New chair for Georgian College

Jim Bertram of the Town of The Blue Mountains is the new Chair of the Georgian College Board of Governors, which held its first meeting of the academic year last night. Jim joined the board in September 2012 and served as Vice Chair for two years before being elected as Chair by colleagues on the board.

He has made exceptional contributions to the board as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and Chair of the Nominations Committee. Jim has also been a member of the Executive Committee, Recognition Committee, Strategic Plan Ad-hoc Committee, board mentor, and member of the College Employer Council Governor Review Committee.

"It has been rewarding to see Georgian evolve over the past few years," said Bertram. "With seven campuses and our exciting new partnership with Lakehead University, Georgian is positioned to not only meet the educational needs of students but also to support business and industries with employees who bring the most current skills and expertise to help grow our economy."

Jim is owner of j.r. bertram ltd., a consulting business that provides insight and direction to clients on complex security and workplace issues. He retired from the Peel Regional Police as the Deputy Chief of Police after a 30-year career and joined the fledgling Greater Toronto Airports Authority as director of Public Safety and Security responsible for policing, security, emergency and medical services and fire.

His passion for postsecondary education and serving others extends beyond Georgian. Jim was Chair of Sheridan College's Board of Governors and taught part-time at Humber College. He's currently Chair of the Blue Mountain Community Policing Committee and member of the Georgian Triangle Anglers Association. Jim mentors students through Ten Thousand Coffees – a network-building platform.

Also new to the board this year is Richard C. Gauthier, retired automotive executive; Ali Khonsari, Georgian Business Administration – Marketing graduate and vice president of Image Dental Laboratory; and Angelo Orsi, president of the Orsi Group and former City of Orillia mayor (2010-14).

"Our board is made up of experienced, diverse and dedicated professionals who will continue to ensure the student experience is the best that it can be," noted Bertram. "As a resident of The Blue Mountains, I'm proud Georgian serves all of our communities across the region and I wear my Georgian T-shirt with pride."

2017-18 Board of Governors

· Chair Jim Bertram

· Vice Chairs Brian Davenport (Owen Sound) and Don Gordon (Midland)

· MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and CEO, Georgian College

· Marilynn Booth of Wasaga Beach

· Richard C. Gauthier of Sharon

· David Johnson – administrative representative, Georgian College

· Ali Khonsari of Barrie

· Paul Larche of Barrie

· Angela Lockridge, Secretary-Treasurer to the Board and Vice President, Corporate Services and Innovation, Georgian College

· Andrea Lovering – faculty representative, Georgian College

· Hunter Markle – student representative, Georgian College