“To me, there's no great chef without a great team.” - Daniel Boulud

 

Our Team

 

Executive Director

 

Karl Johan Uri

Growing up commercial fishing for king crab, cod and pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, Karl Uri has been part of the sustainable food movement his entire life. Karl spent the last 15 years working in Foodservice & Retail marketing roles for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in Seattle, WA while also maintaining a second home life here in Warm Springs.  Karl is happy to finally call Sun Valley his home and continues to look for connections between SVCI and our local food community.

SVCI Board Education Chair

 

Chef Dan Kish

Dan Kish brings over 25 years of culinary experience to his number one passion – Providing Access to Good Food… both in Taste and in Society.  Most recently, Kish has embarked on an independent path to help others who share a “heathy obsession with food”, with his firm, Food-Fixe.  Rooted in the fundamentals of cooking, enabled by the latest technology, and driven by the mantra of “Access to Good Food”, the Food-Fixe group is a resource for industry innovation and business strategy.

From 2005 until early 2017, Dan Kish held various leadership roles at Panera Bread (SVP of Food, VP of Food, and Director of Product Development). He was responsible for leading the development and innovation of the Panera Bread cafe menu including sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages. Kish also played an integral role on Panera’s Food Action Team, which lead efforts on clean ingredients, transparency, and having a positive impact on the food system.

Previous to his time with Panera, Kish served as the Associate Dean for Culinary Fundamentals at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, and as a faculty member. Kish also served as a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Kish’s lifelong curiosity and love of food led him to study at the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated with honors. He has worked around the USA and in Chambéry, France, traveled and studied many global food cultures, edited thousands of recipes and has appeared on Good Morning America, Food Network, the View and FOX & Friends as well as in publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Cooking Light and Martha Stewart Living.

Culinary Director

 

Chef Jorge de la Torre

Jorge de la Torre is the Culinary Director for the Sun Valley Culinary Institute. Jorge graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in business before attending the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. After graduation from culinary school, Jorge de la Torre worked in San Francisco and Hawaii. He then moved to Vail, Colorado, worked for Vail Associates and was chef/owner of a restaurant. He also worked for Whole Foods in Denver, many catering companies, and a steakhouse in NYC before finding his true culinary passion for teaching.

In 2001, de la Torre embarked on a new chapter in his career, dedicating himself to culinary education as a chef instructor for The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. His journey continued as he joined Johnson & Wales University-Denver in 2002, where he not only directed culinary operations but also earned his master’s degree in Adult Education from Colorado State University. His commitment and passion for culinary education were recognized when he was promoted to the position of dean of culinary education in 2005, a role he held until the University’s closing in 2021.  He then took on the role of Director of Culinary Arts for Kitchen Network, a nonprofit organization from 2021-2024 that focused on workforce development and business incubation for immigrants wanting to get into the culinary business.

He is on the board for We Don’t Waste, a nonprofit that picks up food from restaurants, stadiums, and caterers to distribute for free to those in need; Work Options, which focuses on teaching professional culinary skills to formerly incarcerated people; and a council member for CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness), which deals with the mental issues of the culinary world.

The Board

Sun Valley Culinary Institute has a Board that draws from years of experience to provide our students and staff with top shelf resources.

 

Corry Hart Clayville is a senior media executive with 25+ years of media expertise working with start-up brands in both television and digital media.

Demonstrated success in building teams, growing revenue, and crafting innovative branded partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.

Corry began her career as an advertising Account Executive in Chicago, which led to her first national role at a small, then fledging cable channel, called the Food Network. She played an integral role in the launch and rise of both Food Network and Cooking Channel.

After nearly a decade at Food Network working in various management roles in New York City, she left the food world to join Robert Redford in the launch of his newly formed basic cable network, Sundance Channel. At

Sundance Channel, Corry had the opportunity to play a leading role in crafting and producing original content, working with some of top names in music, film, and television.

In 2012, she met a handsome cowboy at Sundance Film Festival and retired from media to focus on building their family and launched her own consulting company, 3 of Harts, LLC.

In 2019, working as a consultant, Corry applied her expertise in startups and growing media business to help the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center acquire Cook for Your Life.

Cookforyourlife.org is a free, bilingual, chef-created, registered dietitian-approved cooking resource that empowers people affected by cancer to achieve better health through nutrition. Cook for Your Life offers an ever-expanding collection of recipes, instructional cooking videos and science-based nutrition and health information in both English and Spanish.

