Nate Helm

Thank you to all who have done such a great job in making this type of opportunity possible.  I know my bio is long but I realize it is as much for me as it may be for any of you.

I remember Grant Jensen announcing to a bunch of us at our graduation, “it will never be like this again.”  I remember thinking at that time that I would never let that happen.  I was sure we would all remain friends and our families would grow up together dunking on the elementary hoops at Pinion Elementary and making videos about Duct Tape.

After graduation I spent a year at Ricks Junior College in Idaho pursuing a Pre-Law/Political Science degree.  Kevin Ramsey was one of my roommates.  We played a lot of volleyball and even went to class.

Starting that next fall (1989) I began a two year mission for the LDS Church in Northern California.  I was humbled by the people I lived with in the rural communities that struggled to make ends meet.  I learned a lot about myself and found I was passionate about the outdoors and the people who work there. 

Upon my return I spent a quick semester back at Ricks before I found summer work in Stanley, Idaho.  This bit of heaven on earth has become a central figure in my life.  I began work in Stanley as a summer guide and packer.  I had never done anything like that before but I think I was a quick study and enjoyed the horses, dudes, and fellow guides.  I mostly enjoyed the scenery.  This was really my first experience teaching earth science as I learned and taught curious visitors about their environment.

Even in the midst of the Sawtooths, the best scenery I had ever witnessed bounced into view when I laid eyes on my wife, Neita, that summer.  We spent the first three days after our first meeting talking like we were catching each other up and it did not take long for us to agree that this was not just another relationship.  We were both busy throughout the summer (I can still see her working at an Idaho Fish and Game hatchery holding a huge Chinook Salmon in her hands) and that fall she left for school while I guided for the fall hunting season.  I put in another semester at Ricks to finish my Associates before we were married that spring (1993).

That next summer we moved to a little cinder block house in Stanley.  I ran the Redfish Lake Corrals for Mystic Saddle Ranch and she worked at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch.  Every spare minute was spent at another backcountry lake, checking out the fishing and seeing the best of God’s creations.  (Did I mention her family has a very beautiful ranch in Stanley (www.arrowaranch.com)?)  We both enrolled at Utah State University that next fall after a full summer of work in Stanley.

School, work, and trips to Stanley filled the next few years.  However, I had to begin to get serious about life when Bailey arrived as our first child in May of 1995.  In a bit of a change from the Pre-Law/Political Science direction, I graduated that next fall with a Secondary Education degree in Ag Ed and Biology with an emphasis in Economics.  Neita had completed her Elementary Education degree as well. 

My first job took us to Nampa, Idaho where I began teaching high school agriculture courses.  I taught eleven subjects that first year including Botany, Zoology, Agriculture Business, Agriculture Welding, Agriculture Fabrication, Greenhouse Management, Leadership, and much more.  I coached some volleyball and was the FFA advisor.  It was a frantic year and over the two years I taught I not only paid back my guilt debt to Ms. Arsenault (a Maryland junior high French teacher I mistreated) but also became a master of the art of making an entertaining presentation to a less than motivated audience.

In the middle of all that learning number two, Wyatt, came along in July 1997.  The seeming difficulties of teaching had me looking for a newer, bigger challenge.  I had learned from my education courses that my life’s motivation was classified in a category called, “social reconstructionist”.  I have always wanted to be a part of the policy making process.  I had a chance that was a now or never opportunity to go back to school.  I left Nampa High and took my little family back to USU for a MS in Agriculture Systems Technology and Education.

 

Side Note: While at USU I drew an early season, elk rifle tag in an area I had guided in previously.  For the hunters out there, you know how valuable this opportunity was for me.  I will try and find the picture demonstrating the results.

In 1999, I had completed my graduate work and returned to the Boise area to take a County Faculty position with the University of Idaho.  My extension education assignment focused on youth programs (4-H) and small acreage landowners (I taught classes on how to do a hobby farm).  During the two years I worked for the University I met a lot of people and met the Idaho leaders in the agriculture and natural resources fields.  Also during this time we built our current home near Neita’s family farm in Melba.  In April of 2000 we were blessed with a daughter, number three, Anneliese.

In the beginning of 2001, I was working for the University of Idaho and was approached by the staff for Idaho US Senator Larry Craig.  They asked if I would consider working in his office.  After a brief round of interviews, I moved into the political world working for Idaho’s political leader providing advice on natural resource issues.  Senator Craig had the best staff, the best reputation, and the most seniority.  A staffer working in his office could therefore learn a ton about the whole political process, meet the movers and shakers, and catapult themselves into opportunity rich waters.  I learned more during those three years as an employee of the US Senate than I ever had before.  I was certainly an eager learner and I had the best folks in Idaho to work with.  During my time in that office I had the opportunity to meet Vice President Cheney and many other US leaders, help fellow Idahoans shape their future, and assist in creating programs that enable government to provide service to the citizenry.  It was satisfying and rewarding work.  During this time with the Senate we welcomed yet another child, number four, a man child, Zane (Aug 2002).

It was during these good days, and after three years time, that I was lured away by the prospects of better money (still waiting), freedom (self employment) and hunting and fishing.  I decided to become a consultant/lobbyist/association manager/whatever else it is I do. 

Here is as good a time as any to insert a bit about Senator Craig and the national attention he has received in the past year’s time.  I loved working for him.  We shared time in his home and he in ours.  I never saw anything that would ever suggest he was anything other than an honest, hard-working, talented leader.  I have no answers for his actions or the actions of others involved in that bathroom sting in Minneapolis.  I cannot defend him and his decisions.  I was as shocked as anyone could be.  I will, however, continue to value what I learned and the opportunities I was given by my time under his leadership.  I must admit though, I was grateful I was not still working in his office and I felt grief for my friends who were still there, who had to deal with this very public, very challenging situation.

