- Hometown: Rupert, Idaho
- Role: Sergeant-at-arms for the Idaho House of Representatives
- Years of legislative service: Nine and a half
“I feel like I am a jack-of-all-trades and can figure out how to do almost anything. After being promoted to sergeant-at-arms, I was able to quickly learn and perform all of the job’s required tasks.”
Why did you choose to work at the Legislature?
When I retired from the U.S. Army and was looking for a part-time work in 2013, the job that was open was in the sergeant-at-arms office as the House chamber doorkeeper. I thought it might be interesting, so I applied and was chosen by the speaker. I have since been promoted to House sergeant-at-arms.
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
This is an interesting question in that I can’t say that I ever really got advice that stuck with me; rather, it has been examples of how things should be done. There have been many people in my life who have impressed upon me, by example, how to live my life and do the various jobs I have done—the best coming from my mother and father. I learned from them that wealth is not having a lot of money, but that wealth comes from being happy in the life that you have.
Who or what inspires you?
Watching do-it-yourself shows and videos motivates me to learn new things, like welding and woodworking, so that I can make things—a table, an entertainment center, a potting bench and more.
What’s one thing you love about your state?
The diversity and beauty of the land. There is just about everything in Idaho, from deserts to forests to very high mountains. I have been an outdoorsman all my life and enjoy being outside. A couple of years ago, I would also have said I like that there is a lot of open space and that Idaho was not largely populated. While that is still true, it is changing with more people moving here.
What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?
Mostly I read the newspaper, both in print and online. I like to listen to recorded books while traveling—political and legal dramas seem to get most of my attention lately. I like John Grisham, but also really enjoy nonfiction outdoor adventure novels from John Krakauer, and I recently read “Sailing a Serious Ocean,” by John Kretschmer.
I think I have watched every episode of “Survivor.” It’s my guilty pleasure.
I listen mostly to classic rock, some folk music and some country.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To suggest a staffer for this series, use the email icon above to contact Holly South.