Bio's

Jared Fuhriman
Jared Fuhriman
Mayor

Jared D. Fuhriman was elected to his first term as Mayor of Idaho Falls in 2005. Prior to this position, he served in the Idaho Falls Police Department for 18 years where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Jared has been married to his wife, Karen for 24 years and they have 7 children. He is a devoted husband and involved father as well as a faithful community leader. Through his experience in his personal life, professional career, and civic service, Jared has learned that by working together almost anything is possible.
 
 
Ida Hardcastle

Ida Hardcastle
Council President

Liaison: Human Resources; Parks & Recreation; Planning, Zoning & Building; and Public Safety (Fire)

Ida Hardcastle is in her fifth term as a City Council member.

Council member Hardcastle has lived in Idaho Falls since 1964, having moved from Salt Lake City, Utah where she was raised and educated. She is married to Larry Hardcastle, a retired nuclear engineer. They are the parents of three children: Lloyd, Adrienne, and Amy, and have 16 grandchildren.

She is a homemaker and an active volunteer in the schools, her church, and the community. Her community volunteer efforts have included PTA's, library trustee and board member for the United Way, Development Workshop, CASA, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, The Museum of Idaho and the Chamber of Commerce, and she served as the Fourth of July Chair for many years.

Mike Lehto

Mike Lehto
Council Member

Liaison: Idaho Falls Power, Public Works and BMPO

 

Mike Lehto was elected to the City Council in November, 1999.

Karen Cornwell
Karen Cornwell
Council Member
Liaison: Airport, Public Safety and TRPTA
 
Karen Cornwell was elected in November 2005. This is her first time in the political arena. She and her husband Gerry, a real estate executive for Voigt Davis Realtors, have lived in Idaho Falls for 19 years. Their son Kevin lives in Houston, Texas. Cornwell is a grandmother to two Shih Tzu puppies.
 
Cornwell worked in the local television market for about 8 years and for the past five years has been the Executive Director of the United Way of Idaho Falls & Bonneville County. Before moving to Idaho Falls she held the same position in Lewiston, ID for 8 years. Her interest in volunteerism shows in the community service what she has been involved in since becoming a city resident. Just a few of the non profits Cornwell has been, or is, involved with are; Idaho Falls Rotary Club, Colonial Theater Campaign, Zoological Society, Development Workshop, Symphony Board, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Easter Idaho Technical College Foundation Board, and member of the Affordable Housing Task Force. She has also received several awards for her service; Volunteer of the Year - Salvation Army, Woman of Distinction -Zonta, Outstanding Woman in Private Industry - Chamber of Comerce, Paul Harris Fellow & President of the Idaho Falls Rotary, and identified as one of the Most Influential Women in Idaho Falls by Idaho Falls Magazine.
 
Cornwell is looking forward to the next four years serving the community that she loves. 
Kenneth G. Taylor

Kenneth G. Taylor
Council Member

Liaison: Municipal Services, Public Safety (Fire and Police) and Library

 

Ken has lived in Idaho Falls most of his life. A graduate of Idaho Falls High School, he has a Law Enforcement degree from Brigham Young University. Ken also is a graduate of the Utah Police Academy. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Accounting, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Idaho State University. A Certified Public Accountant, Ken serves as owner/president of the Idaho Falls accounting firm of Taylor & Company PC.

Service rendered in the past include: President of the Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants, President of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, President/Board Member of the Development Workshop Foundation, and President of the Idaho Falls Estate Planning Council. Ken has also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Idaho Falls Public Library and as United Way Campaign Chairman in 1984 and 2004. Ken is also a past Co-Chair for the Post Register Community Advisory Board.

Ken and his wife, Karma, are the parents of eight children. They have 27 grandchildren.

In his spare time, Ken enjoys hiking, camping and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Thomas Hally
Thomas Hally
Council Member
Liaison: Human Resources, Idaho Falls Power, Parks & Recreation, Public Works and BMPO

Council member Hally was born and raised in Idaho.  His wife and four children moved to Idaho Falls in 1979.  He has managed the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the State Board of Education since 1978 in Region Six.  His four children were all graduates of Idaho Falls High School.  His late wife Deanne was watercolorist who was well known throughout the region.  He is a Rotarian and serves on boards that support opportunities for persons with disabilities. 

He attended Gonzaga University and Idaho State University and received his Master of Arts in Education from Idaho State University in 1971.  He is a graduate of The Academy for Executive Leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 1993.  He has served on the Governor's Commission for Substance Abuse for four years.
 
Sharon Parry
Sharon D. Parry
Council Member
Liaison: Planning & Building, Municipal Services and BMPO

Sharon D. Parry has been a councilmember since November 20, 2007. Sharon and her husband, Steven R. Parry, moved to Idaho Falls in 1991, after Sharon received her master's degree and Steve finished his masters and J.D. Degrees. Steve and Sharon have three children.
 
Sharon served on several city commissions and committees prior to being elected to the council, including: City Planning and Zoning for 7 years, County P & Z for 2 years, City Traffic Safety Committee, City Police Federal Grants Committee, and City Parks and Recreation Commission. Past Service also includes three terms on the District 91 School Board (9 years), NW Regional Education Laboratory Board of Directors in Portland for 5 years, president of Bonneville County Republican Women, and Bonneville County American Cancer Society President. Sharon currently serves on the EITC Foundation Board and EIRMC's Board of Directors.
 
During her first term, she is focusing on the city's economy; convention and tourism opportunities including gateway commercial and residential beautification; tourism campaigns; and promoting the arts as well as outdoor recreation in our region.