Type Of Business:
Waste Management Company
Marketing Area:
Benewah County, ID
Major Product/SVS:
Waste Management including Recycling of Wood and Metal Products
Hobbies/Sports:
Creating Scrap Metal Art, Canoeing, Making Gourd Bird Houses, Writing Poetry
Education Degrees:
Associate Degree in Physics, Carl Sandburg College, Magna Cum Laude (1985)
Affiliations Awards:
Theta Alpha Chapter, University of Washington, Delta Delta Delta Fraternity; National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare; Sierra Club; NAMI
Industry:
Waste Management Services
Children's Names:
Jeffrey (Deceased), Leigha, Cassandra
Work History:
Civil Service Commission, Washington, District of Columbia; Disaster Loan Duty, SBA; Program Manager Assistant, TESH Industries, North Idaho; Work Source Coordinator, Federal WIA Legislation, State of Washington; Rock Picker, Riley Creek Lumber Co., Laclede, ID
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Ms. Gokee's caring nature toward people from all walks of life and her unconditional love for others separate her from her peers.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Ms. Gokee's greatest career achievement was the recognition she received for being the person having the 'Most Unusual Career.'
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
Ms. Gokee would like to be remembered by her peers as a person who would walk across the fire for them.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
Ms. Gokee would like to stop wars.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
Ms. Gokee would like to have lunch with her son, Jeffrey, because she misses him so much.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspects of her career are offering financial support for family members and various charities and maintaining meaningful relationships with former clients, friends and community leaders.
Charity:
Benewah County Humane Society; Benewah County Recycling Committee; Benewah Family Violence Center; St. Maries Art Council Events; St. Maries Paul Bunyan Days Committee; Elks Lodge #1418; Auxiliary #2012, Fraternal Order of Eagles; North Shore Animal League America; The Compassionate Friends; Fundraiser, The Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Arbor Day Foundation
Number Of Years In Profession:
41
Number Of Years In Current Position:
2
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her integrity and dedication, the support she receives from her partner, William Beach, her education and to the inspiration she received from her mentor, late Dr. Herbert Priestly.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession through a natural progression of opportunities.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. Gokee and partner, William Beach, supported a community effort to establish a recycling program where none existed in Benewah County, Idaho. The committee was successful in engaging the local high school welding class, led by Mr. Milt Turley, to adapt the trailer and provide bins to recycle newspaper, cardboard, tin, glass and some plastics. The committee, led by Ashley McFarland, University of Idaho Extension educator, along with USDA Forest Service employees and other community leaders spearheaded a community effort to publicize recycling goals and educate the local school children and general public. The dedication ceremony occurred on August 28, 2009. With the community help from local commissioners, a site was donated for the trailer and arrangements to haul the trailer when full to a Moscow, Idaho center some 60 miles southwest of Saint Maries. In addition to the above coordinated efforts, their personal efforts have afforded BG LLC & RA Mrod Metal Artworks to expand project to recycle precious building materials and scrap metal. A 30 x 36 metal shop building is in progress and will house equipment and storage for recycled metal and wood. Subsequent to receiving a social security disability retirement, Ms. Gokee continues to work as a substitute teacher for St. Maries School District 41 and pursues entrepreneurial opportunities in recycling and waste management.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Overseeing Administrative Duties including Finance
Awards/Honors:
Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, Small Business Development Center, North Idaho (2005); Donor of the Year Award (2009): Award, Help Hospitalized Veterans; Award, Boys Town