Corry is deeply invested in giving back to the community where she resides with her family on their ranch in Sun Valley, Idaho. She has a profound love of animals of all shapes and sizes, is a passionate foodie, and driven by a mission to improve the human condition of the those affected by cancer.

Corry Hart Clayville

Kristin Hovencamp has had a presence in Sun Valley since she was a young girl, and in 2019, she took a leap of faith and moved here year-round to pursue her dream of living near family. Previously, she spent 25 years in New York City, working over 20 years in global asset management. Kristin has a passion for capital markets, portfolio creation, and capital preservation (financial literacy has always been her thing).

Early in Kristin’s career, she recognized the power of having the confidence to use one’s voice. To do this, we must always be learning. She believes that everyone can benefit from having skills and knowledge that allow for better informed and effective financial decisions. Supporting people in taking an active role in their finances helps illuminate the path to pursuing their dreams.

Her philanthropic endeavors often involve surrounding herself with inspiring individuals who have helped her grow and understand how to elevate others. Kristin joined UBS in 2005 and became a wealth advisor at UBS Mogul Wealth Management in 2023, a team driven by empowering investors through promoting financial literacy. 

Whether you cherish spending time with family and friends, traveling, dining, playing sports, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, participating in the arts, pursuing philanthropic endeavors, or doing all the above, defining your life and financial goals empowers you to do so.

Kristin Hovencamp

Since opening his first Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop in March of 1998, Lincoln Spoor has grown Westward Dough to nine locations in Las Vegas and Denver, serving “Hot Original Glazed,” among many other delicious doughnuts, to residents in Nevada and Colorado.

In his never-ending passion for delicious food, Lincoln has also developed food courts in the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, and Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

He is also developing his own original food concepts that are currently in development.

In addition to his efforts on behalf of SVCI, Lincoln serves on the board of directors for the UNLV Harrah School of Hospitality, the nation’s top hospitality school and the After School All Stars, the largest national organization solely focused on providing school-based after-school and summer programs for low-income, at-risk youth. He was also the former President of the Sunrise Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of pediatric research and education in Southern Nevada.

Lincoln received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science in 1980 and earned his

Master of Business Administration degree from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College in 1984.

He and his wife, Sarah have four children and live in Sun Valley, Idaho and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lincoln Spoor

 

Advisory Committee

Tana Aardal was employed with Bank of America in Seattle, WA for 32 years, as Senior Vice President in sales and leadership roles in corporate and government banking. Her work experience included providing depository, treasury, investment, and credit products, with an understanding of complex financial statements and budgets prepared for corporate, not-for-profit, and public fund-accounting clients. 

 

She is a past member of Bellevue WA Schools Foundation, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, and served on the finance committee of Wood River Women’s Foundation. Currently she is Treasurer of Sun Valley Opera.

 

Tana Aardal graduated with a degree in Business and Economics from the University of Washington Business School. She is retired with a home in Sun Valley enjoying downhill and Nordic skiing, golf, hiking, and the local arts. 

Tana Aardal

Mindy Meads is an experienced CEO and seasoned C-suite level executive with 40+ years in the global apparel industry. She has held leadership roles in both mature and developing apparel companies as well as turning around and transforming struggling brands. Early in her career, she held a wide range of senior executive merchandising and operating positions at Victoria Secret, Sears, Gymboree, The Limited and RH Macy's. As CEO at Land’s End for 14 years, she successfully built the organization's global brand, expanding revenues from $650 million to $2 billion with double digit growth in the UK, Japan, and Germany. After Land’s End, Mindy was appointed as Co-CEO of Aeropostale where she reinvigorated the merchandise assortment, strengthened the fashion value equation, and launched new divisions as well as social media and digital platforms. During her four years at Aeropostale the company's total revenues almost doubled with an increase of more than 350% in net earnings per diluted share. Mindy has also served on a wide variety of boards including Blue Nile, Wet Seal and Mela Sciences, advised many other companies including Joe Fresh, and Calypso St. Barth’s, and is a former Director of the Federal Reserve Board for the 7th District (Chicago). 

Mindy received a B.S. from the University of Illinois and was an adjunct professor at Lim College teaching a graduate program on retail merchandising. She was the Chairman of the Women Presidents’ organization Zenith group and is a member of the C200 Women’s Executive Leadership Group. A native of Illinois, Meads now resides full time in Ketchum, Idaho with her husband.

