Introducing: Mike Mallon, Founder & Fractional CIO, HimalAlan, LLC Describe the business/organization you work for: HimalAIan LLC is a Meridian, Idaho startup building CrAIg™, enterprise middleware that governs AI activity across multiple systems. As companies deploy more AI agents, those agents increasingly step on each other's decisions without anyone noticing until real damage is done. CrAIg detects those conflicts before they execute and gives leaders a way to see and stop the cost before it lands. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? After 20+ years in enterprise technology leadership, including serving as CIO for a major West Coast seafood distributor, I saw the gap firsthand: every AI tool a company adopts is built to optimize its own corner of the business, but nothing is built to watch the space between them. That gap is where real financial exposure hides, and I started HimalAIan to close it. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? Most AI governance tools compete with the AI systems already in place. CrAIg doesn't. Our positioning is "Not competing. Completing." We sit in the space between existing systems and catch the collisions no single tool is built to see. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? The biggest challenge has been building everything solo. Engineering, fundraising, patent strategy, business development, all of it, at once, without a team to share the load. I've overcome it the same way I'd tell any operator to handle a hard problem: break it into pieces that can each be moved forward independently, prioritize ruthlessly, and use every relationship and resource available rather than trying to do it all in isolation. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Don't wait for the market to hand you permission. If you've spent years watching a problem from the inside, the way I watched it from my experience in enterprise systems and technology, trust that domain knowledge enough to act on it. The technical build is hard, but it's rarely the hardest part. The harder part is staying in motion on funding, partnerships, and structure every single day, even when the feedback is slow or silent. 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 Mike on LinkedIn HERE Check out HimalAlan, LLC HERE

Protecting Yourself from Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Imposter Scams – Tips from KeyBank

Introducing: Jeanne Allen, QA Engineer II, Destination Pet Describe the business/organization you work for: Destination Pet is a company that provides pet services like boarding, daycare, house sitting, and dog walking and grooming. I work on the Yourgi app, which is the online portal for booking appointments for your pets. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? I decided to work for Destination Pet because the team there is incredible, and I felt like I could make a difference and help the company grow. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? They really care about their customers and try to make every pet service something to remember. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? Working for a tech startup can be hard because the infrastructure isn't set up for development. I enjoy helping set up this infrastructure, so I'm working with the team to make their processes more efficient and enhance communication across teams. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Be curious and excited to learn. With QA, software development, and devops, there's so much to learn, and being curious is an essential part of the job. 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 Jeanne on LinkedIn HERE Check out Destination Pet HERE

Two-day summit at the College of Southern Idaho unites regional leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators around the theme Tech Powered. Community Led. — marking the Idaho Technology Council's first major event in South Central Idaho.

Introducing: Brett Madron, Sr Director of Workforce Development, CSI Describe the business/organization you work for: College of Southern Idaho Workforce Development and Training helps people and businesses build real-world skills that lead to real opportunities. As part of the College of Southern Idaho, the team works closely with employers to offer hands-on training, customized programs, and apprenticeships across areas like manufacturing, healthcare, trades, safety, technology, and professional development. Whether you’re an individual looking to grow your career or a company building your workforce, CSI offers practical, local training designed to meet today’s workforce needs right here in the Magic Valley. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? Joining the CSI Workforce Development and Training department was a meaningful homecoming. My wife and I were both born and raised in Twin Falls, and as a graduate of both the College of Southern Idaho and the University of Idaho, returning to serve this community was always a goal of mine. With both of our families here, the timing was finally right to move home. After spending a brief period working remotely as a data analyst and strategic partner for Idaho Forest Group, the opportunity to lead CSI’s Workforce Development Department opened, and I jumped on board. This role allows me to apply my education and experience in engineering and manufacturing to help other companies grow and be successful. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? What sets CSI Workforce Development and Training apart is its deep connection to industry and real-world operations. My background in local food processing, lumber production, and semiconductor manufacturing brings a practical, firsthand perspective to workforce training. Having worked inside these environments—including advanced manufacturing and high-tech operations—I understand the challenges companies face as they modernize and adopt new technologies. That experience allows CSI to serve as more than a training provider; we act as a strategic partner, helping local employers upskill their workforce in ways that are practical, relevant, and aligned with where their industries are headed. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? The challenges I’ve experienced leading the Workforce Development Department at CSI have been minimal, largely because I inherited a strong team with a clear, well-defined mission. As a lifelong learner and non-traditional student, I deeply value a broad and applied education, and that perspective shapes how I approach this work. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside exceptional tradespeople, engineers, and organizational leaders, learning something valuable from each of them. It’s especially rewarding to now help others recognize the importance of lifelong learning across all disciplines and to see how continued education can open new doors for individuals and strengthen the workforce as a whole. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? For anyone considering a career in higher education or workforce development, my advice is to focus on the impact. The most meaningful rewards come from seeing people grow—watching an apprentice walk across the stage to cheers and tears, or seeing someone return to their job with new skills, greater confidence, and access to higher responsibility and pay. Helping individuals advance in their careers and lives is incredibly fulfilling, and it’s a constant reminder that this work truly matters. 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 Brett on LinkedIn HERE Check out College of Southern Idaho HERE