Our Team
Our Team
Laurie Bauer
Laurie Bauer is the Transportation Program Manager for the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments. Laurie grew up in Missoula, MT, but has called Pocatello home for the past 15 years.
Laurie has 3 teenage children, two cats and an amazing and supportive partner who she enjoys taking drives with, spending time with the family, learning disc golf, biking and hiking.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; laurie.bauer@sicog.org
Mark Blanscett
Mark Blanscett is the Revolving Fund Loan Officer at SICOG. He uses his business acumen and knowledge to help small businesses in Southeast Idaho acquire loan funding, so they can grow and thrive.
Mark is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully grown five businesses to maturity across various industries. He has previously developed a 19-lot, high-end community in St. George, Utah. As an avid real-estate investor, he has participated in ownership of CRE in AZ & CA and multi-family projects in SE Idaho. He previously held several securities and investment licenses.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; mark.blanscett@sicog.org
Andrea DeMartinis
Andrea DeMartinis is the Community Development Specialist for SICOG.
In her personal time, she enjoys exploring and looking for adventures, you will find her volunteering for community events, taking weekend trips, or spending time with her children.
Contact: (208) 233-43535; andrea.demartinis@sicog.org
Krystal Denney
Krystal Denney is SICOG’s Interim Executive Director. Krystal is responsible for the oversight of the Community Development team, ongoing and developing projects, and guiding the strategic direction of the Community Development Division.
Krystal believes in creating sustainable infrastructure in communities beginning with the “big picture”. She often says, “The best time to plant a tree is when you don’t need shade.” Over the course of her career, she has been integral is securing over $20 Million of grants for infrastructure in rural communities in Southeast Idaho.
Outside of work you’ll find Krystal at a baseball game, volunteering, or enjoying quality time at home with her family.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; krystal.denney@sicog.org
Shiela Eriksen
Shiela Eriksen is the Internal Audit Specialist for SICOG.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; shiela.eriksen@sicog.org
Matthew Harvey
Matthew Harvey is the Office Manager for SICOG. Born in England, he brings a pleasant smile and some classic English charm to the day-to-day proceedings of the SICOG office.
As Office Manager he works to ensure the smooth daily operations of various aspects of office life, and strives to assist his colleagues be successful in their endeavors.
When not at work, Matthew can be found spending time with family, playing games, or reading an enthralling Discworld novel.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; matthew.harvey@sicog.org
Mike Hirschi
Mike Hirschi is the Director of Fiscal Operations for SICOG, he has been at part of the SICOG team since 2012.
Mike has been in the aging network since he was 15 years old. Before joining SICOG, he spent 23 years working at a skilled nursing facility in Pocatello, 7 years as the licensed nursing home administrator at the facility. Mike has a passion for empowering and supporting the independence, safety, dignity, and quality of life of older adults, persons with disabilities and family caregivers in our region.
He enjoys biking, hiking and being the favorite uncle Michael to his nephews and nieces.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; mike.hirschi@sicog.org
Kalene Howell
Kalene Howell is the Safe Routes to School Coordinator at the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG). She partners with schools and cities across the region to promote safe walking and biking and to support environments that protect students on their routes to school. Her work includes coordinating community walk audits and helping advance projects that improve safety and accessibility.
Kalene is passionate about helping people gain access to the information, education, and tools they need to live healthier, safer lives. With a background in Public Health and Health Communication, she focuses on practical solutions that address the root causes of community challenges.
Outside of work, Kalene enjoys exercising, gardening, cooking, and baking. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and grandkids.
Contact: (208) 233-4535 | kalene.howell@sicog.org
Steven McArthur
Steven McArthur is the Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator for the SICOG.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; steven.mcarthur@sicog.org
Julia Loyola Miller
Julia Loyola Miller is the Natural Resources Coordinator for SICOG.
She was born and raised in Teton Valley with her parents, Ann and Wood, who spent years working in environmental and wildlife preservation. The love of the planet and local government spurred Julia to get their bachelor’s in political science at Idaho State University.
She loves learning about our local communities and the world we live in and has been grateful to serve them since March 2026. Julia enjoys spending her free time with her partner, Cal, and their siblings Andrew, Lizzy, and Ellie.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; julia.miller@sicog.org
Charity Staggs
“Not all those who wander are lost.” ~Tolkien.
Charity Staggs is the Regional Services Manager for SICOG. She is a believer in hard work, resourcefulness, and resilience. She wandered as a musician throughout high school and college, where she performed in many incredible communities with incredible hardships.
During her adventures, she gained a deep desire to cultivate solutions. In 2019, she started work at SICOG as the front desk receptionist. Her strong beliefs earned her a place among the Community Development Team as a Grant Writer in 2020 and Administrator in 2021 where she consistently seeks and attains resources to help strengthen communities by becoming more resilient and resourceful.
Charity still wanders as a part time musician today, keeping up her creative muscles, meeting new communities, and finding new ways to help them.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; charity.staggs@sicog.org
Danae Zepeda
Danae Zepeda is the Community and Human Resources Assistant. She assists the Community and Economic Development Department and the Portneuf Water and Soil District in grant writing and community outreach, as well as being the main Human Resources representative at SICOG.
Originally from Southern California, Danae made Idaho her new home in the Fall of 2021 and joined the SICOG team in May 2023. She has 18 years Human Resources and Payroll experience and has embarked in the grant writing world. What Danae loves most about her role is how rewarding it is, both in-house and out in the community. A “thank you for what you do” goes a long way!
In her spare time, Danae enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, camping, kayaking, going for a nice country drive, and enjoying the day at a nice winery.
Contact: (208) 233-4535; danae.zepeda@sicog.org