Mindy Meads

 

Rob Cronin has lived in Sun Valley since 1995. He originally moved from New York City to open The Mint for Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. He fell in love with the Valley and has since owned several restaurants, including the award-winning Zou 75 in Hailey. A cancer survivor himself, Rob has been involved with Camp Rainbow Gold (a program for children with cancer and their families) for the past 16 years. He has been recognized nationally for his work with the camp by Realtor Magazine and was awarded the Good Neighbor award in 2006. Rob was also voted “Valley’s Best Realtor” in 2010.

Rob Cronin

Dan Kish brings over 25 years of culinary experience to his number one passion — providing Access to Good Food ... both in Taste and in Society. Most recently, Kish has embarked on an independent path to help others who share a “heathy obsession with food,” with his firm, Food-Fixe. Rooted in the fundamentals of cooking, enabled by the latest technology, and driven by the mantra of “Access to Good Food,” the Food-Fixe group is a resource for industry innovation and business strategy.

From 2005 until early 2017, Dan held various leadership roles at Panera Bread (SVP of Food, VP of Food, and Director of Product Development). He was responsible for leading the development and innovation of the Panera Bread cafe menu including sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages. Kish also played an integral role on Panera’s Food Action Team, which lead efforts on clean ingredients, transparency, and having a positive impact on the food system. Previous to his time with Panera, Kish served as the Associate Dean for Culinary Fundamentals at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, and as a faculty member. Kish also served as a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Kish’s lifelong curiosity and love of food led him to study at the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated with honors. He has worked around the USA and in Chambéry, France, traveled and studied many global food cultures, edited thousands of recipes and has appeared on Good Morning America, Food Network, the View and FOX & Friends as well as in publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Cooking Light and Martha Stewart Living.

Dan Kish

Penny Weiss is the ultimate entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the owner of The Event, a rental and event design company. She currently serves on the Sun Valley Culinary Institute Board; the Higher Ground Board, co-chairing their annual Hero’s Journey fundraiser and the Supper Club Committee; and on the board of The Spot Community Theatre. She also served 6 years on the St. Luke’s Volunteer Board and on the Swiftsure Ranch Board. She works closely with The Senior Connection, and revived the Festival of Trees for the community.

Penny is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Massage Therapist, and Drug and Alcohol counselor. She owns River Sage Stables in Bellevue, Idaho where she oversees Equine boarding and lessons. She loves people, horses, entertainment design and decor, travel, and reading. She is tireless and takes on all projects with zeal.

Penny graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a Masters Degree in Social Work, and was recently nominated as Woman of the Year in Blaine County.

Penny Weiss

 

Jesika Aardema grew up the oldest of 5 girls. Her passion for cooking was developed at a young age – experimenting in the kitchen alongside her grandmother who introduced unique German flavors and recipes into the cuisine she prepared for the family. 

 

Jesika moved all over the country until settling in Jerome, Idaho with her husband, Ron, a dairy farmer. Today Jesika and Ron are devoted parents to seven children and busy grandparents to six grandchildren. As such, family and food play a major role in Jesika’s life. She can be found almost daily in the kitchen cooking for someone. During the holiday season, Jesika and her husband love hosting Thanksgiving at their home in Ketchum and Christmas at their home in California. Family traditions and the creation of lasting memories are among Jesika's guiding principles, and cooking plays a pivotal role in upholding these core values.

Jesika Aardema

Mike Murphy began his interest in home design and construction at an early age, always accompanying is father to Sunday open houses. After graduating with a business degree from Cal State Fullerton, he began buying existing properties in Orange County, renovating and reselling them. After moving to Sun Valley, he started building and selling homes, obtaining his Real Estate license and then his Broker’s license. He joined McCann Daech & Fenton Realtors and quickly amassed sales of over $200 million. In 2017, Mike joined Engel & Völkers, one of the world’s most internationally recognized and respected Real Estate Brokerages. He has served as President of the Sun Valley Board of Realtors, past board member for the Sun Valley Center for The Arts, and donates a good portion of his spare time to helping raise money for organizations such as Higher Ground, the Wood River Animal Shelter, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church and the Swiftsure Foundation, which teaches handicapped children how to ride horses.

Mike, married to his wife Terry for 28 years, has 2 daughters and three grandchildren. One of the most familiar faces in the Wood River Valley, Mike has been bringing smiles to the faces of skiers with his world class comedy show, having appeared with Jerry Seinfeld, the Smothers Brothers, Elvis Costello and Tom Jones to name a few. He still enjoys taking the stage several nights a year where his shows sell out days in advance.

