Randy Brooks Will Lead University of Idaho Extension
The veteran staff member is set to take over as director for the statewide program on September 28, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
Randy Brooks has been appointed the new director of University of Idaho Extension, effective September 28, 2026. He succeeds Barbara Petty, who retired from the university on August 31, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment brings a long-term internal leader to the helm of a program vital to agricultural and forestry support across Idaho. Brooks aims to prioritize documenting the organization's regional impact while streamlining operations.
Randy Brooks brings 35 years of career experience to his new role, following the departure of Barbara Petty, who served for three decades. The scope of his oversight includes Extension facilities spread across the state of Idaho.
The players
Randy Brooks
He is an experienced University of Idaho staff member who previously served as an acting head of the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences.
Barbara Petty
She is the former director of the University of Idaho Extension who concluded her three-decade career with the institution in August 2026.
The details
Brooks, who began his career with the university in 1990, has held positions as a soil fertility specialist in Twin Falls and a forestry specialist in Clearwater County. Upon assuming his new role, he plans to visit various offices statewide and launch an effort titled Removing the Rocks to identify and address workplace obstacles.
Timeline
Brooks began his career with the university in 1990.
He moved to Clearwater County in 1996.
He transitioned to the Moscow campus in 2011.
Barbara Petty retired from the university on Aug. 31, 2026.
Randy Brooks begins his new role on Sept. 28, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition signals a commitment to maintaining institutional knowledge within the University of Idaho Extension. It positions the program to continue its established mission by leveraging a director with deep historical ties to the organization's statewide operations.
The transition in leadership is unlikely to immediately change daily services for residents who rely on Extension facilities in Cassia, Clearwater, or other counties. However, the planned staff engagement visits may lead to operational shifts intended to improve the efficiency of local Extension resources.
The takeaway
The appointment of a 35-year veteran underscores the value of institutional memory in managing complex, statewide public service programs. Brooks's upcoming efforts to address workplace friction suggest an internal focus on optimizing staff output rather than broad programmatic expansion.
Further reading
For more information on organizational changes and leadership transitions, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dailyfly News.
