• Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Idaho Delegation Completes Historic Trade Mission to Taiwan
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 12, 2026
Idaho Delegation Completes Historic Trade Mission to Taiwan, Advancing Semiconductor Workforce Development and International Business Partnerships
Multi-institutional delegation explores Taiwan's science park model, semiconductor workforce training, and entrepreneurial opportunities as Idaho celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Idaho–Taiwan Sister State relationship
Mission Overview
Led by Tracy Day, Business Development Specialist at the Idaho Department of Commerce, and coordinated by Eddie Yen, Director of the Idaho–Asia Trade Office in Taipei, the delegation included representatives from Idaho's leading universities, community colleges, manufacturing organizations, and technology sector. The mission was designed to build on the deep trade relationship between Idaho and Taiwan—Taiwan remains Idaho's second-largest export destination, with more than $504 million in goods exported in 2024.
Tracy Day, Idaho Department of Commerce
"Our mission to Taiwan was a standout success, fueled by an incredibly warm welcome and a genuine spirit of partnership. As the largest education-focused delegation to ever visit Taiwan, we brought together a dedicated group of professionals representing northern, southern, southwestern, and eastern Idaho. The synergy and collaboration across our statewide team were truly impressive, allowing us to see firsthand the rich opportunities for trade and semiconductor workforce development. This trip reinforced that when we work together across the entire state, Idaho and Taiwan have an incredible future of shared innovation and economic growth ahead."
Key Focus Areas
Semiconductor Workforce Development. A central objective of the mission was to understand how Taiwan trains its semiconductor workforce at scale. Delegation members visited universities with established Micron Taiwan partnerships—including National Chung Hsin University, Feng Chia University, and Minghsin University of Science and Technology—and toured the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute to observe how education, research, and manufacturing are integrated into a cohesive talent pipeline. Idaho's educators and workforce leaders brought these observations back as benchmarks for strengthening domestic programs, particularly as the state responds to growing demand driven by the CHIPS and Science Act.
Science Park Feasibility. The delegation explored Taiwan's model of science parks—integrated ecosystems that co-locate research institutions, semiconductor manufacturers, and supporting industries under a shared governance structure. Visits to the Hsinchu Science Park district, home to TSRI, ITRI, and the TSMC Museum of Innovation, provided the group with a firsthand understanding of how these parks operate. Discussions centered on the potential for replicating or adapting elements of this model in Idaho, evaluating land, infrastructure, institutional partnerships, and policy frameworks that could support such a development.
Gina Robison, Executive Director, Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA)
"This mission reinforces how critical alignment between industry, education, and workforce systems is to build a competitive semiconductor ecosystem. Seeing Taiwan's integrated approach—where manufacturers, universities, and government move in unison—gave us tangible models Idaho can learn from and adopt. For manufacturers across our state, these relationships translate into stronger talent pipelines, smarter infrastructure planning, and new opportunities to connect Idaho's supply chain to global partners."
Taiwanese Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the U.S. The mission engaged directly with organizations focused on Taiwanese business expansion into the United States, while identifying reciprocal opportunities for Idaho firms seeking to enter Asian markets. An introductory meeting with the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance of Launching America (TEALA) on Monday evening, followed by a visit to the Taoyuan Skyline Accelerator later in the week, highlighted the pipeline of entrepreneurs and suppliers already looking to establish U.S. operations. The visit to RayZher Enterprise—a Micron and TSMC supplier planning to open a Boise office in 2026—was a tangible example of this momentum, particularly in light of the recently announced Taiwanese $250 billion in U.S. manufacturing investment commitments.
Micron Taiwan Facility Tour. Delegation members Janine Rush-Byers and Kevin Phithak of Micron Technology facilitated a tour of Micron's Taichung operations on the first day of the mission, offering the group an inside look at global-scale semiconductor manufacturing and the workforce systems that support it. Micron has been the largest foreign employer in Taiwan since 2015 and manufactures DRAM at its Taiwan facilities. The visit reinforced the deep ties between Idaho's semiconductor industry and Taiwan's manufacturing base and highlighted opportunities for continued collaboration in training and talent development.
