Paul Larche of Barrie is the new Chair of the Georgian College Board of Governors. The board held its first meeting of the academic year remotely on Sept. 24.
Larche joined the board in September 2015 and served as Vice Chair for the past two years. He also made significant contributions to the board as Chair of the Advancement Committee, member of the Executive and Recognition committees, and has been a valuable board mentor.
“It’s an honour to be a Georgian board member and to serve in this leadership role,” Larche said. “Our students, regardless of what program or career path they choose, whether they’re studying remotely or a combination of in-person and remote, are gaining the skills and mindset to be innovative thinkers and changemakers capable of stimulating economic growth, contributing to the resurgence of our economy, and building strong, flourishing communities across our region and beyond.”
Larche is President and CEO of Larche Communications Inc., a media company and digital branding agency. He has been working in the broadcasting and marketing business for over 44 years. Larche is originally from Timmins, Ontario, where he started his radio career at the age of 15. He was transferred to Sudbury in 1986 as General Manager. In 1990, Larche was named General Manager of Telemedia Network Radio in Toronto, managing the radio broadcasts of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs.
In 1996, Larche set out on his own and purchased KICX 104 in Midland. Over the next 20 years, the company expanded to five radio stations in Ontario. In 2008, Larche sold CIKZ FM (Kitchener) to Rogers Media. In 2018, he sold the remaining radio assets to Bell Media. In November 2019, Larche received the Ontario Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Award.
“Paul brings with him extensive experience in board governance, seasoned communications skills and expertise helping organizations achieve their strategic plan,” said MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian’s President and CEO. “He has been a generous supporter of Georgian and our students throughout the years ensuring they have a transformative experience in addition to all the tools they need to succeed while they’re here.”
Also new community members to the board this year are Steven Lowe, Investment Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities Inc. in Owen Sound and Mary-Anne Willsey, Operations Oversight at Mariposa Market Stores in Orillia.
Board of Governors membership is appointed through the public sector appointment process and two-thirds appointed directly by the board.
2020-21 Board of Governors
· Chair Paul Larche (Barrie)
· Vice Chairs Marilynn Booth (Wasaga Beach) and Lyn McLeod (Alliston)
· Suzanne Addison-Toor, administrative representative
· Stephen Arsenault of Barrie
· Margot Ballagh of Barrie
· Mark Dorsey, faculty representative
· Christopher Edwards of Midland
· Richard C. Gauthier of Sharon
· Eric Jerome, support staff representative
· Ali Khonsari of Barrie
· Angela Lockridge, Secretary-Treasurer to the Board and Vice President, Student Success and Corporate Services
· Steven Lowe of Owen Sound
· Dianne Martin of Barrie
· Angelo Orsi of Orillia
· Madison Roy, student representative
· Teresa Snelgrove of Shanty Bay
· MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and CEO, Georgian College
· Mary-Anne Willsey of Orillia
source: media release, Georgian College
