Trustees of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District today selected Mike Brandy, former district vice chancellor of business services, to serve as interim chancellor pending confirmation of Chancellor Martha Kanter as United States undersecretary of education.
“Mike Brandy brings us a steady hand and deep knowledge of the district at a critical time,’’ said Board of Trustees President Betsy Bechtel. “His competent leadership will go a long way in ensuring a smooth transition and sense of continuity during a time of great challenge for the district.’’
Brandy is well informed about Foothill-De Anza. Until retiring in May 2007, he had served the district for a decade–nearly five years as the district’s vice chancellor of business services and more than five years as vice president of finance and college services at De Anza College. In both positions, he reported directly to Kanter, who was president of De Anza before becoming Foothill-De Anza’s chancellor.
“As interim chancellor, I hope to continue Martha Kanter’s legacy and lay the groundwork for a permanent chancellor taking the helm,’’ Brandy said. “I am honored to be able to serve the district at this important time.’’
During his earlier service to the district, Brandy was widely respected for his strategic fiscal abilities and knack for clearly explaining complex financial matters. He was an early leader in promoting environmental sustainability as part of the campus renovations funded by two voter-approved bond measures, Measure E in 1998 and Measure C in 2006. He oversaw planning for both bond programs as well as the implementation of Measure E, including construction of the Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies, a nationally recognized example of green building. Combined, the two bond measures will fund more than $800 million in improvements to Foothill-De Anza.
Brandy is an accomplished amateur photographer, avid gardener and bicyclist who enjoys an active retirement. He said he has no interest in applying for the permanent chancellor’s job. The district plans a nationwide search to find Kanter’s successor, and trustees hope to have a new chancellor in place by January 2010.
Over the past two years, Brandy has kept his hand in at Foothill-De Anza, providing advice on budget issues and helping the district plan for a partnership with the University of California, Santa Cruz and other higher education partners to develop a research and educational community at NASA Ames Research Park.
“Mike is a highly experienced community college leader who is a strategic thinker and planner, so he is well prepared to help the district address the fallout from California’s fiscal crisis,’’ Kanter said. “He also is deeply committed to student success, and his focus on students will serve the district well.”
Brandy has worked in education for more than 30 years. Before joining Foothill-
De Anza, he spent a decade as business manager of the Los Gatos Union High School District. He also worked for the West Valley-Mission Community College District, serving as vice chancellor of business services.
He holds a master’s of business administration degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from California State University, Northridge. A resident of Scotts Valley, he has been active in the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation and coached girls softball.
Brandy also has served on a number of statewide finance committees and accreditation teams, and held executive leadership positions with the Association of Chief Business Officers (ACBO) and other professional groups. He serves as director of ACBO’s annual eight-day training institute for business services directors in the California community colleges.
At a meeting this afternoon, trustees approved a contract with Brandy through the end of December. Board members thanked him for his willingness to step in at a time when Foothill and De Anza colleges are doing everything possible to accommodate high student demand at a time of sharply declining financial support from the state.
Brandy and Kanter will work together to assure a smooth transition for the district as Kanter awaits a hearing before the United States Senate. President Barack Obama last month announced his intention to nominate Kanter as under secretary of education but a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
May 18, 2009
|
