Kerosene

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What happens when 15 years of hard work start paying off all at once?

Tommy Ahlquist sits down with his longtime business partner and best friend, Ryan Cleverley, to talk about what they’re calling the busiest season of their careers—and why they believe the best is still ahead.

From Micron’s massive investment in Idaho to major developments transforming the Treasure Valley, they share an inside look at Ahlquist’s next chapter, including updates on Peregrine, The District at Ten Mile, Heritage Square, 4th & Idaho, and more.

But it’s not all business. Tommy and Ryan dive into leadership, work ethic, the growing role of AI, and what it really means to balance career success with family, faith, and the things that matter most.

Plus, hear why Tommy almost shut down the podcast entirely—and how that decision led to something even bigger.

Welcome to Kerosene, part of the Ahlquist podcast lineup alongside Ahlquist Blueprint, Dirt to Dollars, and Young Guns.

In this episode:

• Why the Treasure Valley is entering a new era of growth
• The projects and investments shaping Ahlquist’s future
• Lessons from 15 years of business partnership
• Why experience and wisdom still matter in the age of AI
• Finding balance during the busiest seasons of life
• What’s next for Kerosene and the Ahlquist podcast lineup

Subscribe to Kerosene for conversations with the people, ideas, and experiences shaping business, leadership, and our communities.

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Miguel Villafaña’s story is a modern version of the American Dream.

The son of Mexican immigrants and farmworkers, Miguel grew up working the fields of Aberdeen, Idaho. Today, he operates roughly 600 acres through Villafaña Farms while also working as a senior commercial lender at Zions Bank and raising four children with his wife.

Miguel joins Matthew Rabe and Zach Miller to talk about building a farm from scratch, the work ethic and family values that shaped him, and the realities facing the next generation of American farmers.

They dig into the rising cost of land, access to capital, financial pressure on farmers, raising kids on the farm, Idaho’s rapid growth, and the challenge of protecting agriculture while creating room for the next generation.

At its core, this is a conversation about hard work, opportunity, family, and what it takes to build something of your own.

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Matt Dorsey, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and a fifth-generation Idaho farmer, joins Tommy Ahlquist and Zach Miller for a conversation about agriculture, heritage and the values that have shaped Idaho.

From growing up in Sunny Slope and moving hand lines to representing farmers and ranchers across the state, Matt discusses the grit, independence, humility and community that come with a life in agriculture.

They explore what it really means to “keep Idaho, Idaho,” what people without an agricultural background should understand about farming and ranching, and why generations of producers remain deeply invested in protecting the land they depend on.

The conversation also looks toward the future, including precision agriculture, AI-powered equipment and the technology helping producers become more efficient than ever.

It’s a conversation about farming—but even more about work, gratitude, community and the lessons agriculture can teach the next generation.

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In this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Zach Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and a fifth-generation Idaho farmer and rancher from eastern Idaho.

Zach shares his background growing up in agriculture, his family’s farming and ranching operation, and the path that eventually led him to represent farmers and ranchers across the state through the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

The conversation also looks at the Idaho Farm Bureau’s new Boise office near the State Capitol, why having a stronger presence in Boise matters, and the role the organization plays in giving Idaho agriculture a voice on major policy issues.

From there, Tommy and Zach dive into some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today, including Idaho’s water supply, aquifers, water rights and drought conditions; beef prices and the cattle cycle; public lands, grazing and multiple-use management; wolves, grizzly bears and the Endangered Species Act; and the ongoing challenges surrounding agricultural labor and immigration policy.

Throughout the conversation, Zach brings both a policy perspective and firsthand experience from a family that has been farming and ranching in Idaho for five generations.

They also discuss why agriculture remains such an important part of Idaho’s economy, culture and identity—and why decisions being made today around water, land, labor and regulation will have a lasting impact on the next generation of Idaho farmers and ranchers.

This episode kicks off a three-part Ever Onward series focused on Idaho agriculture. Zach will join Tommy as co-host for upcoming conversations with Idaho Farm Bureau President Matt Dorsey and Miguel Villafana, owner-operator of Villafana Farms and a senior commercial lender at Zions Bank.

Topics include:

• Idaho Farm Bureau and its role in agriculture
• Zach Miller’s fifth-generation farming and ranching roots
• The new Idaho Farm Bureau Boise office
• Idaho water rights, aquifers and drought
• Snowpack and the future of Idaho’s water supply
• Beef prices and the cattle cycle
• Public lands, grazing and multiple-use management
• Wolves, grizzly bears and predator management
• Agricultural labor and immigration
• The future of farming and ranching in Idaho

Follow the Ever Onward Podcast for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs and people helping shape the future of Idaho.

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with Boise State Director of Athletics Jeremiah Dickey for a candid conversation about leadership, the future of college athletics, and the bold vision driving Boise State forward.

Jeremiah reflects on his leadership philosophy, the importance of faith and family, and why his "What's Next" mindset has become the foundation for building one of the nation's most respected athletic departments. He also shares his perspective on the rapidly changing landscape of college sports, including NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, and the challenges facing universities across the country.

The conversation explores how Boise State is preparing for the future through strategic investments, innovative revenue opportunities, facility expansion, and stronger partnerships across Idaho. Jeremiah also discusses the impact Boise State Athletics has on the state's economy, community, and national reputation.

They also discuss:

• The future of NIL and college athletics
• Boise State's long-term vision and strategic growth
• Why athletics is the "front porch" of Idaho
• The North End Zone project and future campus development
• Building a championship culture through leadership
• Faith, family, and staying present despite a demanding career
• Why Boise State's best days are still ahead

Whether you're a Bronco fan, business leader, student, or someone interested in leadership and organizational growth, this episode offers an inspiring look at what it takes to lead through uncertainty while keeping people at the center of every decision.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping Idaho's future and beyond.

