President's Update - January 2026
Posted by [email protected] on Jan. 9, 2026 / Mountain District Executive Update / Subscribe 0
Happy New Year, Mountain District! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and took time to rest and recharge and reflect on all that you accomplished in 2025. As we step into 2026, I think of the hard work and experiences that have shaped the Mountain District. We have come a long way since 2020. Now, as we begin our seventh year as a District, we are a more mature and accomplished community, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings.
One of our goals last year was drafting and adopting a Culture Statement for the Mountain District (read it here). As the committee met to develop this statement, I felt such a sense of pride and gratitude for words like: Connection. Lasting traditions. Inclusion. And they aren’t just words – they truly reflect the spirit of this organization and professionals who make it special. While we strive for innovation and technical excellence, it’s our relationships and shared experiences that set us apart. We are better together!
2025 was a successful year for the District, and I would like to thank Chris Sobie for his leadership as President. I also wish to recognize International Director Ben Waldman, Past President David Lucas, Section Representatives Darlene Yellowhair (AZ), Cody Luper (IA), and Ati Abad (NV), Advertising Chair Kordel Braley, Communications Chair Melissa Gende, and LAC Chair Jonathan Kruse. Thank you all for your service!
As we kick-off 2026, please join me in welcoming our new leaders for 2026: International Director Danielle Scharff, District Secretary-Treasurer Kordel Braley, Section Representatives Denise Baker (AZ), Brett Kohring (ID), and Christina Richter (NV), Advertising Chair Dillon McClain, and LAC Chairs Ellie Volosin and David Lucas. I’m so excited to work with you all and look forward to the new ideas and experiences you will bring to keep our momentum strong in 2026.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunities we have to come, especially the 2026 Mountain District Annual Meeting, which will be held at the High Country Conference Center, June 10-12, 2026. Check out the Top 10 Reasons to Attend the 2026 Annual Meeting! Also, Sponsorship and Exhibitor Registration are now open, and hotel reservations and attendee registration will be available soon. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. In conjunction with the Annual Meeting, the Northern Arizona University will be hosting the Mountain District Student Leadership Summit! I hope you can join us in Flagstaff and encourage you to also stay involved with your local section and find ways to contribute to the success of our professional community.
I am so excited to serve as your Mountain District President this year. Let’s make 2026 a year of collaboration, growth, and progress. I hope to see you in Flagstaff in June!
-Lindsay Saner, 2026 ITE Mountain District President
As my term as Mountain District President comes to a close, I want to offer a sincere thank you to the many volunteers, leaders, and members who make this District what it is. Serving in this role has reinforced what I already believed about the ITE Mountain District: the strength of our organization is not in titles or committees, but in people who consistently show up, contribute thoughtfully, and care about advancing both the profession and one another. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated group over the past year.
I am especially grateful to the District Board, Section and Chapter leaders, committee chairs, and volunteers who carried the real weight of the work. Your professionalism, responsiveness, and willingness to step up make the District stronger and allow us to continue building momentum across technical programming, leadership development, and member engagement. I also want to thank those who reached out with ideas, feedback, or simply a willingness to help. Those conversations matter and shape the direction of our efforts more than you may realize.
As I transition into the Past President role, I do so with confidence in the leadership ahead and optimism for where the Mountain District is going. I look forward to continuing to support the District, staying engaged, and supporting the next group of leaders as they build on what has been started. Thank you again for the trust, collaboration, and camaraderie. It has truly been an honor to serve.
-Chris Sobie, 2025 ITE Mountain District President
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