I started Helm Associates, LLC and had my first contract with Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife – Idaho, Inc (SFW-Idaho).  They have been my mainstay for the past four years.  I took on a contract when they were just getting started.  They are now the principle political sportsmen group in the state of Idaho.  Similar organizations exist in Wyoming, Alaska, Utah and even New Mexico.

I recently took on additional work to be their policy lead on the wolf issue in the West for the Coalition of SFW states.  Yup, I am listed up near the top as one of the most notorious wolf “murderers” on one impassioned web sites.  All of these issues keep me very busy.  I spend my days on the phone with the various state and federal leaders attempting to ensure that sportsmen get their say.  But, frankly, most of my time is spent keeping a Board of Directors happy.  For those who may think it is all guns and shooting, SFW, like other conservation organizations, has preserved hundreds of thousands of acres from proposed development and spend most of their money on habitat improvement projects.

Funny story… A number of years ago, while in my capacity, doing my thing, lobbying at the capitol in Boise I saw a familiar face.  I ran into our former American History Teacher/Athletic Director Jim Goetzinger.  After the initial shock from having seen that I had actually become a contributing member of society, he told me he liked to check out state capitol buildings when he travels and just happened to be touring Idaho’s at the time.

During the past years working out of the home we have been blessed with two more children.  In February, 2005 we had number five, Melina.  Two years later, in March of 2007 we had our most recent addition, Joel.  We have a busy home and lots of activity but our children love to play together and we cannot imagine it any other way.

The other perk of being self employed is I get to spend time with my family.  I don’t miss too many events, even the elementary school track meets.  We get to camp, hike, fish and hunt together regularly.  To catch you up on my family and better describe their individual characters I will tell you about each of them.

Neita and I essentially live on her family’s farm.  She graduated from Melba High with 32 others in her class where Neita was known for her athletic skills.  When we were dating everyone I met asked if I played basketball.  I remember watching her play during our college years and witnessed her natural ability and talent.  She still enjoys playing with a group of equally competitive ladies who share a passion for sports and the effort required to participate.  She is a great mom and involves herself at the children’s school as a room mom, art mom, chaperone, and much more.  She is a great listener and the children thrive because of her willingness to make time for each of them.

Bailey is now thirteen.  She has a competitive streak that matches well with her physical endurance.  She loves volleyball, basketball and track.  She is a voracious reader and shocks her classmates with her ability to consume thick novels.  Most parents insist their child read before they go to bed.  We continually harp on Bailey to put the book away and go to sleep.  Bailey has been showing swine for fair and was given a horse by our current governor and his wife for her to use.

Wyatt is turning eleven in a few weeks.  He reads the sports section of the paper every morning and then attempts to get someone to pay attention to him as he recounts the fascinating facts he has just learned (like – BSU just got a verbal commitment from _____ and he played his high school ball at ______.....)  He tells everyone who will listen that after his pro ball career (he has not decided if it will be basketball or football) he would like to do some carpentry work.  Wyatt has natural athletic talent and likely cares more than most.  He is a hard worker who strives to please.  He, like his older sister, shows swine at the fair.

Anneliese is eight.  Her nickname, “buttercup” describes her in part.  She loves to look pretty.  Like her mother she has a knack for things athletic and is fiercely competitive.  Even on a short family walk she will run the last portion of the distance to ensure she arrives first.  I fear the day boys recognize her beauty and I have begun the gun collecting for just such occasions.  She recently acquired a rabbit and Teancum has been cared for like no other rabbit has or will – ever.

Zane is five and will begin Kindergarten in the fall.  Zane wants to be a “workin’ man” when he grows up, just like his Grandpa Neider (Neita’s father).  Grandpa doesn’t get around like he used to, but, he is still a workaholic.  Zane is his best buddy and loves tools, tractors, and is willing to work hard all day.  He is never happier than when he Grandpa drops him off in the evening and we have to strip his greasy dirty closes of in the garage.  When not with Grandpa, he will spend hours with his Tonka trucks digging and digging in our sand pile.  Zane has a ton of energy and the hardest thing he ever does is try and sit still.

Melina is three, and cute, and tough.  At three she is struggling to improve her parents’ tolerance levels.  She is willing to push the button or step over the line just to see where the limits are and what the consequences might be.  She has a smile that will make you melt and that seems to balance it all out.

Joel is one and knows how to get attention.  He is already showing the characteristics of a bit of a ham.  He is cuddly and cute and talks non stop (we cannot make out anything he says, but it sounds right).

I enjoy my work and life for the most part.  Sometimes I wish I had more time to hunt for myself (especially with my new Hoyt bow) but I love going out with my children and I always end up realizing I feel much more rewarded by my time spent with them.  I have begun guiding a little again.  I did elk and deer last year but the elk are getting too big for me to want to handle so I told the outfitter I would not mind doing just deer – especially as my muscles have become “softer”.  I play a little competitive volleyball until my body aches too much and then I take some time to heal before I try it again.  Family, church, and work keep me hopping.  I really have little time to complain – except when Neita wants me to clean the garage (or type up a bio for my 20 year reunion)!

I will not be available to attend the reunion but I appreciate all who have written about themselves.  It helps me put life into perspective to see outside my own little world every now and then.

Nate

Family photo from this spring.

The kids this spring at Stanley Ranch

Nate and his Elk Antlers.

Wyatt's Fish Summer summer 04

Bailey and her fish

Anneliese and her big fish

Another Catch

Family camping trip last summer