June 19, 2009 - Northern College Board of Governors Announces New President

Mr. Gibbons has worked for Northern College in a variety of capacities for the past 14 years. First contracted in 1992 to develop curriculum and to teach, Mr. Gibbons assumed the administrative role of Registrar and Director of Student Services in 1995. Two years later, Mr. Gibbons was promoted to the position of Executive Director College Development and Registrar. He assumed additional responsibilities for the Human Resources Department in July 1997.

Mr. Gibbons also undertook a developmental opportunity in 1998 when the position of Principal of the Haileybury School of Mines became vacant. In January 2005, he was appointed to the role of Executive Regional Director.

Mr. Gibbons is leading the Porcupine Campus expansion campaign that will see the construction of a 35K square foot Trades and Technology Centre – Phase 1 of a proposed two- phase expansion that will also see the development of a Centre of Excellence for Health and Emergency Services – a model of collaboration and community partnerships. He moderated the National Welding Vision Forum and chaired the National Welding Industry Technology Roadmap Committee to create a strategic alliance between the Canadian welding industry and Northern College’s Welding Engineering Technology program. Mr. Gibbons was also instrumental in positioning the College as the “trainer of choice” for a 10 million dollar workforce development training initiative in First Nation communities along the western James Bay Coast, and for re-establishing the Northern College Foundation that enjoyed first year revenues of $300,000.
In addition to his college system experience, Mr. Gibbons has worked with both municipal and provincial governments, as well as in the private sector managing the family’s retail sporting goods business.

Mr. Gibbons is presently working on a doctoral degree in business administration through California Coast University.

“We welcome Mr. Gibbons to this role, one which he has effectively fulfilled for the past six months as interim president,” said Carol Halt, Chair, Board of Governors. “The Board is confident that Mr. Gibbons will provide the leadership and vision necessary to successfully lead Northern College in fulfilling its vision and mission.”

Mr. Gibbons is married to Jean. They have four children and have recently become grandparents.

“I consider it a privilege to have been selected by the Presidential Search Committee and the Northern College Board of Governors. I also appreciate the support and encouragement that I received from staff and community members throughout the college’s catchment area during the search process. The staff of Northern College has achieved many accomplishments over the last number of years that have contributed to improved community well being through the development of our students. The opportunity to lead this tremendously talented group of staff now, under the direction of College’s Board of Governors, is indeed an honor.”

Mr. Gibbons assumes the role of president on July 1, 2009. Mr. Gibbons is replacing retiring president, Michael Hill.

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Media contact: Kathy Gagain, President’s Office
705-235-7136

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