Eanes Selected as IECA’s Director of Education
With 25 years of experience in training and development at the corporate and association level, and as owner of his own educational consulting business, Jimmy Eanes, CPESC, CESSWI, and CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), brings a variety of perspectives to his role as IECA’s director of education.
Eanes, who assumed the position this past August, oversees development and delivery of the association’s various training programs—from the annual Environmental Connection professional development courses and in-house training activities to IECA’s Bookstore and Webinars.
A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Eanes earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in music at Piedmont College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in education at Dallas Seminary in Texas.
“I’m an education geek,” he says. “When I was young, I really wanted to get involved in education and work with people.”
His first professional job in the mid-1980s was working with Interstate Batteries to provide training and development instruction for employees. Eanes went on to work with several other companies in developing their employee education programs before becoming education project manager for Young President’s Organization in the mid-1990s.
Following that job, Eanes established JE & Associates, based in Dallas, Texas, in 2001. His company helped corporations and associations in the United States with their educational programs. “In addition to developing content, providing the instruction, and managing the education process for clients, we also managed training conferences and events, some with as many as 10,000 attendees.”
Clients also included engineering firms working on environmental issues. In fact, that’s how Eanes, a member of IECA since 2004, started working in the erosion and sediment control industry.
“I’ve enjoyed the whole field of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management more than any other area I’ve worked in,” he says. “I believe in what IECA members are doing and the contributions we’re making to the environment. Also, I’ve been impressed by the passion our members have for their work. There’s no false façade with this group of professionals. They truly care about improving our world.”
Kiaha Hired as IECA’s Marketing Manager
As IECA’s marketing manager, Katie Kiaha is responsible for keeping IECA members and the public informed about the programs, activities, and contributions of the association in helping to protect soil, air, and water resources. She took over these duties this past August.
“My work supports IECA’s membership and education services and involves a wide range of communications work,” she says. “One day I may be writing a news release about an IECA event and revising a membership brochure. Another day I may be working with a graphic designer on a direct mail piece, while the following day I’m developing creative strategy to promote the Environmental Connection conference and expo. I enjoy working with many different IECA members and staff and helping the association wherever I can.”
Kiaha graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado. She chose that course of study based on her experience in high school when she was a member of the marketing club. It was part of DECA (Delta Epsilon Chi), a nationwide association of high school students interested in marketing.
“We got to compete in various competitive events that tested our knowledge of marketing concepts and our ability to solve marketing challenges,” Kiaha explains. “I did well in that and decided to study marketing in college.”
As an undergraduate, she also earned a certificate in international business. “I wanted to explore opportunities for a businessperson outside of the United States,” Kiaha says. “I didn’t know where my career path would lead and it made sense to prepare for different alternatives. Learning how businesses in other countries operate was very enlightening. I’m glad I chose that option.”
Prior to joining IECA this past summer, she worked in various marketing positions in the Denver, Colorado, area—first, as an intern with the Better Business Bureau of Denver, next with a records and information management company, and then in the corporate office of a national homebuilder.
