The Easley family

The boys

Personal Profile

Lori Jean Otter became Idaho’s First Lady when her husband, C.L. “Butch” Otter, became Governor on January 1^st 2007. Lori Otter was born in Pensacola, Florida, where she grew up in a Naval Military family as the youngest of four children and the only girl. When her father retired in the 70s, her family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, taking over a family farm. Mrs. Otter fell in love with Idaho, and became active in 4-H and FFA, taking horse, sheep and pig projects to the Twin Falls County Fair.

After graduation from Kimberly High School, First Lady Otter attended school at College of Southern Idaho, in Twin Falls, Idaho earning an A.A. in English Literature.  She finished her B.S. at Boise State University, in Education, Physical Education, with minors in Health and English.

First Lady Lori Otter began her teaching career in Wellton, Arizona teaching 9th grade Health, English and Social Studies.  She also coached Basketball, Volleyball and Softball during her year in Arizona. First Lady Lori Otter returned back to Idaho in 1995 when she accepted a teaching and coaching position in the Meridian School District where she taught Health and Physical Education. She coached Basketball and Volleyball at the middle school and high school level for 12 years. Seeking new challenges, Mrs. Otter pursued and completed her Masters degree in 2004 at Northwest Nazarene University in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership.  She spent two years in the Meridian School District, working in administration at the elementary level.

Mrs. Otter is on the Foundation Board at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, the Treasure Valley Reading Foundation, Idaho Governor’s Cup, and is the Summer Reading Ambassador for the Idaho Association of Libraries. With her husband Governor Otter, she is on the Idaho Meth Project Advisory Council and has worked to promote and launch the Idaho Meth Project, a prevention campaign designed to reduce the first time use of Methamphetamines by youth in Idaho.  First Lady Lori Otter has collaborated with Boise State University to design and write a Children’s book, “Ida Tours the Capitol” designed to educate 4^th graders about Idaho History. Using her teaching background, Mrs. Otter has created a gift for the children of Idaho that is also an up to date educational resource for students and teachers. First Lady Otter was recently appointed to the Governor’s Spouses Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, and continues to advocate about underage drinking issues in her state.

            First Lady Lori Otter has completed three marathons and remains committed to health and physical fitness. She is an avid horseback rider and rodeo fan, raising and training horses on their ranch in Star, Idaho. First Lady Lori Otter has four stepchildren, as well as four grandchildren, and all of whom she will continue to spoil relentlessly in her free time.