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Jack Combo –
Farewell to a gentlemen and a friend

Leaders in Idaho’s transportation community united for two hours Thursday to honor the achievements and contributions of retired Idaho Transportation Board member Jack Combo. The guest list included former Gov. Cecil D. Andrus and past ITD directors, representatives of the Federal Highway Administration, ITD employees, and a strong and supportive family. Two of Combo’s children participated via teleconference.

The two-hour event included a formal program and a procession of well-wishers who thanked Combo for 18 years of service on the board. He retired in January after serving six terms, representing District 6 (Rigby) and the entire state. He will be known for his compassion, reason and strong business sense.

Gov. Andrus first appointed Combo to the transportation board in 1990. The Idaho Falls attorney was reappointed in 1996 by Gov. Phil Batt and in 2002 by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. He served with 13 different board members, four permanent directors and four acting directors and was chairman of the board from 1991 to 1995.

Among his accomplishments during that 18-year tenure were:

Initiated effort to include Stanley Airport near the Sawtooth Wilderness Area into the state’s airport network
Instrumental to bringing new interchange and Snake River Bridge to rapidly growing Idaho Falls metropolitan area
Initiated creation of John Sessions Memorial Overlook to honor an Idaho legislator who worked to improve Idaho’s transportation system
Helped create the Centennial Bike Trail, preserving public access to Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. The preservation effort received an award from the Federal Highway Administration
Served on the Idaho Transportation Board and assisted in the transition from three members to seven members
Served on the board when it approved Idaho’s largest infrastructure construction program – the GARVEE Program – using innovative bond financing based on future federal funds

The Idaho Transportation Board and ITD’s employees extend their deepest appreciation and warmest wishes to Mr. Combo.