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NCMC Board of Trustees

North Central Michigan College's seven trustees are elected by Emmet County voters and have general supervision of the college. Trustees serve without compensation for a term of six years.


Board of Trustees Bylaws

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The bylaws set forth rules and procedures for the Board's function and government.

Board Bylaws

Board Meeting Information

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View upcoming meeting dates and agendas as well as minutes from past meetings.

Meeting Information

Meet The Trustees

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Learn more about the seven individuals who serve on North Central's Board of Trustees.

Trustee Profiles


Board of Trustees - Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Election Results

North Central Michigan College congratulates James Shirilla and Keith Pretty on their re-election to our Board of Trustees and extends a warm welcome to newly elected trustee Janelle Wozniak. Together, these individuals bring a wealth of experience and dedication to help shape the future of our college and the communities we serve.

We also honor and thank Trustee John Fought for his remarkable 20 years of service. As Board Treasurer and a key member of the Finance and Facilities Committee, John has been integral to the financial stewardship and development of our campus. His commitment and leadership leave a lasting legacy.


John Fought, Trustee
Incumbent
Photo of John Fought

John Fought has been a member of the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees since November 2004 and currently serves as the board's treasurer. He is a member of both the Foundation Committee and the Bylaws & Policy Committee, while also chairing the Finance and Facilities Committee. Throughout his tenure, Fought has guided NCMC through several major projects, including the construction of the Health Education and Science Center, the library renovation, and the expansion of the Administration/Classroom Building. He also played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked closely with CFO Tom Zeidel to secure a $6M bond for the Career and Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) project and participated in a debt refinancing initiative in 2017. Outside of his board service, Fought has contributed to the Petoskey community in various ways, including more than 35 years as the filmer for the Petoskey varsity football team. From the mid-1980s until his 2018 retirement, Fought captured games from what he called the “best seat in the house,” developing a passion for high school football and traveling across Michigan to film both home and away games. His dedication extended to helping shape improvements in the filming process, including the creation of a film booth atop the Curtis Field press box. Fought's love for football and commitment to the community were integral parts of his volunteer work, where he took pride in being part of the team and contributing to the success of the program. Fought earned his bachelor’s degree from Albion College and his MBA from the University of Michigan. A retired CPA, he resides in Petoskey. He is excited to continue using his experience and dedication to contribute to the growth and success of North Central Michigan College as a member of the Board of Trustees.

 

Dr. James Shirilla, Trustee Incumbent
Photo of James Shirilla

Dr. James Shirilla has been a member of the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees since January 2012. He earned his bachelor's degree from Oakland University and later graduated from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. Now retired, Shirilla resides in Springvale Township, having practiced medicine for many years. On the Board of Trustees, Shirilla currently serves on the Curriculum Committee and is the chairman of the Personnel Committee. Throughout his tenure, he has helped guide the college through significant initiatives, including the construction of the Health Education and Science Center, the library renovation, and the expansion of the Administration/Classroom Building. In addition to his service on the board, Shirilla is a proud member of Petoskey’s Sunrise Rotary Club, which supports area food pantries through its annual Venison for Manna initiative. This program covers the processing fees for deer harvested and donated by local hunters, ensuring that the Manna Food Project has a consistent supply of protein to distribute to families in need. Shirilla’s commitment to the community extends to his direct involvement with the Manna Food Project, where he actively supports its mission to fight hunger across Northern Michigan. “I am privileged to serve the community as its representative, working closely with the dedicated faculty and administration at the college," Shirilla said. "Our common goal is to offer educational opportunities for the residents of Northern Michigan and see the college grow.” Dr. Shirilla is excited to continue using his experience and dedication to contribute to the growth and success of North Central Michigan College as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Janelle Wozniak, Trustee Candidate
Janelle Wozniak

Janelle A. Wozniak, MSN, RN, is a proud Northern Michigan native with a deep-rooted passion for the nursing profession and education. With an impressive 18-year tenure at the Mayo Clinic, she has excelled in various roles, including as a Registered Nurse (RN) in progressive and intensive care, a Nursing Professional Development (NPD) practitioner in Medical Cardiology, and as adjunct faculty for clinicals and high-fidelity simulation at Winona State University in Minnesota. In August 2021, Janelle returned from a significant 18-month assignment in Abu Dhabi, where she supported a Mayo Clinic joint venture during the challenging times of the pandemic. This international experience enriched her perspective and reinforced her dedication to innovative healthcare solutions. Currently, Janelle continues her impactful work at Mayo Clinic as an NPD practitioner, overseeing multiple organization-wide departmental nursing education programs with a focus on mentorship and leadership development. Her ability to work remotely allowed her to relocate back to Northern Michigan in November 2023, bringing her closer to family. Janelle strives to be a positive influence on the future of the nursing profession and is dedicated to expanding post-secondary education opportunities in the beautiful region of Northern Michigan. She aims to be an engaged community member, networking with leaders, educators, and other professionals to ensure the needs of students remain the primary focus. In her spare time, Janelle enjoys the company of family and friends, and her mini golden doodle, Ginger. She is passionate about coffee, home renovations, yard projects, board games, and exploring the myriad adventures that the tip of the mitten has to offer. Janelle believes she has much to contribute to the community and is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the Board of Trustees.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.,Trustee Incumbent
Keith Pretty

Keith A. Pretty was appointed to North Central’s Board of Trustees in November 2023. He serves on the Personnel and Bylaws and Policy committees. Mr. Pretty joined Northwood University as President and CEO on October 2, 2006, and retired as President Emeritus on August 1, 2019. He arrived at Northwood from Walsh College, where he served as president for seven years. Prior to Walsh, he was Vice President for external affairs and General Counsel at Western Michigan University and President and CEO of the Western Michigan University Foundation. Prior to his service at WMU, Pretty held executive roles in the private sector with the Standard Oil Company (Indiana). Pretty earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University and a juris doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is the recipient of many awards and commendations and has served on numerous boards and commissions in both the public and private sectors. Keith and his wife live in Harbor Springs and have four adult children.