IOGA Staff and Board of Directors
IOGA Staff
Aaron Lieberman, Executive Director
As a lifelong outdoorsman and ~15+ year professional rafting and fishing guide here in Idaho, Aaron has a strong connection to—and passion for—IOGA’s Mission, which is grounded in a commitment to the enhancement of quality outdoor experiences with, and conservation of, Idaho’s lands, waters, and wildlife.
In his role with IOGA, Aaron advocates for and represents Idaho’s outfitters and guides interests and values—in the Idaho Statehouse, with State and Federal Agencies, and in the national political arena with our Congressional Delegation and Industry partners.
Aaron revels in exploring new wilderness landscapes and wild rivers, at home and abroad, and has guided and undertaken private kayaking/rafting trips in Chile, Peru, Nepal, and most recently, Kyrgyzstan. Besides rivers and the running of them, Aaron enjoys trips in the backcountry, reading and listening to audiobooks, playing music, and loving on his dog, Chetco.
Jessica McFarlane, Development & Events Manager
Jessica is a native Washingtonian now grateful to live in and enjoy the beautiful state of Idaho. A graduate of Western Washington University, Jessica’s career background is in small business administration, account management and operations management. She has enjoyed being involved in many facets of business, trade and nonprofit organizations in the Seattle area, including marketing, event planning, fundraising, account management and business development.
Jessica has also volunteered with a variety of organizations including Idaho Trails Association, Idaho Conservation League, the American Red Cross, Washington Trails Association, Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the IIDA (International Interior Design Association).
As mom to 3 active kids, Jessica spends a lot of her spare time on courts, fields, bodies of water and mountains cheering them on in a variety of sports and activities. Left to her own devices, Jessica loves to hike and walk, read, kayak, snow & water ski, and explore new places. She considers the guided adventures she has been on some of the best experiences of her life and is grateful to the outfitter industry for providing safe and sustainable wilderness access, education, and adventure.
Mark Martin, Salmon & Steelhead Coordinator
I was born and raised on an out-of-the-way edge of civilization in northern Maine. Long story short I ended up in Stanley, ID, where guiding river trips and flyfishing was originally supposed to be a temporary break from a fisheries management career path. It seems like trout, steelhead, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, etc. had other ideas.
I worked on Atlantic salmon conservation for several years in Maine before moving to Idaho, and saw firsthand the demise of a once-thriving anadromous fish at the hands of decades of environmental neglect and hydrosystem effects. The decline of Idaho steelhead and salmon was just a little too much deja vu. I’ve been advocating for free-flowing rivers (in particular the Lower Snake) and wild trout, salmon, steelhead for years as a guide, and taking that to another professional level with IOGA seems like a natural progression. Salmon recovery is one of the most important cultural and ecological issues facing our region, and I’m excited to work toward a holistic recovery on behalf of Idaho’s outfitters and guides.
IOGA Board of Directors
2023 Officers
President Jeff Bitton 2023
Vice President Erik Weiseth 2024
Treasurer Doug Rigby 2023
Vice President, Hunting Steve Sobotka 2024
Vice President, Rivers Ari Kotler 2023
Vice President, R.E.C. Colby Blair 2024
Vice President, Guides Steven Zettel 2023
2023 Board of Directors
Jerrod Farr 2023
Gia Randono 2023
Zach Crist 2023
Roy Akins 2024
Toby Wyatt 2024
Caleb Viano 2024
Skip Volpert 2022
Bekah Cain 2022
Skip Volpert 2025
Bekah Cain 2025
Lonnie Allen 2025
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Licensing Board
Chairman Brad Compton
Vice Chairman Louise Stark
Board Member Tammy Overacker
Board Member Erik Weiseth