Government & Institutional Engagement. The delegation met with key Taiwanese government bodies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Ministry of Education—the latter hosted by Vice Minister K. W. Liu. These meetings addressed bilateral trade policy, semiconductor investment frameworks, and education-industry alignment. The delegation also visited the American Institute in Taiwan's commercial section to discuss U.S.–Taiwan trade corridors and Idaho's role in them.
Diane Temple, President & CEO, Idaho Technology Council
"Taiwan and Idaho are mission-aligned in growing healthy technology ecosystems. This mission gave us an opportunity to learn from Taiwan's proven semiconductor workforce models and establish a framework for sharing resources and best practices. The partnerships we've built this week will help both regions address critical tech talent needs while positioning Idaho as a strategic gateway for Taiwanese companies expanding into the U.S. market."
Janine Rush-Byers, Director of Global Strategic University Partnerships, Micron
"By visiting Micron’s Taichung operations, the delegation saw firsthand how deeply connected Idaho and Taiwan are in building the future of semiconductor innovation. Seeing the scale of manufacturing excellence in Taiwan—and the education and workforce systems that sustain it—reinforced the importance of our partnerships across universities, community colleges, industry, and the public sector. Everyone returned home with a renewed commitment to bridging our teams, ideas, and shared mission to grow the semiconductor workforce of tomorrow."
Meetings & Visits: Day-by-Day
The following table details each meeting, facility tour, and institutional visit conducted during the four-day mission.
Date Meetings & Visits
Monday, January 26
Taiwan Eastbound Alliance of Launching America (TEALA)
On the evening of their first full day, the delegation met with TEALA at the Taiwan World Trade Center in Taipei. Led by Edison Chen, CEO, the meeting introduced the delegation to TEALA's mission of supporting Taiwanese entrepreneurs and companies seeking to launch or expand operations in the United States—setting the stage for the later visit to the Taoyuan Skyline Accelerator.
Tuesday, January 27
Micron Taichung
The delegation opened the mission with a tour of Micron's Taichung fabrication operations, hosted by Micron representatives Janine Rush-Byers and Kevin Phithak. The visit included an introduction to Micron's Taiwan operations—the company has been the largest foreign employer in Taiwan since 2015—followed by a walkthrough of the A3 Fab Showroom and a presentation on Micron's university collaboration programs in Taiwan.
National Chung Hsin University (NCHU)
Delegation members visited NCHU, one of the Taiwanese universities with an established partnership with Micron Taiwan, to learn about their joint workforce development and research programs. The visit was led by Dr. Sam Sung, Dean of the Office of R&D.
Feng Chia University (FCU)
The group then toured Feng Chia University, another institution with active Micron Taiwan ties, meeting with Dr. Pei Liu, CIO of International Affairs, and Dr. Yu C. Liu, Director of the Office of Industry Collaboration and Extension, to discuss curriculum alignment with industry needs.
Wednesday, January 28
Semiconductor School, Minghsin University of Science and Technology
The delegation visited Minghsin's dedicated Semiconductor School, gaining a firsthand look at how a Taiwanese university structures an entire academic unit around semiconductor education. The visit was hosted by Dr. Li Chih-Hung, Dean and Vice President.
RayZher Enterprise
Delegation members met with RayZher, a company that provides piping installation and support services to both Micron Taiwan and TSMC. Notably, RayZher is planning to expand to Boise in 2026—an early signal of Taiwanese supplier interest in the Idaho semiconductor ecosystem.
Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI)
Located within the Hsinchu Science Park, TSRI provided the delegation with insight into Taiwan's centralized approach to semiconductor research and development and the role national research institutes play in sustaining the supply chain.
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
The group visited NTHU to explore its semiconductor-focused research programs and the university's role in producing the technical talent that supports Taiwan's chip industry.
