Biography

About Barbara Ehardt 

Community Leader *** Independent Voice *** Small Business Owner

Barbara was born and raised in Idaho Falls and is currently a manager at Apple Athletic Club.  After playing college hoops at North Idaho Junior College and Idaho State University, she had the opportunity to coach Division I Women’s Basketball for 15 years at Cal State Fullerton, BYU, UC Santa Barbara and Washington State.  This adventure allowed her to visit all parts of the United States and live and grow in places much different from here.  Barbara believes that she has been richly blessed from these opportunities.  She also believes that these opportunities have broadened her paradigm which greatly shapes ones perspective.   

 It was in 2003 that Barbara made the decision to return to Idaho Falls.  As she has said many times, while growing up here she was never one that couldn’t wait to leave.  Rather, she always loved Idaho Falls and had planned one day to return; it was just a matter of when.  She has a deep-rooted love of this beautiful city and it’s people, with their family values, honesty and work ethic.    Barbara has never married (though she hasn’t given up hope) but she is surrounded by family and especially loves to spend time with all 14 of her nieces and nephews. 

 Because of her life experiences, Barbara is uniquely suited to serve Idaho Falls on the city council. She has successfully managed and met large budgets, worked with and supervised staff, and motivated team members.  Those who have worked (and played) with Barbara use these words to describe her: fair, driven, hard working, integrity & full of enthusiasm.  Barbara knows how to follow through on every task and see it to completion.  She will approach service on the city council in the same way.  She will invest the time necessary to understand the issues and promises to be accessible to Idaho Falls taxpayers and employees.  YOU will be heard. 

 

 Activities / Services / Honors

  • Motivational Speaker: has been a guest speaker for many events ranging from such things as the Miss Washington Pageant; Youth Conferences; Boy Scout Conferences; Self help conferences; sporting events; sport camps; professional seminars; leadership seminars and much more…
  • EFY Speaker – Especially for Youth Conference speaker run through BYU
  • Much sought after instructor of flag etiquette & love of country through Flag Retirings; teams up with the Boy Scouts to do this 
  • Teaches leadership; loves to especially focus on the youth
  • Served on Pro Am / Help, Inc. committee
  • Served as a District VII Search & Rescue water volunteer
  • Served as a “Say No to Drugs” volunteer
  • Has served as guest clinician for NCAA “YES” program
  • Has served as a Red Cross volunteer
  • Activily involved in church & service opportunities
  • Owner / Operator - “E’s Camps & Clinics”
  • Small business owner - “Renaissance Assisted Living”

Sports

      • Played Junior College basketball at North Idaho where her team played in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament in Senatobia, Mississippi
      • Played Division I college basketball as a Scholarship Athlete for Idaho State University; served as a team captain
      • Coached Division I Women’s Basketball 15 years:

 UC Santa Barbara–(assistant coach; twice won the Big West Conference & Tournament; team was also nationally ranked / NCAA’s)           

Brigham Young University – (assistant coach)

Washington State University– (assistant coach)

Cal State Fullerton– (head coach; received NCAA award for sportsmanship)

  • Many athletes who have played for Barbara have gone onto to coach or even play professional basketball.  One such athlete is Cori Close, the current head women’s basketball coach at UCLA

Politics

  • Currently serves as the President of the Bonneville County Republican Women
  • Has served on many campaign committees but most recently served on the Eastern Idaho Committee to re-elect Butch Otter
  • Currently serves as Precinct 7 committee person
  • Also served as a Precinct committee person while living in Orange County, California
  • Former President of College Republicans while at North Idaho Junior College

 

 

In Barbara’s words: “The experience of running for city council two years ago was fantastic and it allowed me to put into practice first hand the most basic workings of our government.  I was able to gain an even greater appreciation of our Founding Fathers and the system of government they put into play some 225 years ago.  This experience of running again allows me to meet and interact with many of our Idaho Falls resident’s.  Going through this process has really helped to impress upon my mind the idea that the position of City Councilman is truly one of service.  I need to be willing to listen and to understand the concerns of our residents and then help to articulate such to the appropriate people.  I need to work to create WIN / WIN situations.  And as I’ve found out in my experiences thus far, WIN / WIN is possible if people are willing to try.”