Formerly Vice President of Human Resources at the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI), Teresa represented the business community at the Idaho legislature and at state agencies and departments on issues ranging from unemployment insurance, employer liability, health care, workers’ compensation, and education.  After IACI, Teresa joined the Boise law firm of Elam & Burke, P.A., where she focused her practice on governmental affairs and public policy. Later, Teresa served as Director of Government Relations at Centra Consulting, Inc., where she represented clients on issues involving natural gas, transportation, tax policy, and mining.

As a full-time participant in the Idaho political process, Teresa has acquired considerable experience in drafting and lobbying legislation, legislative advocacy, and administrative rulemaking.  She has also developed strong working relationships with members of the legislature, the Idaho congressional delegation, agency officials, and other legislative advisors.  She is known and respected by members of the Idaho business community and has a commendable history of building coalitions between public and private sector interests.

Teresa has been invited to serve on various boards, including the Idaho Hall of Fame Board of Directors, the Center for the Study of Aging Advisory Board at Boise State University, the Board of Directors at Heritage Academy in Jerome, Idaho, and the Board of Directors of the Idaho Council on Industry and the Environment. She is a founding member of the Idaho Alzheimer’s Planning Group and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho.

A Boise native, Teresa earned bachelor’s degrees in English and theatre from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law.  She is a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity and is licensed to practice in Idaho state and federal courts.