Thursday, January 29
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)
The delegation met with Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the bilateral relationship between Idaho and Taiwan and the state-level opportunities for expanded collaboration in trade and technology.
Taoyuan Skyline Accelerator
The delegation visited the Taoyuan Skyline Accelerator, led by Ethan Huang, to see firsthand the startup infrastructure Taiwan has built to nurture companies with U.S. expansion ambitions. The accelerator showcased entrepreneurs and suppliers actively preparing to establish operations in the United States—directly relevant to the $250 billion U.S. manufacturing investment landscape.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
The delegation visited ITRI, one of Taiwan's premier national research bodies, to understand how government-funded research institutions support semiconductor innovation, workforce training, and industry-academia collaboration at scale.
TSMC Museum of Innovation
The group toured the TSMC Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu Science Park, gaining a historical and technological overview of TSMC's role in shaping the global chip industry.
Friday, January 30
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) – Commercial Section
The delegation began its final day with a meeting at the American Institute in Taiwan's commercial office, discussing U.S.–Taiwan trade corridors and opportunities for Idaho businesses and entrepreneurs.
Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)
The group met with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs to explore policy frameworks that support semiconductor industry investment and workforce development on both sides of the Pacific.
Ministry of Education (MOE)
Hosted by Vice Minister K. W. Liu, the delegation visited the Ministry of Education to discuss Taiwan's national approach to semiconductor education and training, and the potential for cross-border curriculum and student exchange initiatives.
Delegation Roster
The following Idaho leaders participated in the January 2026 Taiwan Trade Mission:
Organization Delegate(s)
Idaho Department of Commerce
Tracy Day, Business Development Specialist
Idaho Technology Council
Diane Temple, President & CEO
Micron Technology
Janine Rush-Byers, Director of Global Strategic University Partnerships
Kevin Phithak, Staff Program Manager, Strategic Workforce Strategies
Boise State University
Dr. Amy S. Fleischer, Dean of Engineering
Dr. Eric Jankowski, Director, Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering
Dr. Lan Li, Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
College of Southern Idaho
Brett William Madron, P.E., Senior Director of Workforce & Economic Development
College of Western Idaho
Robert T. Novak, Department Chair, Industrial Automation
Jillana Finnegan, Executive Director of Strategic Projects
Idaho Manufacturing Alliance
Gina Robison, Executive Director
Idaho State University
Dr. Jim Widmann, Dean, College of Science & Engineering
Gerald (Jerry) Anhorn, Dean, College of Technology
Dr. Steve C. Chiu, Professor & Chair, Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering
North Idaho College
Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation
University of Idaho
Dr. Gabriel Potirniche, Associate Dean, College of Engineering
Dr. John C. Shovic, Director, Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics
Looking Ahead
The Taiwan Trade Mission represents a significant step in Idaho's ongoing efforts to build a world-class semiconductor ecosystem. The insights gathered on workforce training, science park structures, and international entrepreneurship will inform state-level planning across education, economic development, and industry policy. Early signs—including RayZher's planned Boise expansion and the breadth of entrepreneurial interest surfaced through TEALA—suggest that the Idaho–Taiwan relationship is entering a new phase of active investment and collaboration. The Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho Technology Council will continue to work in partnership with Taiwan and other international partners to translate these learnings into actionable programs and investments for Idaho.
