TRUSTEE: Nilson, Ketchum qualified

Each of the NIC trustee candidates has special qualifications but in my judgment, Robert Ketchum and Ron Nilson stand out as most appropriate for the current challenges at NIC.

Robert Ketchum has a PhD in professional/technical education and led the NIC workforce-training program for more than a dozen years. His programs have trained thousands of North Idaho workers in new skills. Robert believes one of the unique strengths of the NIC professional/technical program is provided by its academic staff. In a recent forum he said, "Mathematics, science and other subjects are all needed by properly educated workers. NIC fulfills this need."

Ron Nilson, a community leader on the approved KTEC high school, is CEO of Ground Force Manufacturing and is also chairman of the North Idaho Manufacturing Consortium, a group of 45 employers. "We need to offer our children the opportunity to have a very comfortable life in Idaho. They just need the technical skills required by local employers. NIC can serve these young men and women in addition to those who want to advance to a four-year college degree."

Ketchum and Nilson have both worked with employers in the North Idaho economy. Jointly they say, "NIC has a special responsibility to train more nurses and technicians for our medical services industry, diesel and auto mechanics, skills for a variety of trades and certified mechanics for our emerging aircraft manufacturing and services industry. NIC can do this while it continues to offer accredited college prep courses for which it's highly respected." Their election as NIC Trustees will serve the entire North Idaho community very well.

FRANK N. HENDERSON

Post Falls