About Tom

Making latah county a better place

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Tom’s Story

Tom Lamar has served as Latah County Commissioner since January 2015 after being elected in 2014, and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. He was chosen by Commissioners of both parties to serve in the leadership role as the Board’s chair.

Since 1990, Lamar has been the executive director of Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI), a broad-based conservation organization and 26.2 acre Nature Center based in Moscow. In that role he has worked with many Latah County landowners on stream restoration projects. He is a founding member of the Latah Trail Foundation, and taught Conservation Leadership for 6 years at the University of Idaho.

Lamar holds a master’s degree from Washington State University and a bachelor’s from the University of Delaware. He lives in Moscow. He helped raise three talented daughters, all of whom graduated from Moscow High School and are alumni of the University of Idaho.

Current Roles

Latah County Commissioner, District II, 2015–present.

Vice-Chair of the District II Behavioral Health Board

Secretary of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor

Latah County Liaison to the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee

Respected Leader

Four City Commission Appointments by Mayors Paul Agidius, Marshall Comstock, and Nancy Chaney
Two Idaho Commission Appointments by Governors Phil Batt and Dirk Kempthorne
UI, Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology Advisory Board, 2002-2005
Moscow Chamber Government Affairs Committee
Moscow Chamber Entrances Committee
UI Enrichment Program Advisory Board

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More About Tom

“I am working to foster growth in Latah County that results in well-paying jobs and thriving communities where our children choose to stay and have the opportunity to raise families. I am proud to serve as your commissioner on ‘Team Latah,’ setting the gold standard among counties of Idaho.”

Lamar previously served seven years as a Moscow City Council member. Lamar has recently served as chair of the five county North Central region of the Idaho Association of Counties, chosen by other elected officials from Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, Idaho, and Latah Counties. He currently serves as the vice-chair of the North Central Idaho Behavioral Health Board, and the secretary of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor. He is the county liaison to the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, and the Latah County Historical Society. Former USDA Secretary Perdue appointed Lamar to the USFS North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).

Name

Thomas C. Lamar

family

Raised 3 daughters in Moscow

LATAH COUNTY RESIDENT

38 years

HOMETOWN

Wilmington, DE

OCCUPATION

Latah County Commissioner
Executive Director | PCEI

EDUCATION

M.S., Environmental Science,
Washington State University
B.A., Biology/Anthropology,
University of Delaware

FAVORITE ACTIVITIES

Biking, swimming, running, gardening, camping

Fun fact

Has been on bike tours in five countries.

Experienced Decision Maker

Moscow City Council Member, 2007- 2015
Commissioner, Moscow’s Urban Renewal Agency (promoting economic development) 2009–2013
Served on various selection committees for city staff members and independent contractors, and has served as acting Mayor
Moscow Transportation Commission member (9 yrs)
Vice-President, Latah Trail Foundation (14 yrs)
Idaho Carbon Sequestration Commission member (Governor appointee)
1912 Center Mayor’s Task Force
Mountain View Road Task Force
Liaison to Clearwater RC&D
Latah County Commissioner since 2015

Integral Part of Latah County

Raised 3 incredible daughters in Moscow
Executive Director of PCEI, Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) (32 yrs)
UI Instructor of Conservation Leadership, Dept. of Conservation Social Sciences (6 yrs)
Moscow Food Co-op member (38 yrs)
Moscow Chamber of Commerce member (29 yrs)
Pullman Chamber of Commerce member (28 yrs)
Idaho GEMStars Coordinating Committee
Moscow Chinook Masters Swimming treasurer (23 yrs)
League of Women Voters member
Latah County Historical Society member
Hamilton Lowe Aquatic Center campaign member
University of Idaho Biosafety Committee, 2003
Moscow Downtown Revitalization Committee, 2000-2001
Valley Transit board member, 2003-2006
Served as a council liaison to these citizen commissions: Human Rights Commission, Tree Commission, Arts Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Fair and Affordable Housing Commission, Paradise Path Task Force