Applications for trustee vacancy due
TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Trustee Chris M. Bott after he resigned from his position this week.
Citing personal reasons, Bott announced Monday/June 9 he is stepping down from the board effective immediately. In a letter to Board Chair Laura Oblinger, Bott wrote, “Serving on the board has been a privilege and I will miss it. The opportunity to give back to the college that helped me and many in my family take their first steps to higher education has been rewarding.”
Bott was appointed in May of 2015 to fill a Board of Trustee term vacancy, elected to a six-year term in 2016, and re-elected in 2022. During his tenure he served as Chair for three years, from January 2019 to January 2022, as well as a member of the Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors.
He is also a 1983 NMC graduate, earning an associate degree in accountancy. Bott’s six siblings also earned their associate degrees from NMC, as did his three children. He is a partner at Hofstra, Bott & Kraft , P.C., Certified Public Accountants.
“NMC is better because of Trustee Bott's decade of service,” Oblinger said. “His tenure as board chair spanned both a college presidential transition and the pandemic. His capable leadership and passionate dedication as an alumnus helped NMC move forward. We thank him and wish him all the best.”
Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position. Registered voters of Grand Traverse County are eligible to apply for the vacancy and online applications are encouraged. Commitments for the non-compensated trustee position include but are not limited to the following:
- Regular board meeting, typically the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
- Board study sessions and committee meetings scheduled as required
- Annual Board retreat—sometimes overnight
- Participation in other college functions including commencement, receptions, ceremonies, events
- Travel periodically for purposes of professional development and representing the college at various state and national association meetings. Trustee travel is paid by NMC.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and materials explaining their qualifications for the position via online submission. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. June 19, 2025. In addition to online submission, they may be emailed to lmoritz@nmc.edu or sent or delivered to:
Trustee Search
Office of the President
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Application materials are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interviews will be conducted in public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
At their next regularly scheduled meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m. June 23 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center room 106/107 and via livestream, trustees will interview candidates and vote to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election, set for November 2026. At that time, voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Bott, which expires December 31, 2028.
Additional materials are available upon request and questions may be directed to the President’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: June 10, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)