Franklin County is one of the four counties Molly Swallow-Beseris will assist in bringing economic growth to the region.
MALAD – Molly Swallow-Beseris was named the Executive Director of the Four County Alliance of Southeastern Idaho (FCASI) during their February board meeting, said Bob Christopherson, the chairman of the organization.
FCASI is a non-profit organization which promotes job creation, economic growth and sustainable growth, and improved standards in Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin and Oneida counties.
Swallow-Beseris will work with with businesses, universities, communities and the workforce in the four counties to improve the employment opportunities for the people in southeast Idaho.
“I am sure excited to be part of the FCASI,” Swallow-Beseris said. “I have 15 years commercial lending experience in southeast Idaho and I’ve spent the last five years working in community development. I worked two-plus years at South Eastern Idaho Council of Governments (SEICOG) in economic development and Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI) for about two years.”
She is planning to spend a lot of time on the road finding out the needs of the different communities in her assigned area.
“Getting to know each individual community and setting goals for development and growth is the first step,” she said. “I will be in their communities at least four times a week and plan to take care of the four counties and more specifically work with their communities.”
Swallow-Beseris is a Rotarian and sits on the Idaho State University Bengal Athletic Booster Board. She was recognized in 2015 by the Idaho State Journal as a Southeastern Idaho Professional of the Year.
Chairman Christopherson was very enthusiastic about hiring someone with her experience to run the organization.
“Molly comes with some great qualifications,” Christopherson said. “She is well educated, and she has worked in banking for Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG) and Housing Alliance & Community Partnerships.”
Vaughn Rasmussen, a County Commissioner in Bear Lake County, said he is happy Swallow-Beseris on board to improve the business outlook in Southeast Idaho.
“Right now, she will be working out of her home, but she will have an office in all four counties she represents to work in,” he said. “She is very knowledgeable about creating businesses and we feel like she is the right person for the job.”
Molly Swallow-Beseris replaced Kathy Ray who spent 15 years as the executive director of FCASI and retired in 2021.