150701_MackRedford.pdf

BOISE (July 1, 2015) -- The Public Utilities Commission and the State of Idaho
lost an outstanding public servant with the passing of Commissioner Mack
Redford late Tuesday night, June 30.
Since Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed him to the Commission in 2007,
Mack served the commission with dedication and genuine enthusiasm. All
those who worked with Mack were impressed with his interest in PUC-
related issues and in his ability to add a personal touch to the work
environment. Mack made a practice of visiting the offices of his co-workers regularly. During
contested cases that came before the Commission, Mack treated all parties with fairness and
respect. A diehard Vandal, he was gracious even to Bronco fans.
“Mack was the true embodiment of what it means to be a public servant,” said Governor Otter.
“His wealth of international business experience coupled with his numerous positions inside
government gave Mack the kind of insight and combination of skills that is extremely difficult to
find and even harder to replace. The people of Idaho lost a true champion and I have lost a
good friend. The First Lady and I are keeping Mack, his wife Nancy, and their family in our
prayers.”
At the time of his appointment, Commissioner Redford, 77, practiced law for the Boise-based
firm of Elam & Burke PA, specializing in commercial transactions, construction and engineering
law, mediation, real estate and general business.
Commissioner Redford grew up in the Weiser and Caldwell areas, graduating from Caldwell
High School. He received both his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Idaho and in
1967 became a deputy in the Idaho attorney general’s office. In 1977, he became a deputy
attorney general for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, headquartered in Saipan,
Northern Mariana Islands. The territory included a chain of 2,000 islands stretching from Hawaii
to the Philippines.
In 1981, Commissioner Redford became general counsel for Morrison Knudsen Engineers and
Morrison Knudsen International, a position that took him to Saudi Arabia where MK was
building the King Khalid Military City. In 1991, Commissioner Redford was retained by
TransManche Link, based in Folkestone, England, where he was legal counsel for the Channel
Tunnel Contractors, the builders of the 31-mile Channel Tunnel connecting England and France.
It is the second-largest rail tunnel in the world.
In 1992, Commissioner Redford joined the Boise firm of Park Redford & Burkett. In 1993, he
was retained by the World Bank of the Government of Nepal as contract and claims counsel for
the Arun Ill Hydroelectric Project. In 1996, he became general counsel for Micron Construction,
which was later acquired by Kaiser Engineers. He joined the Boise law firm of Elam & Burke in
2001.
He was also very active in community service serving as chair of the Idaho Pardons and Parole
Commission, the Board of Directors for Zoo Boise, a volunteer for the Service Corps of Retired
Executivess and a volunteer in CASA’s Guardian Ad Litem program. A diehard Vandal, he was a
past president of both the University of Idaho Foundation and the University of Idaho Vandal
Boosters.
Commissioner Redford is survived by his wife, Nancy and two children.
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712