Leadership

Meet the Team

Behind the scenes at the Idaho Youth Ranch, there’s a remarkable executive staff and board of directors—backed by a team of more than 400 employees statewide—with the passion, vision, and expertise to lead the charge of changing Idaho for the better, one kid at a time.

Executive Staff

Scott Curtis
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Scott is a values-based leader with a demonstrated passion for working with marginalized communities, especially young people. He served as vice president and chief advancement officer for the Treasure Valley YMCA from 2016 to 2018, and was a senior vice president there since 2013. Scott led Caldwell Family YMCA from 2005 to 2013, opening the branch and growing membership to 17,000 and overseeing a budget of more than $4 million. Before joining the Y, Scott was a school social worker in the Boise School District. He’s fluent in Spanish and holds a master’s of social work from Boise State University and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

scurtis@youthranch.org

Rick Alis
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Rick Alis oversees the organization’s human resource and legal departments as well as overall agency operations. Rick graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs with a degree in Political Science and served as a flight instructor and evaluator for the Air Force. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and held numerous positions in the legal sector including a prosecutor, legal counsel, civil litigator, and college instructor prior to joining the Idaho Youth Ranch in 2002 as human resources director and in-house counsel. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Rick considers himself a life-long, long-suffering Cubs fan.

ralis@youthranch.org

James Buckles
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

James is a visionary, senior-level nonprofit executive with extensive experience in board development, strategic planning, budgeting and finance, fundraising, mission delivery, marketing and public policy. He is a proven leader with 30+ years of experience in the nonprofit industry with a track record of achieving exemplary results through directing, organizing and coordinating volunteer and staff resources toward the achievement of aggressive goals and objectives in multiple markets. His most recent assignment prior to joining IYR was with The Salvation Army Southern California Division as their Divisional Director of Development. James led the day-to-day management duties, carrying out the goals and objectives of the division with an annual budget of $45M and a staff of twenty-five full-time professionals. He has a long track record of success having work for the Autism Society of Colorado, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in both Denver, CO and Charlotte, NC. He started his non-profit career in Albuquerque, NM with the American Cancer Society before moving on to Austin, TX with the American Heart Association. James attended the College of Santa Fe, a small Christian Brothers school located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While there, he participated in their collegiate athletic basketball program and graduated with a BA in Outdoor Education with an Emphasis on Recreation.

jbuckles@youthranch.org

José Valle

CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER

José is a seasoned Mental Health Professional, with 21 years of direct service and 15 years of management experience gained in the community, private and government sectors. Mostly recently, José served for 20 years as the Chief of Children’s Mental Health for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

In addition to his extensive management experience, José has extensive training in nearly every therapeutic modality offered by Idaho Youth Ranch. José attended Brigham Youth University in Utah, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Social Work.

jvalle@youthranch.org

Jeff Myers
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Jeff began his career with Procter & Gamble (P&G), the international consumer goods corporation. Jeff served as P&G's brand manager of beauty care when he left in 2002 to join the Meredith Corporation, a leading media, and marketing company. From 2010 to 2011, he served Meredith as vice president of E-commerce and digital and consumer marketing. Jeff holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Iowa. Since 2002, he has served on the university’s School of Management Advisory Council in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business.

jmyers@youthranch.org

Kim Thomas
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Kim Thomas oversees the organization’s accounting department.  Kim graduated from Boise State University with both a BBA and Master’s of Science in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.  Kim’s experience includes over 25 years working in accounting for both private and publicly traded companies including twenty years working in higher education in a variety of business roles.  Kim grew up in North Pole, Alaska and she enjoys the outdoors, including running, hiking, and most water sports. 

kthomas@youthranch.org

Rich Cline
VICE PRESIDENT OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Rich Cline has spent his entire business life in the retail business, so leading and serving teams is something Rich knows and enjoys. Rich spent 31 years at Chicago supermarket leader Jewel-Osco as a store manager, district manager, and Director.  He has also held key positions with Albertsons serving as a Regional VP and Sr. VP of Operations.  Rich also held key officer positions at Winn-Dixie, Pamida, and A&P in recent years. Rich earned his undergraduate degree in business from Elgin College in Illinois and his Masters of Business from Lake Forest Graduate School in Illinois.

rcline@youthranch.org

 Amy Evans
VICE PRESIDENT NORTH IDAHO

Amy Evans has been with Idaho Youth Ranch since 2013 and began her tenure at the organization as the Director of Development in Northern Idaho and oversaw fundraising including the organization’s annual gala Wine, Women, and Shoes. As the North Idaho Regional Director, Amy builds and strengthens relations with clients, customers, donors, and other community stakeholders, and provide services that are tailored to the specific needs and desires of the region and aligned with overall agency strategy, priorities, and capacity. In addition to her work at Idaho Youth Ranch, Amy also serves the Coeur d'Alene City Council. She brings that same enthusiasm and focus to the Coeur d’Alene City Council, a position she pursued because of her passion help shape a vibrant future. Amy is steadfast in her commitment to creating good jobs, supporting a top-rate educational system, and providing optimum recreational opportunities.

aevans@youthranch.org

Board of Directors