Idaho
One of America's 'fastest-growing companies' is in eastern Idaho, and it's celebrating 10 years of business – East Idaho News
Brandon Griffin designing an animated video course at Stukent in Idaho Falls. See how it works in the video above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com
Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BUZZ
IDAHO FALLS
Local company that makes digital courseware for students turns 10
IDAHO FALLS – After building one of Inc 5000’s “fastest-growing private companies in America,” Stuart Draper is looking forward to the next phase of life.
The 40-year-old Idaho Falls man stepped down as CEO of Stukent earlier this year. It’s a company he started in 2014 to make sure schools and universities had access to updated textbooks.
A decade later, it’s served more than a million students worldwide.
Stukent provides digital courseware content for about 1,000 universities and high schools. From a 25,000-square-foot building at 1755 International Way in Idaho Falls, about 175 employees work with professors to provide 45 online courses. Most of them revolve around business topics. Two of the most popular courses are digital marketing and social media marketing.
The business continues to grow and evolve after being listed among the nation’s fastest-growing companies for the last six years, and 2024 marks 10 years since its launch. The community is invited to celebrate this milestone on Thursday with a tour and open house of its new building.
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Jim Holm was hired as Stukent’s new CEO in February. He’s impressed with everything Draper and his team accomplished, and he’s eager to build on that vision.
“It’s been fun to see the great thing that’s been built. I wasn’t here for the journey that got us here, but I have an interesting perspective on where we’re at now,” Holm says.
The company’s claim to fame is its simternship model. It’s a 10-week digital simulation for students to practice hands-on skills in the workplace. Brandon Griffin is one of the videographers who creates this content. Get a taste of how it’s made in the video above.
Holm says many students aren’t coming out of college with relevant real-world experience and this simulation gives them the ability to compete in the job market after graduation.
“Focusing on the skills you need as a first-time employee with two years of experience is critical in order to help students with the transition from education into employment,” says Holm.
Holm previously worked for a Boston-based company called Examity, which provides remote proctoring services for universities so students can take exams anywhere in the world instead of going to the testing center.
He met the investment team for Stukent in Utah last year. Realizing how similar the customer base was, Holm was interested in being involved.
“Education technology is a relatively small world, but this is completely different from what I’ve done previously,” Holm explains.
After 10 years of putting everything he had into building Stukent, Draper says he wanted to have more time with his family.
Still, Draper is the company’s second-largest shareholder and remains on its board of directors as he pursues other business interests.
What he’s most proud of during his tenure is seeing the positive impact his company had on the lives of employees.
“We’ve helped over 100 people buy and sell homes through their income from Stukent. For the majority of them, it was their first home purchase. So the work we’ve done with our startup has really had an impact on the local economy,” Draper says.
He expresses gratitude for every team member who played a role in getting the business to this point, and he’s eager to see what Holm does with it.
“I’m really excited to watch Jim take it to the next level,” says Draper.
Holm says they’re working with Jim and Earl Stice, two emeritus accounting professors from Brigham Young University, to build new courses in this field of study.
Holm says the overall goal is to make the software more immersive to “close the gap” between traditional learning and digital simulations so that students “have a leg up” in the job market after they graduate.
“We’re really proud of our heritage of being in eastern Idaho. We love it here and the work ethic of the team members and the creativity they bring,” he says.
Thursday’s tour and open house will begin with a ribbon-cutting of the new building. It begins at 4:30 p.m. Food, drinks and family activities will be provided.
BIZ BITS
Portneuf Primary Care celebrating a decade of business
POCATELLO – Portneuf Primary Care is in its 10th year of delivering high-quality, individualized care to the community.
Services include examinations, health screenings, immunizations, treatment of short and long-term medical conditions, ongoing care of chronic problems, lab work and palliative care.
The team of physicians bring expertise and a personal investment in the education and treatment of their patients.
“It is an honor to commemorate the remarkable 10-year anniversary of the Portneuf Primary Care Clinic and this team of providers,” said Jordan Herget, CEO and President, Portneuf Medical Center. “Please join me in thanking this team for providing exceptional patient care and for their ongoing dedication to improving the health and well-being of our community.”
To schedule an appointment with Portneuf Primary Care, call (208) 239-3815. For an appointment with Specialized Family Medicine, call (208) 269-7147.
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Idaho
Boise National Forest campgrounds expected to be open by Memorial Day weekend • Idaho Capital Sun
Boise National Forest officials project most developed campgrounds and rental cabins will be open by Memorial Day weekend.