MEDIA CONTACT Diane Temple
President & CEO
Idaho Technology Council
diane@idahotechcouncil.org | (208) 344-8767
###
by Tim Munkres 12 May 2026
Introducing: Nate Amidon, CEO & President, Form100 Consulting Describe the business/organization you work for: Form100 Consulting is a specialized staffing and execution partner for technology leaders running complex programs. We embed top military talent into technology teams to deliver clarity, accountability, and predictable outcomes. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? I saw a gap in software development and technology program management in the industry. Programs were struggling to communicate, stay aligned, and deliver value. I wanted to match that need with an untapped talent pool of former military leaders who have experience leading in dynamic domains. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? We are not a traditional staffing and consulting firm. Most staffing firms provide capacity while most consultancies provide recommendations. Form100 Consulting is a specialized staffing firm that does both. We provide clients with leaders who have leadership training and experience gained in the military. They seamlessly integrate with our client's team, supported by extensive industry experience, a disciplined methodology and established systems. We work together as a team to drive alignment, clarity, and implement the right processes to deliver value. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? The market is crowded and getting your message out was a challenge. Finding the right type of clients and finding a way to communicate our unique value proposition took time...and a lot of effort. We just kept going, meeting more people, and trying to find ways to provide value. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Focus on delivery and make sure you exceed your client's expectations. We believe in servant leadership and take pride in partnering with our clients to do whatever is needed to drive value through the system. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Nate on LinkedIn HERE Check out Form100 Consulting HERE
by Rich Raimondi 23 April 2026
HP Boise’s incredible impact: How HP helped start the technology industry here in Idaho Boise, Idaho : While the company’s departure marks the end of an incredible era, the real credit and gratitude for HP’s success and lasting impact goes to its employees, writes - Rich Raimondi. Idaho Technology Council Founding Board Chair, 2024 ITC Hall of Fame Inductee Upon hearing of HP’s impending departure from Boise after 53 years, I, along with thousands of other former HP employees, were very saddened. We feel for the 1,100 current employees, their families and our community at large. We wish them all the best in determining what is next in their lives now that HP is closing down the site in 2027. But rather than dwell on feeling sad or angry, I would like to speak to and celebrate the incredible impact HP has had on Boise, the Treasure Valley and the state of Idaho over the past 53 years. In so many ways, we have been incredibly fortunate and blessed that HP chose to come to Boise in 1973. In reflecting on this and talking with former HP colleagues, I would cite five areas of impact HP had in its five decade history here in Boise. First, HP started the technology industry in Boise and Idaho. Without HP and Micron, which was founded four years later, there might not be a tech sector in Idaho. In addition to HP’s contributions, there is an Idaho tech ecosystem graphic that shows numerous companies that were founded by former HP employees, many of which grew to employ hundreds and helped shape entire industries. Companies like Extended Systems, Cradlepoint, ProClarity, White Cloud Analytics, Alturas and many others. Also, partly because of HP Boise’s success and the talent in the Boise area, other tech companies from throughout the west chose to move to Idaho. Finally, the impact over those five decades on the state GDP, employment and revenue base has been very significant. The second impact was the fact that HP brought thousands of talented people to Boise from across the country and the world. World-class business leaders, engineers, scientists and professionals in manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, finance and HR came to work for HP Boise. In particular, executives like Ray Smelek, Dick Hackborn, Don Curtis, Doug Carnahan, Rick Belluzzo, George Mulhern, Nor Rae Spohn, Cathy Lyons, Neil Martini, Carolyn Ticknor and Von Hansen all moved here to work for HP and made a significant impact by growing HP businesses and technologies — and employment — in Boise. They and hundreds of employees also made a difference in their communities by getting involved in nonprofits, universities and other businesses. They served on boards, on governmental task forces, as adjunct professors, as volunteers, and gave generously of their time, talent and treasure to numerous nonprofits. And, after they retired or left the company, most HP employees chose to remain living in Boise because they loved this community and the state of Idaho. My wife, Georgiann, and I were one of those who came in 1979 thinking we would be here for two to three years and then move back to Northern California where we were raised, our families lived and HP had large operations. But 47 years later, 30 of those with HP, we are still here. We, like so many others, found fulfilling careers, a wonderful community and chose to raise our family here. The third impact HP had was to provide thousands of jobs for Idahoans. People found fulfilling lifelong careers in a company that valued them and their contributions. Plus, Idaho university grads could stay at home and find challenging jobs and careers at a world-class company like HP. At its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, HP employed over 7,000 