest, I've heard.
Is it good?
It is really, really good.
Yeah, and I'm part of a bookclub and we're always reading in
the book club.
Anyway, that's not the only way, but it is a great way to be a
lifelong learner.
So I think reading is important.
I think being disciplined everyday is important.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
All the stuff that I'm sure has made Tommy Alquist,
Tommy Alquist is what I'm notgoing to share, anything you're
not already doing, I'm sure.
Yeah, no, and I will tell you,like that morning thing.
What's beautiful about that isGod gave us circadian rhythms
for a reason, right, for areason.
Sun comes up every day, goesdown, and it's this daily reset
that happens every 24 hours,where you sleep and your brain
clears all thoseneurotransmitters that need to
(41:40):
be cleared out overnight.
You have a chance to wake upand look in the sunlight in the
day and center yourself,whatever that means for
different people, get rightspiritually, get right mentally
and motivationally, hopefully,do something that's a little
physical, something thatinspires you reading, whatever
that is, and kind of setyourself for the day.
The beautiful thing about thatis, if it doesn't go well which
(42:02):
a lot of days it doesn't go wellyou get that chance the next
morning.
Yeah, that's exactly right.
Every day, I mean, and with afew of the people that I, I
mentor, I'm like that's one ofthe first questions I ask is
how's that going?
And you'll find that if theycan build that momentum and
start stringing a few of thosedays together and then more and
more like, oh, I was good threeor four or five times this week.
(42:23):
It just sets your day in areally good spot.
It does.
You're balanced.
I call it living arrows out,right.
You're starting the daythinking, okay, who am I going
to go help, how am I going toaffect, how am I going to show
up at work in my best version?
And then you've got to have alittle grace for yourself,
because it doesn't always gogreat and you have days when
you're just done.
Yeah, that's right, I actuallyhad one of those last night.
Oh, really, I just got homelate.
(42:50):
Man, I am tired, I am beat, andthat's okay too, right?
Sure, of course, when you kindof just leave it all and just
like you know.
Speaker 4 (42:58):
Yeah, the physical fitness piece right in the first
of the day.
I found that when I tell myself, the story that I tell myself
is I'll get to it later in theday.
It never happens, but if I doit as soon as I wake up and I
get that.
So for me it's getting thespiritual piece in right away.
That's the first thing I do,and then the workout piece, and
then comes the rest of theplanning, the day and all the
motivation, all that other stuff.
But for me I strugglepersonally and I'll just bear a
(43:20):
little bit here.
I'm really good when I'm home,but right now, because of the
work I'm doing, I'm travelingall the time.
That's a complete complexityand it's really the complexity
is really hard right, and so Ihad to figure that out.
And so what I had to do and I'mmuch better just in the last
month, because I was very fewweeks in my home all week I'm
usually on a plane somewhere,and so I had to figure that
(43:43):
piece out.
And so once I got it dialed inand figured out, now it's a
complete game changer, becauseat home it's easy my treadmill
is where it is, my weights arewhere they are, I'm in my own
bed.
I sleep well.
All those things On the road,it's just so.
One of the things.
That sounds just ridiculouslysimple, but I made sure I went
and found the gym as soon as Ichecked into the hotel.
I'm not using it that night,but if I didn't just simple
(44:09):
things.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Gosh, I'm jumping all over, but I want to make sure I
get there.
So August was when you retired.
Yes, you're busy now.
Talk a little bit about thework you're doing
internationally and travel, andhow it's been.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
It's been just amazing.
It's been incredible.
I was so thankful to have theopportunity to have worked for
two great governors.
I worked for Governor KimThorne as well, and Governor
Risch.
I was on Governor Risch'sdetail as well.
Amazing guys, Very differentleadership styles, but both of
them great guys.
But to work for Governor Otterand Governor Little was just a
(44:45):
great experience.
But when I retired and it wastime to switch gears, I didn't
really know what retirementwould look like.
I didn't know, and so I got acouple phone calls from a couple
organizations and one of them.
So I'm doing some consultingwork for a couple American
companies.
So that's a lot of domestictravel.
(45:17):
No-transcript could help withthis road safety project.
So this is about reducingfatality and injury crashes in
developing countries and inSouth America.
They needed somebody that knewthe language and could speak,
knew the language but also theculture and could meet with high
level leaders, secretaries oftransportation, mayors you know
(45:38):
those kinds of people in thesecountries and so they'd asked me
if I'd be interested and Ijumped right at it.
Our son is in Ecuador right now.
He comes home in July and so itwas an opportunity to go where
he is not that I rub shouldersall the time with him or
anything, but you know I takethings he has to have, like his
mom's homemade jam and stufflike that.
You know the guys have to havethings you'd die for 20 months
(46:02):
in, Right.
Yeah, oh, what do you want, son?
What will you want me to bring?
Oh, mom's jam.
I got to have blackberry jam.
That's awesome, Anyway, so, uh,so we're in Ecuador, Columbia
and Argentina, and so inArgentina, it was an opportunity
for me to go back where I wasas a younger.
Yeah, you know, and it's beenamazing.
So I'm down there about a weekor 10 days a month in South
America working on this roadsafety project.
So it's a combination ofproviding training and
mentorship to the agents thatare the officers that are doing
(46:23):
this work in those countries andthen linking them up with other
law enforcement leaders to givethem that support we take for
granted in Idaho.
They don't do that there, it'sjust so siloed.
So trying to link those up tooand break down those barriers,
that's fantastic, that's great.
It's been really, really good.
I was just in Ecuador last week.
I'll be in Colombia next month.
That's fantastic.
(46:43):
Yeah, it's great.
And your son gets home the endof July.
Yeah, he'll be here for threeweeks, then headed to Utah State
for school.
