Jason Kromm was appointed to North Central’s Board of Trustees in August 2024 to serve as interim trustee, filling a vacant term through December 2026. He chairs the Bylaws & Policy Committee and serves on the Finance & Facilities Committee.

Kromm is the owner of Bear River Electric, a Petoskey-based company that has been pioneering electrical design, build, and home automation in Northern Michigan for 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan.

He and his wife, Maggie, have raised their two children in Petoskey. Committed to giving back, Kromm has been actively involved in the community through coaching youth sports, mentoring robotics teams, and serving as a Boy Scout leader.

As a trustee, Kromm brings his leadership experience, technical expertise, and dedication to education and workforce development to North Central Michigan College.

Keith A. Pretty was appointed to North Central’s Board of Trustees in November 2023. He is chairman of the board and serves on the Finance and Facilities and Bylaws and Policy committees.

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.

After 17 years, Tom recently retired as President and a partner at Birchwood Construction, Inc. a custom home builder based out of Harbor Springs, MI.

Tom started his career after earning a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Hillsdale College, with a 2-year stint in public accounting. He then entered the private sector working in four different industries from textile leasing, the automotive aftermarket, and manufacturing, in positions ranging from Chief Financial Officer to CEO, before finishing his career in Northern Michigan.

Over the years, Tom has given back to the community by serving on the boards of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, Little Traverse Home Builders Association, Perry Farm Village, and presently does strategic planning consulting for local small businesses in the area.

Tom and his wife, Jodi, who is finishing up her career as a 5th grade teacher at Ottawa Elementary School, have two sons who have recently fled the coop and have started their own professional careers!

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Sommers serves as Senior Minister Emeritus of DeWitt Community Church (United Methodist) in Syracuse, NY, retiring in 2021. Throughout his career, Dr. Sommers has integrated spiritual leadership, higher education, and community advocacy, notably serving as Syracuse University Athletic Department Chaplain, working with international students, and chairing InterFaith Works of Central New York.

A strategic, path-finding leader, Dr. Sommers’ career includes roles as Campus Minister at the University of Missouri and pastorates in Farmington Hills and Lansing. His extensive civic commitment includes chairing the Farmington Hills Commission on Children, Youth, and Families, serving on the Farmington Public Schools Strategic Planning Committee, and serving on the Redford Counseling Center Board.

Dr. Sommers earned a B.A. from Anderson University (Indiana), studied Higher Education Administration at the University of Michigan, and holds a Master of Divinity from Central Seminary. He completed a Doctorate in Organizational Renewal through Northern Seminary and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. A passionate advocate for academic freedom and educational access, he and his wife, Kathlyne, reside in Cross Village, actively supporting civic organizations across Northwest Michigan.

Traci grew up in Alpena, attending community college there for one year after high school. The small class size and kind instructors at Alpena Community College created a smooth transition into higher education. This experience created a deep appreciation for having community college as an option. She went on to study dental hygiene at Ferris State University, graduating in 2002.

In 2018, she took her first class through the International Association of Orofacial Myology, and that started a career shift. In January 2019, she opened Orofacial Myology of Northern Michigan. Courses covering new material brought renewed excitement for lifelong learning. In October 2021, she became a Certified Orofacial Myologist.

Traci currently owns and operates Orofacial Myology of Northern Michigan, while working part time as a dental hygienist at Petoskey Pediatric Dentistry.

Outside of work, Traci enjoys family time. She and her husband, Adam, are busy cheering for their three children at various extracurricular activities. When not on the sidelines, she likes to be hiking, at the beach, baking, or enjoying a book.