Breakfast Series

The Idaho Business Review hosts five discussions throughout the year which feature a panel of experts that will cover timely, relevant business issues.

All Breakfast Series events feature a continental breakfast and are held at the Grove Hotel in Downtown Boise, 245 S. Capitol Boulevard. Each session begins at 8 a.m. with the discussion starting at 8:30 a.m. and lasting roughly one hour.

A story summarizing each Breakfast Series discussion appears in the Idaho Business Review.

2023 Breakfast Series Schedule

Upcoming Breakfast Series Events

June 6, 2023: Transportation
The Grove Hotel
245 Capitol Blvd.
8:00 a.m.

The state of transportation in Idaho will define what life will be like here in the near future. Will our roads and highways be gridlocked? Will our bridges fall into disrepair? What will traveling through the Gem State be like in 10 years?

These are among the questions we’ll tackle at IBR’s June Breakfast Series, where a panel of experts will discuss the economic impact of our transportation infrastructure, how the cities and rural communities face different challenges and opportunities, and how a proposal to bring commuter rail service to the metro area could be a game changer. Don’t miss this vital discussion at our next Breakfast Series panel on June 6.

MODERATOR

Steve Frinsko, Hawley Troxell

Steve Frinsko is the business practice group leader and member of the firm’s business and real estate law practice groups. He is also a member of the board of partners. His practice focuses on all aspects of business and real estate law, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate compliance, entity formation and governance, commercial transactions, intellectual property licensing, antitrust compliance, and insurance. His M&A experience includes transactions involving both public and private companies, and his current client base covers the gamut from startups to long-established national companies.

Before joining Hawley Troxell, Steve spent five years as in-house counsel for Packaging Corporation of America, a Fortune 500 manufacturer of corrugated containers, office paper, and other paper and protective packaging products. As in-house counsel, he provided legal counsel to all aspects of PCA’s business, from procuring raw material inputs for the company’s paper mills to supplying finished goods to its customers. This included negotiating with manufacturers and suppliers of goods and services, licensing software and other intellectual property and agreements with customers.

PANELISTS

Elain Clegg, CEO Valley Regional Transit

As the CEO of Valley Regional Transit (VRT), Elaine provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Treasure Valley’s regional public transportation authority. Born and raised in Idaho, Elaine lives in Boise’s North End with her husband. She loves the Treasure Valley, and she’s excited about the opportunity to help create, connect, and move a vibrant, attractive region.

Chris Williges, Economic and Statistics Director, HDR

Chris Williges is the director of HDR’s economics advisory practice. He has more than 30 years of experience conducting transportation planning, economics, engineering, and strategic assignments for public and private sector clients. Chris has used and overseen the development of a wide range of analysis tools, such as revenue forecasting tools, regional economic models, benefit-cost and financial models, travel demand models, traffic simulation models, and asset management systems. Recently, Chris has focused on conducting benefit-cost analyses, incorporating wider economic impacts, and estimating changes to economic productivity.

Rebecca Hupp, CEO Boise Airport

Rebecca Hupp has served as the Boise Airport Director for over a decade. Under her leadership the airport has experienced a period of unprecedented growth—both in the number of nonstop routes offered and in the number of passengers served, which has nearly doubled during her tenure. This exponential growth in passenger traffic led to BOI’s reclassification as a medium hub airport in 2021. Director Hupp’s passion for building strong teams, her constant pursuit of excellence, and focus on service to others and community guide her as she leads long-term planning and development of the airport in one of the fastest growing states in the country.

Seth Olsen, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Innovative Geotechnical

Seth Olsen is a senior geotechnical engineer at Innovate Geotechnical. He currently is privileged to chair the Boise Metro Chamber – Transportation Committee. He has worked in the transportation industry his entire career and helped prepare the 2012 and 2018 ASCE Report Card for Idaho’s Infrastructure. He lives in Boise and he and his wife try, and usually fail, to keep up with their 4 kids.