Mike Murphy

Jana Foushee was an avid and loyal visitor to Sun Valley for over 40 years. She and her husband, Jeff, raised their two children in Bellevue, Washington before making the permanent move to the Wood River Valley in 2012. She is now proud to call the Sun Valley home.

 

Jana received her BA from Washington State University in 1977 and has spent her life advocating for children and students of all ages. Jana has been an active member of the ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) – an organization started and run entirely by women to boost leadership and aid advancement in science and technology. Jana has been with the organization for over 15 years, raising critical funds to recruit and support graduate students to the STEM science programs at Washington State University and the University of Washington. Jana has been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and is currently a member of the Wood River Women’s Foundation.    

 

Jana adores her 5 active grandsons and loves to ski (downhill and XC), garden, hike, travel and enjoy great food and wine with her family and friends. She has been involved with the Culinary Institute since its early inception.

Jana Foushee

Rick LeFaivre has over 45 years of accomplishment as a computer science professor, R&D executive, venture investor and board member working at leading universities, high-technology companies and venture capital firms. He now resides in Sun Valley, Idaho, and focuses primarily on Board work, currently serving on the Boards of Pattern Computer, Inc.; the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Energy and Environment Directorate; the Sun Valley Culinary Institute; and the Sun Valley Economic Development organization.

Previously, Rick was a partner at OVP Venture Partners in Seattle, and held senior leadership roles at Apple Computer (VP of Advanced Technology), Borland International (SVP of R&D/CTO), Silicon Graphics (VP of Engineering), Sun Microsystems and Tektronix. He started his career at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey as a computer science professor, doing early research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. He also ran on-campus new venture incubators at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Washington, and has served on a number of government and university advisory boards, including the Software Patent Institute and CSNET, which evolved into NSFNET and, ultimately, today’s Internet. He received his BA in Mathematics from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in Computer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin, and has testified before the Congress of the United States on matters of technology policy.

Rick LeFaivre

 

Kasey Atkinson was raised in the San Joaquin Valley, California, the breadbasket of America. Between her family’s appetite for home-cooked meals, access to quality ingredients, and a legacy of hunting and fishing, the central valley shaped the way Kasey celebrates food. Kasey attended Whitman College and graduated with a BA in Politics and Environmental Studies. Since 2016, Kasey has worked as a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate in the greater Sun Valley area. Kasey cares deeply about preparing meals for family and friends. From canning and pickling in the spring to hunting in the Idaho mountains in the fall, and picking out the quality ingredient at the market, Kasey loves all aspects of prepping for a meal. With so much to offer, Kasey has no greater joy than helping community members, new and established, find their way either on the trails, in Atkinson’s Markets, or in the Sun Valley real estate market. Kasey married her college sweetheart Peter Atkinson in 2018 and recently welcomed their first child.

Kasey Atkinson

Suzy Carter Orb

Ron Greenspan substantially retired from a 43-year professional career in May, 2022. Following graduation from Harvard Law School in 1979, he practiced corporate and real estate law for a prominent national law firm. Subsequently he was a principal in a real estate investment and development company. Lastly, he formed and for the past 30 years co-led the largest national real estate and structured finance restructuring consulting practice, which is part of the FTI Consulting (NYSE:FCN) Corporate Finance and Restructuring (CF&R) group, the largest global corporate restructuring practice. Prior to his retirement, he also led the West Region of the FTI CF&R group and served on the Global Executive Committee and the Partner Compensation Committee of such group. Mr. Greenspan has served on three for-profit corporate boards (one as Chair), and has served as a chief restructuring officer, federal court-appointed examiner, SEC equity receiver, litigation and post-bankruptcy confirmation trustee, and Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee.

Ron and his wife, Susan, purchased their first Wood River Valley residence in 2008 and became full-time residents in 2017. In addition to the SVCI Board, Ron is the Vice-President and Board Member of the Sun Valley Museum of Art and a Board Member of the Wood River Jewish Community. When not cooking or entertaining, he can be found enthusiastically collecting wines, traveling, bike riding, hiking, Nordic skiing, playing with his granddaughter, and, like everyone else, has taken up pickleball.

