Chip has been our Chief Executive Officer since March of 2017. Schwarze is a graduate of Brigham Young University–Idaho. He has a strong background in the administration of large volunteer organizations, fundraising, business to business sales, sales management, finance, and entrepreneurship. He most recently worked as a district director for the Boy Scouts of America in Olympia, Washington, where he was the lead administrator for three districts covering all of Southwestern Washington. Schwarze has a passion for protecting and advocating for businesses in Eastern Idaho. He is active with the Idaho legislature and fights for business rights. He and his wife have five grown children and two grandchildren.

Lois has been our Business Operations Manager since June of 2019. Previously, Lois had been our Program and Events Manager since February of 2018. Lois earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Lois has a background in relationship building and coordination of successful teams. Her work experience includes project management, planning and logistics, volunteer coordination, human resources, marketing, customer service, and business management. She is a longtime resident of Idaho Falls having moved from New York in 1985. Lois has been involved in and supported the community through church, school, and other volunteer activities. Lois and her husband, Shurl, have five children and eight grandchildren and enjoy spending time with family and fishing the South Fork.

Jen has been our Visitors Center Manager since August of 2021. She comes to us with over 12 years of customer service experience, small business, and retail management. Jen moved to Eastern Idaho in 2012 with her husband, three teenage boys, and fur babies. She enjoys bringing unique gifts into the shop and looks forward to helping visitors experience Eastern Idaho to the fullest. Idaho Falls is where great adventure begins and she feels that everyone who steps foot in this area is about to have a great adventure of their own! In her spare time, she enjoys being with family, reading, crafting, and upcycling junk into beautiful functional pieces – you can even find some of these pieces in the Visitors Center.

Stacy has been our Program and Events Coordinator since November of 2019. She comes to us with over 30 years of small business experience – working with everything from hospitality management to the boutique wine industry. Stacy loves being involved with the community and watching it thrive. She is outgoing, people-oriented, and is always willing to lend a hand. Together with her husband, they share six grown children, one grandchild, and two beautiful dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys running, camping, and exploring all that Eastern Idaho has to offer.

Shayley has been our Marketing and Communications Coordinator since August of 2021. She graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications and Public Relations. During her time at ISU, Shayley was involved in various leadership rolls on the student activities board, new student orientation team, and as a peer advisor. Currently, Shayley serves on the board of directors for the District 91 Education Foundation. Shayley has a passion for helping others in our community, she is service-oriented and loves to see those around her florish. She and her husband have one child, who is the center of their world. As a family, they enjoy spending time in the moutains camping and RZR riding.