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Fleming College announces four new members of its Board of Governors

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 Fleming College is pleased to announce four new members have joined its Board of Governors.

Paul Downs, Shelley Knott Fife and Katherine MacIver will each serve three years terms as external Governors while Allison Bowes will serve one year as the elected student Governor.

Paul Downs along with his brother, John, and their families are the owner/operators of Nexicom Inc. Nexicom provides local telephone, long distance, internet, digital TV and residential and business security systems to customers in the Central Ontario region. For the past 31 years Paul has been responsible for the majority of Nexicom’s day to day business operations. Also during this time, Paul has been an active member on several committees and Boards of Directors within the industry. Paul and his wife Kathy are parents to three grown sons.

Paul also has a background in education. He attended Lakeshore Teachers College in Toronto where he obtained his teaching certificate, followed by the completion of a B.A. degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. He spent 15 years as an elementary school teacher, vice-principal and principal. During his teaching years, Paul obtained his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Toronto.

Paul Downs
Paul Downs

 

 

Shelley Knott Fife is a mother of two and is a member and resident of Curve Lake First Nation. She has a B.A. from the University of Waterloo, a B.Ed. from Trent University and is currently a M.Sc. in Education candidate at Purdue University. She has experience in First Nation education through time spent as the Campaign Manager for the First People’s House of Learning at Trent University, as the Education Manager at Curve Lake First Nation for several years, the Aboriginal Education Coordinator of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, an Aboriginal Education Officer for the Toronto Region of the Aboriginal Education Office of the Ministry of Education, and presently as an Education Specialist with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

In addition to being a former elected member of Council in Curve Lake First Nation, Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of Fleming College, and board member of PRHC, Shelley has made various community contributions on education and youth committees and councils.  Shelley has been published in the “Canadian Association of Principals” and the “Canadian Centre of Alternative Policy’s Education Journal” on the subject of education and the aboriginal experience.

Shelley Knott Fife
Shelley Knott Fife

 
Katherine MacIver is a mother of two boys, a wife, an educator and a life-long learner.

The first 15 years of her teaching and administration career were spent in Northwestern Ontario with the Keewatin Patricia District School Board. She came to City of Kawartha Lakes in 2010 as the Principal of Fenelon Falls Secondary School. Following that Katherine became District Principal of Specialized Services for Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB). In August she moved to the role of Superintendent of Specialized Services and Safe and Accepting Schools with TLDSB.

“I am passionate about students and their learning, and have a deep rooted belief that every student needs access to post-secondary education. Through our well-educated youth, our communities will grow and prosper,” she said. “As a teacher, a literacy leader and administrator in both elementary and secondary schools, I have a strong understanding of the learning needs, pathways and opportunities for students. I am excited about the opportunities, discussions, and learning being a member of the Fleming Board of Governors will bring.”

Katherine MacIver
Katherine MacIver

 
Allison Bowes is in her third year of the Business Administration – Human Resources Management program with a goal of eventually obtaining a university degree in Human Resources. Allison recently completed a field placement in the HR department at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). She is continuing to volunteer in PRHC’s HR department in addition to completing a second field placement in Fleming College’s HR department. Allison also works part-time at a local retirement home, and in her spare time enjoys reading, knitting and yoga.

“I really hope my experience as a mature student will help make a positive and insightful contribution to the Board of Governors this year,” she said.

 

Allison Bowes
Allison Bowes

Returning members to Fleming’s Board of Governors include:

– Lori Geens is the newly elected Board Chair. She represents the Cobourg area, is a CGA, and is in her second three-year term.

– Dana (Merrett) Empey is the new Board Vice-Chair and also chairs the Executive Committee. She is a local businesswoman and is beginning her second three-year term.

– George Gillespie is the 2nd Board Vice-Chair and will also chair the Audit Committee. He is a licensed public accountant, and is in the final year of his first three-year term.

– Rosemarie Jung is the Executive Director of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed to the Board in November 2014.

– Heather Kerrigan is the Support Staff representative, beginning her second three-year term.

– Sue Kloosterman is the Administrative Staff representative, also beginning her second three-year term.

– Nancy Martin-Ronson is a member of the senior staff at PRHC, and was appointed to the Board in September 2014.

– Bill Mateer is an executive at GE Canada, appointed to the Board in December 2014.

– Mike Perry is the Executive Director of the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team. He is running as a candidate in the federal election and is currently on leave from the Board.

– Patti Watson is the Academic Staff representative, in the final year of her first term.

– College President Tony Tilly.

 

About Fleming College Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.

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Media, for more information please contact: Laura Copeland Communications Officer laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca 705.749.5530 x 1370