Candidate profile: NIC trustee, Mic Armon
Birth date: 11/4/53
Profession: Vice President/Branch Manager Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Educational background: BS Environmental Microbiology, Montana State University, Certified Financial Planner
Public service (elected or appointed offices): Currently serving North Idaho College Trustee (12 years)
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce-Chairman of the Board 2000-01, Coeur d'Alene Rotary, EXCEL Foundation Board of Directors, SD #271 Long Range Planning Committee, Lake City Community Church Honduras Outreach Board
How many years as a resident of your city: 21 years
Marital status: Married to Lauri
Family: Rachel Grady, son-in-law Shane and grandson Drew, Lisa, Michael, Nathan & Elizabeth
Hobbies: Triathlons (3-time Ironman Coeur d'Alene), running, biking, swimming, golf, fly fishing, skiing, just about any sporting activity, especially with my family
1. Why are you running for office?
I have always had a belief in serving our community. I know that NIC has a profound positive impact on so many students. Having an education has provided me with many opportunities and I look forward to helping others receive the same chance of a better life through learning.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
1) Keeping NIC both affordable and accessible, by balancing student tuition and community support.
2) Responding to the changing student population due to both KTEC and the Students Come First plan.
3) Continuing to coordinate with the Chairman of the 2 other Idaho community colleges to offer the students of Idaho the best option for their educational needs.
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
1) I will continue to use my financial experience to structure a budget that provides a quality education, yet keeps the cost to both the student and community reasonable. Since 2007, NIC has had a 45% increase in enrollment. In this time of rapid growth, the tuition only increased by 49% and tax dollars collected for operations increased by 37%.
2) I will use my management background to help lead NIC so that it will be the school of choice for both graduating KTEC and online classes required by the new state plan. I will coordinate with the administration on facilities to ensure both quality and size for professional technical and also offer the rigor and depth for online learning.
3) The past two years I worked with the Chairman of the Board of NIC's two sister community colleges. In that time as a cooperative group we have been able to agree on a better funding formula from the State, improve our distance learning programs, have a common reporting schedule and payment to NIC for students from outside Kootenai County.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
* 34 years of financial and personnel management
* Expertise in managing budgets and balance sheets
* 12 years on the North Idaho College board
* Demonstrated success in board governance
* Participation and leadership in many community business organizations
* Fiscally conservative, engaged listener and accomplished mediator
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I should be elected due to my experience, knowledge and vision. My 12 years on the board have given me the ability to understand the impact NIC has in our area. I have the knowledge of ever changing issues in higher education, while keeping costs affordable for both students and the community. I envision a bright future for NIC.