people at the Boise site. The fourth impact HP had was its special, unique and successful culture — “The HP Way.” The company was featured in books like “Good to Great,” largely because of the success of its culture which was embraced and lived by employees at all levels. The key elements of “The HP Way” were: 1) we have trust and respect for individuals; 2) we focus on a high level of achievement and contribution; 3) we conduct our business with uncompromising integrity; 4) we achieve our common objectives through teamwork; 5) we encourage flexibility and innovation. Also, HP practices like management by objectives, open door policies, management by walking around and profit-sharing were uncommon before HP. These values and practices impacted many other businesses and organizations in Idaho who developed similar cultures and practices. HP also provided leadership in areas that aligned with its core values, such as human rights. In the 1990s, HP established the Idaho Human Rights Award, in partnership with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, recognizing leaders in Idaho’s Treasure Valley who actively promoted respect, dignity, and human rights. Finally, the HP Boise team “saved HP” during a very turbulent time in the company’s history with the introduction of the first LaserJet printer in 1984. The LaserJet is often cited as the most successful product in HP’s long history and continues to be a cornerstone of HP’s business today. During LaserJet division reviews, HP Boise and the LaserJet product were called by various HP Board members and leaders “the lifeboat of HP” during the 1990s when all other parts of the company were struggling. It generated some 70% of the company’s profits and almost all of its growth for several years during that period. In summary, Boise, the state of Idaho and HP were blessed beyond all expectations by Ray Smelek’s recommendation in 1973 to HP’s founders, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, to establish an operation in Boise. While the company’s departure marks the end of an incredible era, the real credit and gratitude for HP’s success and lasting impact here in Boise goes to the tens of thousands of former and current HP employees who made such meaningful contributions to HP, HP Boise and the Boise community over the past 53 years. About Rich Raimondi Richard Raimondi spent 30 years at HP, 16 as a VP/SVP in several businesses inside HP. After retiring in 2008, he served as president of Bishop Kelly for 12 years. He currently serves on the boards of St. Luke’s Health System, LED, the Idaho Film Society, the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and the College of Idaho Advisory Council. He was the founding chair of the Idaho Technology Council from 2010-2015. Rich was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He graduated from Stanford University in 1974 with a BA in history and has an MBA from the University of Oregon. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub forinnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org .
by Tim Munkres 7 April 2026
Introducing: Kevin Phithak, Staff Program Manager/Workforce Strategies, Micron Technology Describe the business/organization you work for: Micron Technology is a world leader in innovating memory and storage solutions that accelerate the transformation of information into intelligence, inspiring the world to learn, communicate and advance faster than ever. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? Growing up, my dad worked at Micron, and some of my favorite memories were attending the company picnics. Those events offered a chance to connect with the community, enjoy great food and activities, and even tour the fab in a cleanroom suit. Experiencing that environment at a young age sparked my interest in technology and inspired me to pursue a career in a high?tech company. Today, both of my brothers and I are proud to be second?generation Micron team members. I truly value the diverse and meaningful challenges I get to work on here—especially the opportunity to inspire students to explore careers in our industry. It’s rewarding to contribute to work that has impact and helps shape the future talent pipeline. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? The semiconductor industry is a fast?paced, continuously evolving field that presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. It offers the chance to work with some of the most advanced and innovative technologies—capabilities you simply won’t encounter anywhere else. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? One of my biggest early challenges was developing a deep understanding of the CTE and community college programs that prepared students for technician roles. I needed to identify which schools offered relevant curricula, determine how their programs aligned with our team’s requirements, and figure out the best way to connect and build relationships with the right stakeholders. Much of this work involved navigating each institution’s structure to determine the appropriate point of contact—whether a department chair, dean, or career counselor. Through consistent outreach and experimentation with different engagement approaches, I ultimately created a reliable system for establishing those connections. After two years of focused effort, we have built a strong network of partner schools that now serve as a pipeline for technician talent. This foundation has significantly strengthened our ability to identify, engage, and recruit students into opportunities at Micron. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Maintain a growth mindset and remain open to continuous learning. Remember that a “no” is not the end of your path—it often simply redirects you toward new opportunities. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn HERE Check out Micron Technology HERE