Ron Greenspan

Patti McGrath, born and raised in New Jersey, grew up watching her Italian grandmother and mother lovingly prepare family recipes in their kitchen where she first got the bug for the culinary world. Her professional career moved her to California where she lived for 34 years in Berkeley, the epicenter of the organic and farm to table movement. As a passionate “foodie” Patti embraced hands-on cooking using seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables. While raising her family, she actively supported her community, particularly in the area of education where she was a fundraiser and board member for the French American School. As Chair of the school’s Kitchen Tour, she significantly increased the fundraising to $100,000 above the previous $60,000 average.

As a career woman, Patti used her art and design background to secure a position with Diane Von Furstenberg’s DVF in New York City. She managed a six-person team who oversaw fragrance and cosmetic sales in major retail outlets for thirteen states, including California. She then started her own company, Patti Mac Designs, specializing in “Art for Your Table,” sold through Macy’s and other fine stores nationwide. 

Patti continues to be an active fundraiser, philanthropist and volunteer now focusing her efforts in the Wood River Valley where she now resides with her husband Don with their grown children nearby.

Patti McGrath

 

William S. Potter (aka Potter), after graduating from the University of Arizona and serving as a decorated Army officer in Vietnam, enjoyed a 20+ year career with his family’s 100-year-old New York City based concessions company founded by his great grandfather, Harry M. Stevens. This international business offered food, beverage, building maintenance, merchandise, publishing support, design and architectural services to over 55 large sports venues. The company was sold to a competitor in 1994. Shifting gears, Potter found delight in working the soil when he created a certified organic produce farm in San Diego and joined the board of directors of Eco Soils System Inc, a company that developed proprietary products for the golf course maintenance and farming industries.

During Potter’s business career, he enjoyed volunteering in numerous non-profit organizations. While in Miami he served on the executive committee of the Doral Eastern Open PGA Tour golf tournament. When he moved to San Diego, he became a partner in the creation of Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, served on the board for 15 years and eventually became club president. Potter also served on the board of a local Boys & Girls Club. While his three daughters were in high school, he led a group to create the Torrey Pines High School Foundation. Potter also served on the board of the Century Club of San Diego, the local organizer of the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines. Potter became club president and tournament chairman in 2006.

After relocating to Hailey and joining the Valley Club, Potter was elected to the club’s board and subsequently served as president. He also served on the board of Higher Ground Sun Valley, where he chaired their expansion committee which eventually morphed into an 83-member national organization serving the veteran community. Potter remains well-connected with military and veteran organizations and sees a great opportunity to promote and provide after-service culinary arts training for those who have served.

William S. Potter

Carrie Morrow spent her childhood traveling North America and Europe with her career military father. Carrie's father was born and raised in Pocatello Idaho so many of Carrie's childhood memories are of family visits to see grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in Idaho. Carrie's love affair with Sun Valley began during her college days at Idaho State University. At ISU, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Clothing and Textiles. Securing a management position with Joslins Department Store in Denver Colorado, she spent her retail career in management, merchandising and buying positions with Joslins and Banana Republic. In 1988, she made a career change and opted to further her technical skills at Salt Lake Community College. After completing her computer studies, she moved to Silicon Valley and spent the next 20 years as a Technology Specialist in Bay Area law firms.

In 1995, Carrie introduced her husband to the Wood River Valley and he shared Carrie's enthusiasm so much that they vacationed here frequently and in 2016, they moved full time to Elkhorn. Seeking an opportunity to become involved in her new community, Carrie joined the Wood River Women's Foundation and became an active member in various committees including Membership and Grants. She joined the WRWF Board in 2019 and led the Strategic Planning Operations Team and functioned as Membership Co-Chair. Carrie is an active member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church and served Souper Supper at St. Charles Church until COVID ended this meal service. She has volunteered at various local organizations including Sun Valley Museum of Art, The Writer's Conference and the Senior Connection. Cooking is one of Carrie's passions so her kitchen is one her favorite places. She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys skiing (downhill and nordic) and snowshoeing in the winter. In Summer, you will find her hiking, biking and golfing. 

Carrie Morrow

Harry Griffith currently serves as Executive Director for Sun Valley Economic Development, a public-private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality and diversity of Blaine County Idaho. Originally trained as a geologist, he spent his career working in a variety of project and commercial roles for BP plc, with direct experience in 5 countries over 25 years. Harry has had senior leadership roles in emerging markets of Latin America, Russia, and China and led multi-million-dollar Upstream and Downstream development projects. Harry recruited and managed the team that constructed BP’s first Moscow service station as well as ten subsequent sites, establishing the platform for today’s 25% market share position. As a member of the RUSIA Petroleum management team, he delivered the feasibility study for an $18 billion East Siberian gas production and transmission project working with partners KOGAS and CNPC. He has also worked in BP’s corporate center with experience in corporate finance, audit and marketing functions.

