Gateway welcomes new board members

Published on Nov 16, 2017

This afternoon at the Gateway Community & Technical College Board of Directors meeting, the board welcomed four new members:  Sonja Adams, Erik Hermes and Charles Sessions, Jr.  and student representative Viviane Johnson.

Adams, Hermes and Sessions were appointed by Governor Bevin. Johnson was selected by her peers. After being sworn in, each new member was introduced and began their service to the board.

"I'd like to thank Joe and Paul for their service to the board. Their expertise was very valuable to our work," said Ken Paul, chair of the Gateway Board of Directors. "As we look to the future, the experiences and backgrounds the new members bring will be important moving forward as a board and college. 

Joseph Craighead, Paul Whalen and Chad Day concluded their service to the board upon the appointment of the new members. These members will be recognized at the December meeting. 

“I'm grateful to our departing members for serving the board and our students," said Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Gateway Community & Technical College president.  "I'm also excited about working with our new board members. Our college is poised to do great things as we partner with the community. Mrs. Adams, Mr. Hermes Ms. Johnson and Mr. Session will be tremendous assets in this endeavor.” 

"I am very pleased to be appointed to the Gateway Community &Technical College Board of Directors," Hermes said. "I look forward to contributing my experience as an employer and business owner to benefit the students, staff, faculty and the community."

“It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Gateway Board of Directors, and I am looking forward to seeing what can be accomplished for the community,” Adams said. “Gateway offers a tremendous opportunity to support a trained workforce, and it is my desire to see the system continue to meet the growing needs of an expanding job market in Kentucky.” 

“I take seriously the opportunity to work collaboratively with educators, business, industry and community leaders to develop an environment and platform for students to reach their full potential,” Sessions said. “This will be the foundation for adding to a strong and vibrant workforce and talent pipeline in our region.”

"I am honored to be Gateway's new Student Board Representative and be of service to the board, the community, and the students as we continue and improve upon Gateway's success," said Johnson. "Thank you for this incredible opportunity!"

The next meeting of the Gateway Board of Directors is Dec. 7.