Recreation staff are inspecting facilities, testing water, removing hazard trees and cleaning sites to ensure public safety at over 70 developed campgrounds in the forest, according to a U.S. Forest Service press release.
Key takeaways from the Explore Act, one of the largest outdoor recreation bills ever
A list of developed campground projected date openings can be found on the Boise National Forest’s website. About half of the campgrounds can be reserved by visiting the Recreation.gov website.
Cartwright Ridge and Shady Pines (formally Antelope Annex) campgrounds, located near Sage Hen Reservoir, will be closed beginning May 28 through the rest of the year due to reconstruction. Work will include new roadways, vault toilets, furniture, signage and relocating infrastructure to better accommodate camping trailers. The four other Forest Service campgrounds surrounding Sage Hen Reservoir area will remain open, according to the release.
Forest visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare by bringing extra food, water and warm clothing.
“Be prepared to pack out your trash and strive to leave no trace. Tell a friend where you are going and when you will be back as many areas of the forest have no reliable cell phone coverage,” the press release said.
Other safety tips for accessing public lands can be found at Recreate Responsibly Idaho.
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Idaho
Obituary for Lillis Wing Jobe – East Idaho News
Lillis Wing Jobe, age 79, of Idaho Falls Idaho, passed way peacefully at Teton Healthcare of Cascadia on May 3, 2024.
Lillis was born December 31, 1944, in Idaho Falls Idaho, a daughter to LeRay and Gertrude Birch Bruckhart. Lillis attended and graduated from High School and continued her education into getting an Associate’s Degree.
She then married William Crossley and later divorced and found her way to Richard Jobe. She was a Register Nurse in the NICU at Riverside Hospital and followed onto retirement homes. She lived in multiple areas such as San Fransisco California, Salt Lake City Utah. Idaho falls Idaho, Grant Idaho, and Blackfoot Idaho.
Lillis was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also participated on a bowling team. She enjoyed crosswords, ranching, puzzles, knitting, sewing, cards, golf, and horseback riding.
Lillis is survived by her daughters Carrie (Michael) Flitton, Tawna Mortensen, Martha (David) Roller, Jolene Case, Charity (Justin) Noe, and Paula Jobe. Sons Michael Crossley, Christopher Jobe, David Jobe, Robert Drinkard, and Waylen Jobe, and 13 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son Kelly Jobe, Parents LeRay Bruckhart and Gertrude Birch Williams. Her siblings Karen Bowers, Kay Birch, Beth Birch, and Leroy Wing. Grandparents John Peter Birch, and Bertha Vilate Thompson. Great-grandparents George Washington Birch, Josephine Evelina Malmberg, James Medad Thompson, and Polly Vilate Davis.
Services will be held Monday, May 13, 2024 at Eckersell Memorial Chapel. The family will visit with friends and family at 2:00pm with a Funeral at 3:00pm. With an Interment at Rigby Pioneer Cemetery to follow.
Idaho
This One Hike May be Idaho's Most Popular Summer Activity
For those who love the outdoors and everything it has to offer this Boise hike is perfect for you. The weather is getting colder so going on a hike this time of year feels great! It’s not too cold and it’s not too hot anymore so being adventurous is both fun and healthy.
Table Rock is one of the most well-known Boise hikes and it’s definitely for a reason. While it hurts to work your way up it is extremely rewarding once you get to the top. The hike is just a little over 3 miles, 1.5 miles to the top and 1.5 miles back to the bottom. This hike is great for families to go on and doesn’t require any expertise. It’s great for anyone who wants to get outside and be active before the snow starts to come. Grab your running shoes, your water bottle, and even your furry friends, and get to this hike for spring!
Table Rock Hike
One of Boise’s best hikes.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
The trail is a little rigid composed of rocks and dirt so it’s smart to keep your eyes on the trail while you are there. The way up is not too steep with the biggest climb being at the end but for the most part, even if you aren’t active this should still be manageable for you! The whole way up you have a great view of Boise and the mountains so even your water breaks will be joined with a view.
The way down is not bad either with only a few steep declines as long as you are going slow and steady you will be perfectly okay. As you go down it even helps to zig-zag down the trail just to be safe.
The best part is being at the top of the hike. The view is great and there’s even a giant cross at the very top! Table Rock has benches for you to sit and take a breather before you make your way back down again and just take in all of Boise below you. The pictures are amazing and you can see everything from downtown Boise to Boise State University!
Boise Spring Bucket List
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
10 Easy Spring Hikes in the Boise Area with Breathtaking Views
Gallery Credit: Parker Kane
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