We thought our readers/viewers might like to learn about some of the folks that work at IdahoPTV. Because there are so many people who work behind the scenes, you may have seen some of them, or maybe only heard about them. Today we would like to introduce Financial Specialist, Principal Rhonda Yadon.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres sat down with Rhonda who is one of our newer employees. She works in our Accounting Department. “I’m mostly doing financial reporting and researching government reporting standards,” she says. She’s also helping Idaho Public Television set budgets and assisting the finance team to keep those records straight. “I’ll likely play a key role in the implementation of the new statewide accounting system,” she says. Previously, Rhonda worked for another state agency, but this opportunity brought her here. “I wanted to come here because the position was more of what I enjoy doing,” she says. “I like the positive environment. It’s a really good financial team.”
Rhonda is a native Idahoan. She grew up in Twin Falls. She was born and raised in the same house. Growing up in the Magic Valley gave Rhonda an appreciation for the Idaho outdoors. “We did lots of camping and motorcycle riding,” she says. “A lot of fishing. I grew up in a family of police officers. We did a lot of target shooting, so I learned to like that, as well.” Rhonda started college at the College of Southern Idaho, but after a year, she transferred to Boise State University and earned her degree in accounting. “I met my husband at BSU,” she says. “We were in student government together. I was Assistant Treasurer. I did all the financial things for the student activities. My (future) husband hired me because he was the Senate Pro Tem for the students.” Rhonda and her husband, Randy, have two teenage boys.
A favorite activity of Rhonda’s is training dogs. “I competed in obedience in 4-H in high school. Before I had kids, I trained dogs for Search and Rescue in tracking, and I got my certification with the National Association of Search and Rescue as a SAR TECH II.” Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to keep a dog trained, and once Rhonda had kids, she gave that up. But since then, she’s continued her love of dogs, and has trained other dogs in pet therapy. “Labradoodles are really good tempered dogs,” she says. “They have the Lab friendliness and a little bit of Poodle smarts. They make a good therapy dog.”
When it’s time to grab a snack, Rhonda craves some sweet treats. “I really like maple bars,” she laughs. “It’s not very healthy. And I do like ice cream a lot, too.” And Rhonda picks the Sawtooths for her favorite spot in the Gem State. “Just the majesty of the Sawtooths, the hiking and fresh air, no matter what season it is. I don’t mind snow. It’s just pretty up there. That’s mainly where we went camping when I was a kid, too, by Galena Summit and the Stanley area.” These days they take their boys camping and four-wheeling in the Idaho outdoors. And, she still admits to having an adventurous side. “We’ve taken our road bike up there and have done the big Sun Valley to Stanley loop,” she says.” In case you’re wondering, they have a Victory Vision motorcycle, a touring bike.
One trip on their motorbike led to an encounter with a big celebrity. “One year on a motorcycle tour, we went to Glacier National Park and came back through Sun Valley,” she says. “We stopped in there and I got to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was shopping, and I got to meet him. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I got his autograph. He’s not as tall as you would think.” And Rhonda’s passion for going fast doesn’t stop with motorcycles. “I really like roller coasters,” she says. “My family is not so big on it, so I don’t get to go very much. And I like sky diving, too. I did sky diving once, out in Star, which I would love to do again.” She would even give bungee jumping a try, “…especially off the Perrine Bridge, since that’s where I’m from,” she says. “I love the canyon area.” And Rhonda and her family like to take in car shows around the Treasure Valley. “I love classic cars, especially muscle cars,” she adds.
Rhonda zeroed in on Curious George as her favorite PBS Kids character. “Both of my kids liked him,” she says. “We’ve got videos and books, too. Curious George was the common ground with my boys who are three years apart. So when they were both awake, Curious George was the one we could watch and not argue about.”