Julie Pipal, a well-known figure around the state capitol as the Idaho Transportation Department’s legislative liaison for the past five years, is the new legislative affairs director for the Boise Valley Economic Partnership, a regional economic development organization for the Boise metro area that includes, among others, the cities of Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, Eagle and Star, along with chambers, educational institutions and businesses, and focuses on attracting and retaining jobs. Paul Hiller, executive director, said Pipal will serve as a full-time lobbyist for the group during the state legislative session “to help insure that issues relating to economic growth in our region are fully communicated,” including transportation, workforce development, infrastructure funding and education.

Pipal was manager of the Office of Budget, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations for ITD for the past five years, and before that was the public information officer for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Said Hiller, “With Julie’s 13 years experience in the legislative process, she will bring a wealth of knowledge about local and national legislation as well as a solid understanding of policy development and issues management.”

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