New alumni relations leader named at University of Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho (KIFI) — Vandal alumna and Idaho non-profit leader Amy Lientz joins the University of Idaho as assistant vice president for alumni relations, effective Monday, April 11.

Lientz will lead the Office of Alumni Relations and administer the U of I Alumni Association, which has more than 111,000 members worldwide.

She replaces Kathy Barnard, who retired from the position in December, having served the university for 19 years during her career.

Leitz has more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including project management, strategic planning, public affairs and public policy. Lientz is currently senior director of supply chain energy programs for Battelle Energy Alliance at Idaho National Laboratory. The north Idaho native earned a master’s degree in industrial technology from U of I and remained an enthusiastic U of I volunteer and partner for many years.

“I believe in education; I believe in our students, and I believe in the goals of the university,” Lientz said. “This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of that and I’m driven to inspire alumni and others to be part of that, too.”

Her volunteer service goes beyond U of I and has helped make an impact throughout Idaho. Those activities include Idaho Public Television, Idaho Technology Council, Idaho Falls City Club, The Nature Conservancy in Idaho and Idaho Business for Education.

“Throughout her career, Amy has focused on bringing people together to reach shared goals,” U of I President Scott Green said. “She’s a Vandal through and through, and her varied experience will benefit the worldwide Vandal Family and the state of Idaho.”