Jeffery Sayer to step down as director of the Department of Commerce

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced today that Jeffery Sayer, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce since October 2011, is stepping down at the end of the calendar year to pursue private business opportunities.

“We are losing a champion of collaborative economic development efforts that benefit all of Idaho. His innovations and improvements at Commerce – as well as the relationships he’s built with business leaders, legislators, chambers of commerce and economic development groups throughout the state – has given new meaning to ‘connecting the dots’ and bringing more and better career opportunities to Idaho,” Governor Otter said. “Jeff was the architect of the IGEM initiative, the Tax Reimbursement Incentive and other successful programs, as well as serving as chairman of my Leadership in Nuclear Energy Commission. He will be a tough act to follow, and he has my admiration and deepest thanks for his great service these past four years.”

Before accepting the Commerce job, Sayer was managing partner of Novayx Group, a business consultancy based in Idaho Falls. He previously was chief financial officer for Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls. The certified public accountant started his business career as an entrepreneurial specialist with Ernst & Young in the Silicon Valley, and then was engaged in various Utah-based technology, construction and financial services companies before settling in Idaho.

“It has truly been an honor serving the State of Idaho under Governor Otter’s leadership,” Sayer said. “I’m equally grateful to the Commerce team – some of the finest people I have ever worked with. I have worked hard to help Idaho move forward and will forever be thankful for the chance to serve in this role. I now look forward to reentering the private sector and contributing to Idaho’s future there.”