Friday, January 24, 2014
SPRINGDALE — Michael Hamley was appointed interim president of Northwest Technical Institute during Thursday’s board meeting.
Hamley is vice president of finance and operation at the school and a candidate for president. George Burch will retire as president Jan. 31. Burch said he's worked at the school for 25 years and president about eight years.
At A Glance
NTI President Applicants
• Thomas Olson, Academy of Health Care Professionals, San Antonio, school director
• Teresa Dow, Texarkana, Ark., School District, marketing instructor
• James Daye, Leith Jaguar, Cary, N.C., Jaguar brand specialist
• Curtis Shack, Knowledge Is Power Program Delta Public Schools, West Helena, student information administrator
• Akhtar Ali, Physicians Laboratory of America, Little Rock, chief scientist
• Keith Peterson, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, formerly with Nothwest Technical Institute
• Gary Cross, Texas A&M Extension Service, College Station, Texas, agriculture agent
• Randall Owens, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, postdoctoral fellow
• Mary Ramey, Langston University, Tulsa, Okla., adjunct professor
• Renee Deshommes, Fayetteville Public Schools, teacher
• Connie Phillips, Springdale Treatment Center, program director
• Debra Steele, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, assistant professor
• Jeremy Bland, Walgreens, Little Rock, assistant manager
• Blake Robertson, College of the Ouachitas, Malvern, director
• Michael Thompson, Poteau Public Schools, Poteau, Okla., teacher
• Wanda Eash, Arkansas Support Network, Springdale
• Debra Tomlinson, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, clinical operations director
• Robbie Cornelius, Northwest Technical Institute, Springdale, student services coordinator
• Rodney Fry, JB Hunt Transport Services, Lowell, PCS recruiter
• Cortez Smith, Delta Resources Center for Independent Living, Pine Bluff, assistant executive director
• Jason Ervin, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, director of Upward Bound
• Michael Hamley, Northwest Technical Institute, Springdale, vice president of finance
Source: Northwest Technical Institute
John Scott, board president, said Hamley was appointed after the board discussed, in executive session, a possible conflict of interest because of his application for the position. The board decided the interim position is an operational move and wouldn't result in changes at the school. They also decided Hamley’s appointment won’t be considered part of the interview process.
“He has an even chance with every other applicant at this point,” Scott said.
Hamley said he doesn’t think this appointment will affect the process.
“I don’t think this will sway their decision one way or another, and it shouldn’t,” he said.
He's worked at the institute since January 1997.
Scott said he predicts it will take 60 days to review applications and complete interviews. Then it will be another 60 days until the new president starts work. The second 60 days will allow the new president to give notice to their employer and move, if necessary, he said.
Marianne Neighbors, board member, said she wants a president with strong leadership skills and a background in technical education.
“It’s nice to have an experienced person,” she said.
Hamley said he'll be in charge of the duties normally covered by the president, vice president of finance and operations and vice president of instruction until a president is appointed.
“I will try to maintain the school as Dr. Burch has set forth,” he said.
Officials also are hiring a vice president of instruction, Hamley said. Keith Peterson previously held the position, but left to work at NorthWest Arkansas Community College earlier this month.
Hamley said he and Burch have interviewed applicants for the position. Burch said he will announce his selection Monday.