Follow Ahlquist on Social Media: 

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ahlquistdev/

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with entrepreneur and AI founder Aaron Klein to discuss what it really takes to build a successful company, create a strong culture, and lead through constant change.

Aaron shares his journey from working in his father's business to building Riskalyze into one of the financial industry's leading technology companies, achieving more than 42 consecutive quarters of growth before its acquisition. He reflects on the lessons learned through failure, hiring, leadership, and scaling a business while staying true to a mission-driven culture.

The conversation then turns to artificial intelligence and why Aaron believes AI should strengthen human relationships—not replace them. As the founder of Contio, he explains how AI can eliminate repetitive work, improve collaboration, and help professionals spend more time doing what matters most.

They also discuss:

• Building and scaling a startup from the ground up
• Creating a values-driven company culture
• Hiring great leaders and avoiding common mistakes
• Idaho's growing technology ecosystem
• The future of AI and the workforce
• Why entrepreneurs should focus on the craft—not just the exit

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, technology leader, or simply curious about where AI is headed, this episode offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective on building impactful companies.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping Idaho's future and beyond.

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with Eric Sonner, founder and CEO of Data Airflow, to explore one of the fastest-growing industries in the world: AI data centers.

Eric shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in Buhl, Idaho, to becoming an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist while building one of the nation's leading engineering firms serving AI and high-performance computing facilities. Along the way, he explains how his early work solving cooling challenges for Bitcoin mining evolved into designing next-generation infrastructure powering artificial intelligence across the United States.

The conversation tackles many of the biggest misconceptions surrounding AI data centers, including water consumption, energy demands, economic impact, and why the United States is racing to build the infrastructure needed to stay competitive.

They also discuss:

• How AI data centers actually work
• The truth about water usage and cooling systems
• America's growing power generation challenge
• Nuclear, natural gas, and the future of energy
• Why AI infrastructure is a matter of national security
• Idaho's role in the future of technology
• Leadership lessons from building a company at rapid scale
• The importance of hiring great people and casting a compelling vision

Whether you're interested in AI, entrepreneurship, energy, technology, or the future of America's economy, this episode offers an inside look at one of the most important industries shaping the next decade.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping Idaho's future and beyond.

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and Capital Eleven founder Travis Hawkes to discuss the future of Idaho's innovation economy, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build companies that create lasting impact.

Travis shares the story behind Capital Eleven, why he believes Idaho is uniquely positioned to become one of the nation's leading technology hubs, and how venture-backed companies can create the next generation of high-paying jobs. He also reflects on lessons learned from his father, Bill Hawkes, whose legacy of hard work, humility, and service continues to shape his approach to business and leadership.

The conversation explores what investors look for in founders, why grit matters more than almost anything else, and how entrepreneurs can navigate failure, pivots, and the realities of building a company from the ground up.

They also discuss:

• Why Idaho is becoming an emerging technology ecosystem
• How Capital Eleven has invested in more than 90 startups
• The traits of successful founders and entrepreneurs
• Venture capital, fundraising, and building unicorn companies
• Why company culture and mentorship matter
• The impact AI will have on startups and innovation
• Creating the next generation of Idaho's high-paying jobs

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business leader, or simply interested in the future of Idaho's economy, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and building companies that make a lasting difference.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping Idaho's future and beyond.

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What does it take to prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators, and technology leaders?

On this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy sits down with Dr. Amy Fleischer, Dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, for a fascinating conversation about Idaho’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem and the critical role engineering will play in shaping the state’s future.

From Micron’s expansion and the rise of artificial intelligence to semiconductor manufacturing, data centers, workforce development, and Boise State’s growing impact, Dr. Fleischer shares why Idaho is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in engineering and innovation.

She also tells her remarkable personal story—from an eighth grader writing letters to NASA contractors because she wanted to build spaceships, to becoming an internationally recognized mechanical engineer and one of the nation’s leading engineering educators.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why engineering and the skilled trades both matter
• How AI is changing education and the workforce
• The future of data centers and semiconductor technology
• Why Boise State is expanding engineering and AI programs
• Idaho’s partnership with Micron, INL, and leading technology companies
• The importance of critical thinking in the age of AI
• How Boise State is preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow

Whether you’re a student, parent, business leader, educator, or simply curious about where technology is headed, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the future of Idaho and the opportunities being created for the next generation. 

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What if every Idaho taxpayer could see exactly where public money is being spent?

On this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Brandon Woolf, Idaho State Controller, to discuss the groundbreaking work behind Transparent Idaho—the online platform that gives citizens unprecedented access to state and local government finances.

Brandon shares how a commitment to transparency has guided his leadership since taking office, why building trust in government matters more than ever, and how technology and AI are helping make public information more accessible and meaningful for Idahoans.

The conversation also goes beyond government. Brandon reflects on growing up on a dairy farm in Preston, the real-life inspiration behind Napoleon Dynamite, lessons learned from family and hard work, leadership, serving others, and why Idaho’s future remains incredibly bright.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• Transparent Idaho and government accountability
• Where Idaho tax dollars go
• Public payroll, budgets, and financial reporting
• AI and the future of state government
• Leadership, culture, and servant leadership
• Idaho’s Endowment Lands and natural resources
• Work ethic, family, and growing up in Preston
• Why optimism still matters in Idaho

Whether you’re interested in Idaho politics, government transparency, leadership, technology, or simply want to better understand how your state operates, this is a conversation every Idahoan should hear.

Explore Transparent Idaho for yourself at Transparent.Idaho.gov⁠ and discover where your tax dollars are being spent.

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