Meet NIC's VP candidates

There is some serious competition to become North Idaho College's next vice president for finance and business affairs.

The job has been open since Ron Dorn's retirement in 2013.

Finalists include a former state senator with an education background, the college's longtime controller - who has worked with NIC's finances for more than a decade - and two candidates from outside Kootenai County who each have experience in college finance leadership.

On separate days, beginning Monday, the college will hold two open forums for each candidate, one in the morning, from 10:30 to 11:30 and another in the afternoon, from 2-3.

The forums will be held in the Edminster Student Union Building on NIC's main campus in Coeur d'Alene. The public is welcome to attend all forums. Following the forums, feedback will be gathered at www.nic.edu/feedback.

Monday

Candidate: Chris Martin from Olathe, Kan.

Martin has served as vice president for finance and administration at Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, Kan. since 2013. Prior to that role, he was the director of administrative and financial services at The Art Institutes-Kansas City in Lenexa, Kan. from 2010 to 2013. He holds a Master of Business Administration in strategic leadership from Amberton University in Texas and a bachelor's degree in accounting and financial management from Abilene Christian University in Texas.

Martin's forums will take place in the NIC SUB, Lake Coeur d'Alene Room.

April 23

Candidate: Jim Hammond, Coeur d'Alene

Hammond currently works for JH Benefits. He was an Idaho state senator from 2006 to 2012, Post Falls city administrator from 1996 to 2006 and served as mayor of Post Falls from 1990 to 1996. Prior to serving these roles, Hammond was a public school administrator in Washington and Idaho from 1977 to 1996. He holds a master's degree in education administration from Whitworth University in Spokane and a bachelor's degree in public administration from Carroll College.

Hammond's forums will take place in the NIC SUB, Lake Coeur d'Alene Room.

April 24

Candidate: Rich Gibb, Moscow

Gibb was the chief financial officer at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, from 2004 to 2008 and formerly served as the director of facilities planning, construction and maintenance at Eastern Washington University in Cheney and Spokane. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Eastern Washington University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Indiana University.

Gibb's forums will take place in the NIC SUB, Driftwood Bay Room.

April 29

Candidate: Sarah Garcia, Post Falls

Garcia is currently the controller at North Idaho College, a position she has held since 2003. Prior to NIC, she was the accounts payable manager at Worldwide Packets from 2000 to 2003. She holds a Master of International Management/MBA degree from the American Graduate School of International Management and a bachelor's degree in social science from the University of California-Berkeley.

Garcia's forums will be held in the NIC SUB, Driftwood Bay Room.