Shawn Keough of Sandpoint is the executive director of the Associated Logging Contractors which is an organization of Idaho based independent logging and wood hauling contractors with whom she has worked since 2000. Her work experience over the course of her career is in the fields of business management and public relations.
She also served in the Idaho State Senate from 1996 to 2018, making her the longest-serving female Senator in Idaho’s history. Her service included 18 years on the legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, of which three years were as co-chair. In addition to other committees, she also served a total of five years on the Senate Education Committee. While serving in the legislature, her work in the area of higher education helped to lead expansion of higher education opportunities across Idaho including: expansion of North Idaho College satellite campuses in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry; expansion of online college courses; implementation of dual credit college courses for high school students; expansion of career technical programs; and, establishment of 4-year degree programs through all of Idaho’s public colleges and universities both in Coeur d’Alene and online. She retired from the legislature in 2018.
Ms. Keough’s main focus in life is her family. Shawn and Mike have been married 32 years and have two grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren. Her husband graduated from the University of Idaho and taught in Idaho’s public schools 35 years. Their sons grew up in Sandpoint, attended public schools and graduated from the University of Idaho and Boise State University. Her grandchildren are starting their education in Idaho’s public schools.
Ms. Keough obtained an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston and an Associate of Science in General Studies from North Idaho College. Ms. Keough holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lewis-Clark State College.