Harry graduated with a BA from Dartmouth College and earned an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business. He is a resident of Sun Valley and has been involved with local not-for-profit organizations, including the Sun Valley Institute, Sun Valley Elkhorn HOA, the Ketchum Innovation Center, the Idaho National Laboratory Citizens Advisory Board, and the Sun Valley Culinary Institute, where he was co-founder.

Harry Griffith

Shari Preston is a professional sales executive with 20 + years experience in retail, healthcare and industrial sales. Her no nonsense management style and direct approach to problem solving along with her positive energy have been the cornerstones of her success.

Community service is one of Shari’s passion and joys. She has been very successful in helping many charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation raise significant and needed funds. She was awarded national recognition by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2014 for her fundraising efforts.

She studied Biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ, where she was a Presidential Scholar. 

You will often hear Shari use the word IMPACTFUL as it’s her goal to help and contribute in the most impactful way to those she encounters in her life and the community in which she resides.

Shari and her husband Paul, started splitting their time between Newport Beach, CA and the Wood River Valley in 2019 until their love of the valley made them full time residents in 2022. They have 3 grown children that reside in CA. Their children share the same love of the valley and hope someday to join their parents in residing in the valley.

Shari Preston

 

Born and raised in Idaho, Jack Prudek is proud to be a native Idahoan. Growing up on a ranch with a mother who cooked, canned, and baked ignited his passion for the culinary world. He continues to fuel that flame by traveling extensively with his wife Joy – sampling the finest food and wine from around the world. Jack is also an entrepreneur with business ventures in the farming, retail, and electrical contracting sectors. Jack has called the Wood River Valley his home since 2000. He enjoys skiing, bird hunting, the arts, and cooking – especially barbecuing.

Jack Prudek

Penny Gardiner loves food, wine, hosting a great event, and most of all – living in the Wood River Valley. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Penny lived in Seattle for over 30 years, and now resides in The Wood River Valley.

For almost 20 years in Seattle, her professional life was with Alaska Airlines. She advanced and grew within the company while managing projects, people, budgets, and more. Along the way, she became the expert in trade shows, travel agent functions, sales meetings, and then she found herself responsible for planning the annual company-wide meeting. She finished her career in Seattle with Z Special Events, a company that specializes in black tie auctions for non-profit organizations in the Seattle area.

Penny Gardiner

Paul Hineman is currently a Partner of the Revelry Group, a leading organization in the national food and beverage industry. Paul started his 30-year career in the hospitality industry with Planet Hollywood as an operations controller. Moving to senior financial roles at Cracker Barrel, Asurion, and IS Investments, Paul managed a wide variety of financial functions including budgeting, financial reporting, real estate investment, investor relations and tax.

Paul Hineman

Jill Gosden Pollock, a native of Los Angeles, CA, graduated with honors from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. She held senior positions with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Chicago, Toronto, Houston, Washington DC and Los Angeles, where her responsibilities ranged from operations to sales, marketing, and executive management. Jill is currently Principle of JG Designs, an event management firm based in Florida.

Jill gained additional experience in restaurant and club management as a director and committee member at private clubs including the Saddle & Cycle and Women’s Athletic Clubs in Chicago. Jill’s passion for the culinary arts was enhanced by attendance at the Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris and studying with Marcella Hazan in Venice.

Jill has served as a board member and officer of a number of philanthropic organizations including the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, the Latin School of Chicago, the Sun Valley Culinary Institute and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her activities on behalf of these organizations have included highly successful fundraising in excess of $1,000,000 per year. Jill and her husband Lee, live in West Palm Beach, FL and Sun Valley, ID where their children love to visit. 

Jill Gosden Pollock

 

Gary Hoffman practiced pediatrics in Las Vegas for 30 years after residency training and 4 years of USAF service. Quite active in volunteer work of many types including coming on board early with the SVCI. A long and abiding interest in food and community needs fostered that. Started a counseling program in the Blaine County Detention facility that he has carried over to the Mens Second Chance Living home. Lastly, his lifelong interest in theater as manifested in producing and directing through his own theater company has led to a deep and lasting relationship with the former NexStage Theater and now The Argyros Performing Arts Center.

Gary Hoffman