Arvid Lyons named to Idaho Co-op Hall of Fame

Arvid Lyons graduated from college in Oregon and began his career in the grain business in 1978 as a grain inspector for the Federal Grain Inspection Service and worked inspecting wheat and other commodities. In 1983, he transitioned into operations when he was given an opportunity to be a superintendent at, what was then, the North Pacific Grain Growers export terminal elevator in Kalama, Wash.

In 1987, Arvid was hired to be the general manager of the Lewis Clark Terminal in Lewiston, Idaho, which became one of the largest shippers of grain on the Snake and Columbia River system. Arvid served the terminal for nearly three decades, retiring from that role in 2016.

Today he is working part-time for the Lewis Clark Terminal in operations where he gets to go home each day knowing that he helped set up the company for future success. Arvid estimated that he has loaded and shipped down the river around 5,700 barges of wheat and other commodities representing 570 million bushels of wheat.

Arid is the past president of Idaho Grain and Feed and Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed. He was also on the board of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and involved in fighting to keep river access on the Snake and Columbia River system.

The Idaho Cooperative Council annually selects individuals who have demonstrated dedication and service to agriculture cooperatives. The award was presented at a Northwest Regional Cooperative Conference held in Spokane, Wash. Idaho Cooperative Council represents local and regional agriculture cooperatives and assists member cooperatives with educational activities and public policy issues.