Executive Director's Notebook: Idaho Gov. Otter brings deep knowledge, humor to Western issues

By Jim Ogsbury

To speak with Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, you would think that he’s lived a half-dozen different lives. He can go long and deep on just about any subject you throw at him and has a funny anecdote to go with his insights on whatever topic that's being addressed.

Gov. Otter has been a rancher, academic, military serviceman, businessman and U.S. Congressman. He’s been elected twice as Governor of the great state of Idaho and served as Lieutenant Governor longer than anyone in the state’s history.

Predictably, Gov. Otter brought his quick wit and a fully loaded arsenal of stories with him to a recent Western Governors’ Association sponsor luncheon in Boise.

The Governor discussed a host of issues – including health care, energy and public lands – before turning his attention to WGA membership. The Governor, a former WGA chairman and tireless promoter of the association, explained to the assembled sponsors that he extracts more value from WGA than any other association to which he belongs as governor.

I have learned that the Governor is an effective advocate for causes in which he believes – like holding the WGA Winter Meeting in Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo in December. The Governor has lobbied on behalf of that proposal since our first meeting, noting that nothing is more Western than competitive rodeo.  He makes a compelling case; consequently, I look forward to seeing him Dec. 11-12 for this year’s WGA Winter Meeting at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

By the way, meeting registration is open. I hope to see you there as well. 

Jim Ogsbury is the Executive Director of the Western Governors' Association. Contact him at 303-623-9378 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.