Laurie Thomas

Board President

Laurie is the Chief Deputy Treasurer for Kootenai County. She is on the Governor’s Coordinating Council for Families and Children and has been very involved with Parent Teacher Organizations, is a Humanities Council volunteer and a Past President of the NIC Alumni Assoc. Laurie has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since March 2007.

Tom Cronin

Vice President

Tom retired from the Chicago Police Dept. after a very successful 31 yr. career. In June 2000, Tom was selected as the Police Chief for the City of Coeur d’Alene and in 2003 was hired to organize the Police and Justice Departments for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Tom is on the Public Policy Committee for the Cd’A Chamber of Commerce, he’s a member of the Cd’A Rotary Club, he’s on the Board of the Cd’A Summer Theater, a member of the NIC Boosters Club and has served on the Boards of the United Way and the Women’s Center. Tom has been a CASA volunteer since May of 2007 and has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since November 2008.

Sholeh Patrick

Board Secretary

Sholeh has been a columnist for the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls Press since 2002. She is an attorney and freelance writer, former state lobbyist and congressional staff member. Sholeh has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since March 2008.

Tony Berns

Board Treasurer

Tony is the Executive Director of the Lake City Development Corporation, Coeur d’Alene’s redevelopment agency. Tony graduated from the University of Idaho and worked in the forest products industry for 20 years prior to his return to Idaho in 2001. Tony is a member of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club, a member of several Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce committees, a board member of the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, and a member of the Kroc Community Center Advisory Board. Tony has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since March 2004.

Priscilla Bell

Board Member

Priscilla is the President of North Idaho College with more than 30 years in higher education administration. She serves as a member of the boards of directors for the North Idaho College Foundation, Opera Coeur d’Alene and Jobs Plus, the economic development corporation serving Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County. Priscilla is an active member of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club.

Teri Farr

Board Member

Teri came to Coeur d’Alene as Kootenai Health’s Vice President of Community Development in 2000.
She is responsible for providing strategic direction for the medical center’s communications and community programs, and serves as the Foundation’s Executive Director. She is a member of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Board of Directors, past board member for the Cd’A Chamber of Commerce, served on the Leadership Cd’A advisory board and chaired the Chamber Health Committee. Teri led the formation of the first CASA program in Wyoming in 1991. She provides fundraising council to help local nonprofits achieve success. She holds the credential Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

Denny Hague

Board Member

Denny is a native of Coeur d’Alene. He was a fighter pilot serving our country in Viet Nam. After completing his active duty in the military, he remained active in the Air Force National Guard and successfully completed his career as a Major General. Denny was a commercial pilot for Pan American Airlines and had a successful career in the insurance industry. Denny is a member of the Cd’A Rotary Club and a past member of the Board of Trustees for NIC. Denny has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since July 2002 and served as the President from 2003 – 2006.

Samm Haight

Board Member

Samm retired from a successful career with Bank of America; her last position was as the Personnel Manager for the Electronic Banking Division. Samm was an active member of the Bank’s Youth Job Program. Samm is currently the Office manager for her husband’s Architectural business. Samm has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since May 2004 and served as the President from 2006 – 2007.

Linda Norton

Board Member

Linda and her husband have owned and managed a successful trucking firm and have retired here in Coeur d’Alene. Linda is a member of several Arts and Theater boards and serves on the Policy committee for these organizations. Linda is our newest CASA Board member joining us in November 2008.

Cathy Shortridge

Board Member

Cathy has been a part of the downtown business community since 1991 and currently owns the Painter’s Chair Fine Art Gallery. Cathy is a member of the Women’s Gift Alliance and helps with various fundraising committees for the Women’s Shelter, Ronald McDonald House and I Care. She has been a mentor for juveniles working with the Kootenai County Youth Chaplain and volunteers weekly at the Legends Retirement home. Cathy has been a member of the CASA Board of Directors since May 2008.