J. Kirk Sullivan was an Idaho Republican Party chairman and lobbyist.

J. Kirk Sullivan
Chair of the Idaho Republican Party
In office
June 2004 – June 2008
Preceded byJohn Sandy
Succeeded byNorm Semanko
Personal details
Born(1935-08-25)August 25, 1935
Greenwood, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedApril 2, 2020(2020-04-02) (aged 84)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseGeorge Akerlof
EducationClemson University (BS, MS, PhD)

Personal life

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Sullivan and his wife had two children and three grandchildren.[citation needed]

Originally from South Carolina, Sullivan attended Clemson University, where he earned a Ph.D. & M.S. in chemistry.[1] He also attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Program for Senior Executives.[citation needed]

Career

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Sullivan was a member of U.S. Army Reserves. He worked for a mining company, FMC Corp., has an engineer, technical superintendent, and marketing manager for 13 years.[citation needed]

Sullivan has served on the Commission for the Future of Clemson, the Clemson University College of Engineering and Science Philanthropic Development Leadership Committee and on the chemistry department's advisory board. He is also a member of Clemson's prestigious Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists.[1]

Sullivan started to work at Boise Cascade Co. in 1971 and rose to the position of vice president for governmental and environmental affairs in 1981 and retired in 1998.[2]

Sullivan earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2005.[3]

On May 23, 2007, Saint Alphonsus Foundation recognized Sullivan with its 2007 Distinguished Citizen Award.[citation needed]

Political career

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In 1996 Sullivan tried to become University of Idaho President but failed.[2]

Sullivan and Greg Casey founded Veritas Advisors in 1999, a lobbying, political campaigns, communications, issue advocacy, and business and association management group.[1]

Sullivan was the head of Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and dealt with mostly Governmental & Environmental Affairs. He earned the Pat K. Harwood Award in 1997 from the group.[4]

Idaho Republican Party Chair

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Sullivan was first elected has state chair in 2004.[5] Was defeated for reelection in 2008 by Norm Semanko.[6] He dealt with making Idaho Republican Party a closed primary.[7] China Veldhouse Gum (2004)[8] and Jayson Ronk (2006-2007)[9][10] served as executive director during his term as chair.

Community involvement

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Sullivan served on the oversight board for the Public Employment Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) from first being appointed in 1996. He was scheduled to continue to serve till July 1, 2021.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "About". www.veritasadvisor.com. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  2. ^ a b "Lobbyist's Pursuit Of UI Job Worries Academia Boise Cascade Corporate Executive Has 'Considerable Political Influence'". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  3. ^ "Congressional Record". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  4. ^ Industry, Idaho Association of Commerce &. "Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry > IACI Home > About Us > Pat K. Harwood Award". iaci.org. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  5. ^ "Idaho Republican chairman will step down". The Lewiston Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  6. ^ Curless, Erica F. (15 June 2008). "Idaho GOP gets new leadership for election season". The Spokesman-Review.
  7. ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (12 January 2008). "Bill would close Idaho primaries". The Spokesman-Review.
  8. ^ "Rivervue Middle School, Caldwell". prezi.com. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
  9. ^ Fisher, Sharon (2016-07-06). "Jayson Ronk, state government affairs director, Micron Technology Inc. in Boise". Idaho Business Review. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
  10. ^ Director of Idaho Republican Party becomes new Idaho Association of Commerc…[full citation needed]
  11. ^ "Retirement Board - PERSI (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho)". persi.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Idaho Republican Party
June 2004 - June 2008
Succeeded by