The Leadership
Trusted messengers and tested leaders spanning our great state.
Cortney Liddiard
CEO Ball Ventures
Cortney Liddiard is passionate about developing connected communities. As Chief Executive Officer of Ball Ventures for over twenty years, he has led investments in commercial real estate and private equity projects to improve quality of life for communities across the country. In addition to his work at Ball Ventures, Mr. Liddiard serves on the board of directors for several companies, including Blue Cross of Idaho and Texas Security Bank,. Mr. Liddiard is actively engaged in local, state and regional politics to champion bi-partisan, common-sense causes through Idaho Leaders United. He was one of four state leaders appointed by Governor Brad Little to the state economic advisory council.
Mr. Liddiard’s personal commitment to leveraging economic development and the political process for the benefit of communities began in his early career working in U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch’s Washington, D.C. office and it continues in many capacities throughout Idaho today. Cortney stepped forward to be a part of Idaho Leaders United because he recognizes that extremism and political violence pose a threat to the moral and economic viability of our communities. “People and organizations who sow hate and discord threaten the very foundations of our constitutional republic. Businesses can’t operate effectively when extremism takes hold in our communities.”
Gary Raney
Ada County Sheriff, retired
GAR Consulting
Gary Raney served the people of Ada County in the Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years, including the last 10 as the elected sheriff. He became nationally recognized for his agency’s innovation, use of data-driven decision-making and organizational culture. Since retiring as sheriff in 2015, Gary has become a national expert in reforming law enforcement agency policies and practices.
For Gary, Idaho Leaders United is the next step in defending and strengthening the Idaho he knows and loves. “Our country is built on respect for each other and the rule of law. Extremists who encourage political violence undermine the constitutional principles that make America great. There can be no safe harbor for those attitudes or activities in Idaho.”
Bill Shawver
Brigadier General
Idaho Air National Guard, retired
Bill Shawver has dedicated his professional life in service of his country and community. Bill was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Academy of Military Science in 1985. He went on to serve in the military for more than 3 decades, retiring as the commander of the Idaho Air National Guard.
In addition to his military service, Bill served as the director of the Bureau of Homeland Security for the State of Idaho as well as in corporate communications for private sector clients. Bill believes Idaho Leaders United is especially needed in the current political and cultural climate. “Security and safety begins in our communities - with how we treat each other. We must speak up against bigotry and political violence to ensure Idaho is a safe and welcoming community for all.”
Odette Bolano
President and Chief Executive Officer
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
Odette was born in Bogotá, Columbia and her family immigrated to the United States when she was a young girl. In between Bogotá and Boise, she built a career in healthcare starting with becoming a Registered Nurse and then moving into healthcare administration after completing her Masters in Healthcare Administration She then took on a range of management positions and became a CEO at the age of 33, for the first time at a hospital in Dallas, Texas. Odette is passionate about Catholic health care and is proud to lead the four Saint Alphonsus facilities in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Idaho Leaders United presents an opportunity for Odette to advocate for the values that the Saint Alphonsus system holds itself to. “We are joining in this effort to speak up for those who may be targeted by hate and political violence. Saint Alphonsus explicitly embraces a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.”
Doug Gross
Gross Farms, Wilder, Idaho
Born in Caldwell and raised in Wilder, Doug Gross has deep roots in the Idaho and Canyon County communities. During the course of his long career in Idaho’s agricultural sector, Doug has built Gross Farms into a storied contributor to Idaho’s potato industry. Together with his wife, Mary, and a dedicated staff, they raise approximately 45 million pounds of processed and fresh potatoes each year.
Doug’s service to his community has included Board positions with the Idaho Potato Commission and the University of Idaho Vandal Foundation. He also served as a precinct committeeman on the Canyon County Republican Central Committee. He joined Idaho Leaders United because he believes we must protect the Idaho way of life - hard work, respect for each other, and a commitment to serve our communities. “Growing extremism and political violence concerns me. It’s not how we built Idaho into a great place to work and start a family. We need to get back to civil discourse as we take on tough issues.”
Dr. Tommy Ahlquist
CEO BVA Development
A self-described serial entrepreneur, Tommy first tried his hand at business as a teenager. While running several companies, Tommy worked his way through medical school at the University of Utah and residency at the University of Arizona in emergency medicine. Tommy went on to practice as a full-time ER doctor for 18 years, treating over 45,000 patients over the course of his medical career. Today, as CEO of BVA Development, he leads a preeminent commercial real estate firm in the Mountain West.
Tommy is passionate about Idaho and making sure it remains a wonderful place for generations of his family to grow and prosper. “For Idaho to thrive, we need people and institutions who are interested in solving real problems, not manufacturing chaos. I’m honored to step forward with this team to speak out against extremism and stand up for the majority of Idahoans who reject political violence and bigotry.”
