Former Academic and Decorated Naval Aviator Named to State Board of Education

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has appointed William H. Goesling of Moscow, a former Naval aviator and educator and retired financial consultant, to the State Board of Education.

Goesling fills a vacancy on the eight-member board left by the March 1 expiration of Moscow attorney Paul Agidius’s term. He has served on the Idaho Public Charter School Commission since 2004 and joins the Board of Education for its meeting on Wednesday in Moscow.

“It’s a pleasure to have such a highly qualified candidate so close at hand,” Governor Otter said. “His academic and professional experience, along with his involvement in education ranging from the Moscow School Board to the Charter School Commission, makes him an ideal choice to fill the rather large shoes left by Paul Agidius on the State Board.”

Goesling received the Distinguished Flying Cross, ten individual and unit Air Medals and a Navy Commendation Medal for his heroism as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Montana, master’s degrees in applied science and management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and his doctorate in education at the University of Idaho. He also was curriculum officer at the Naval Postgraduate School, taught high school math and science, and was a Naval and civilian ground and flight instructor.

In addition, Goesling was a faculty member at the University of Idaho and, before retiring, was an associate vice president and financial consultant for D.A. Davidson & Co.