Speaker 1 (46:49):
Man when you get to see him the first time after a
couple years.
There's no words in Englishthat describe that feeling.
Is there.
Speaker 4 (46:57):
Yeah, I haven't had the experience yet.
We have three daughters, butour son is the first.
He's our youngest and our onlyson so yeah, it'll be very
exciting and very different thanmy experience because of the
technology and the ability totalk to him and stuff like that.
It's been a very differentexperience but yeah, it's neat
and neat to see thetransformation.
He said the other day he washaving a struggle.
(47:18):
So all of our kids top corn ifyou're familiar with what that
is in Canyon County and a lot ofkids in our neighborhood go out
and topping corn is not an easyjob and we always joke that
it's to make sure you go tocollege because it's hard work,
it's sweaty and sticky andeverything, and we made our kids
do that because it buildscharacter right.
So he was having a struggle ina leadership position in Ecuador
(47:38):
and he said the other day hejust said the problem is, dad,
some of these people have nevertopped corn in his shows and I
thought, wow, that's great,those Glenferry roots right
there coming through.
Speaker 1 (47:56):
That's very, very true, right?
Yeah, it was great.
So, anyway, and what a greatexperience to get away and see
that and put some skills to work, and I think most experiences
we have in life where we thinkit's a sacrifice for us, on the
back end of it we're like man, Itook a lot more out of that
than I gave.
That was 100%.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
It's just the way it kind of is right, absolutely my
experience Whatever sacrifice Imade, I got back a hundredfold.
Yeah, isn't that true?
Yeah, it's just incredible.
Speaker 1 (48:17):
Yeah, and I think if you go into something hard,
whatever that is, and you think,hey, how can I look at this as
a service opportunity and howcan I lift and support and help
others and be thoughtful aboutit, that thing ends up rewarding
you.
I mean, it's just, it's likethis there's some cosmic, you
(48:38):
know, equation somewhere inheaven that says, if you do it
right, you do it authentically,you do it for other people,
you're going to get more out ofit, and the more you chase that,
the more you get out of it.
And you never and it's anequation you will never satisfy,
because then you just want todo more of it right.
It's a nice way to buildmomentum and service and then
(48:59):
the kind of blessings that comeout of it, that's fantastic.
I skipped through your book.
It's kind of cool.
I didn't know you wrote a book,so what was the motivation
behind it?
Speaker 4 (49:10):
I'd been asked to speak sometimes about leadership
stuff and I thought, well, itmight be beneficial if I could
put some of these thoughts down.
And so I had a guy that helpedme publish it and wrote it a few
years ago and it's been reallyhelpful.
I don't know if the people thatread it get anything out of it,
but I know that I got a lot outof it.
Writing it Just to put thosethings on paper and think about
(49:32):
those things in that logicalsequence really helped me kind
of formalize my thoughts andkind of where I am as a person.
So it was very helpful for meto write it.
I think everybody has a book inthem.
Speaker 1 (49:42):
Yeah, did it take you more or less time than you
thought?
Speaker 4 (49:46):
It was longer than I thought it was going to be,
because after I finished mymaster's degree I didn't want to
.
After I wrote that I didn'twant to write anymore, ever
again after a thesis.
But and probably there's somecollege or some English teachers
along the way, some Glens forEnglish teachers that lost some
money on who's most likely towrite a book I probably wouldn't
(50:07):
have been at the top of theirlist or even on a list, but it
was.
It took a little longer than Ithought, but I was surprised how
much I got out of it by doingit, you know.
Speaker 1 (50:12):
I'm proud of you because I actually a few months
ago called someone becausethere's people that can kind of
help you and I thought I got abook in me somewhere there and I
thought about it and I did myfirst interview of what it was
going to take and I'm like I gotto wait until I get a little
more time because there is atime commitment to do it right.
There is that's absolutelycorrect To organize.
I can't wait to read it.
This is like a pleasantsurprise.
Speaker 4 (50:33):
Oh good, I'm glad.
Speaker 1 (50:36):
I hope it's helpful and available just for people
listening.
100%.
It's on Amazon, amazon, yep.
So lead now Colonel Kedrick RWills.
No title required.
I like it.
This is great.
Well, hey, I really reallyappreciate you coming on.
This has been really fun to getcaught up and thank you for
(50:58):
your service.
Speaker 4 (51:00):
Thank you.
I've looked forward to this fora long time.
This is really cool and Iappreciate you doing this, and I
just want you to know on apersonal level that I appreciate
you being the authentic personyou are and what you do for our
state, because, oh my gosh, I'mjust so thankful we have good
guys like you in positions thatcan make a huge difference at
due.
Speaker 1 (51:19):
So thank you for doing that.
I think this is this you saidit like why the state is so
incredible is its people, andthey're just as incredible.
I don't know.
It's just a heritage ofkindness and goodness and just
values that run deep, with folkshere that are relationship
(51:42):
based and we care for each other, and probably a great place to
do law enforcement.
It's a great place to be an ERdoc.
It's a great place to dobusiness.
It's a great place to raise afamily because the people right
and you're one of those guys I'mnot kidding.
I met a lot of guys in lawenforcement over the years here.
I've been here a long time andthere's no one like you.
(52:04):
I always looked up to you andthank you very much for what you
did and your service and, man,I'm excited for all you're doing
.
This is great.
Speaker 4 (52:13):
I don't know what the next chapter looks like but
right now it's pretty fun.
Speaker 1 (52:15):
I think there's some dad, there's some of your dad in
you, man, Maybe I think youcould be doing.
You could be, you know, outtopping corn and smiling and
saying it's the greatest daywe've ever had.
We need a sprinkle of you, alittle kid, all over everything
today Thanks, buddy, thanks forcoming on.
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