Biography
Lori Jean Otter became Idaho's First Lady after the people of Idaho elected her husband, C.L. "Butch" Otter, as their Governor in November 2006.
Lori Otter was born Lori Easley in Pensacola, Florida. She grew up in a Naval military family as the youngest of four children and the only girl. When her father retired the family relocated to Twin Falls, Idaho and took over a family farm.
Lori fell in love with Idaho. She became active in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA), taking horse, sheep, and pig projects to the Twin Falls County Fair.
After graduating from Kimberly High School, Lori attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, where she earned an Associate's degree in English Literature. She finished her undergraduate education at Boise State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Education and Physical Education with minors in Health and English.
Lori began her teaching career in Wellton, Arizona, teaching ninth grade health, English and social studies while coaching basketball, volleyball and softball.
Lori returned to Idaho in 1995 to teach and coach in the Meridian School District. For 12 years she taught health and physical education and coached basketball and volleyball at the middle school and high school levels.
Seeking new challenges, Lori pursued graduate level education at Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) in Nampa, Idaho. She earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership from NNU in 2004, after which she worked in the Meridian School District as a principal at an elementary school.
First Lady Lori Otter serves on the board of directors for the St. Alphonsus Foundation, the Treasure Valley Reading Foundation, and the Idaho Governor's Cup. She serves on the general advisory board for the International Orphan's Project, a school program designed to help meet the needs of orphans by providing opportunities for Idaho school children to learn about and assist underprivileged children around the world. She is the Summer Reading Ambassador for the Idaho Association of Libraries. Along with Governor Otter, she is on the Idaho Meth Project Advisory Council and has worked to promote and launch the Idaho Meth Project, an extremely successful prevention campaign to reduce the first time use of methamphetamines by youth in Idaho. Additionally, the First Lady continues to advocate about underage drinking issues in Idaho as a board member of the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation.
Passionate about education and literacy, the First Lady also collaborated with Boise State University to design and write two children's books, "Ida Visits the Capitol" and "Ida Tours the 44," both created to help fourth graders learn about Idaho's history. This gift to Idaho children also is an educational resource for teachers and students.
First Lady Lori Otter has four stepchildren and six grandchildren. She 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.
