Dr. Jorge Gonzalez | Photo by Keith Mumma
Kalamazoo College President Jorge Gonzalez recently joined the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's board of trustees.
"We’re honored to have President Gonzalez join our board," says Carrie Pickett-Erway, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. "His experience covers a variety of areas important to the work of the Community Foundation and we look forward to the perspectives he brings to our board."
Gonzalez, who began his duties at Kalamazoo College in July 2016, says, "I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the Kalamazoo Community Foundation board of trustees. The organization’s dedication to our county and its people is inspiring. Its commitment to diversity, equity and education makes Kalamazoo a better place to live."
He served as vice president for Academic Affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles and dean of the college from 2010 to 2016. Previously, Gonzalez taught at Trinity University in San Antonio for 21 years, where he also served as chair of the economics department.
A graduate of Monterrey Institute of Technology in Monterrey, Mexico, he earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University.
Gonzalez serves on the board of directors of Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, Great Lakes Colleges Association and Southwest Michigan First.
The addition of Gonzalez as an eighth trustee represents the first expansion in the size of the board since 1994, when the board expanded from five to seven members.
"The decision to add an additional seat is part of our intentional work to broaden the range of perspectives and experiences represented on the board," says Pickett-Erway.
Other members of the board include Chairperson Si Johnson, retired executive from Stryker Corporation; Vice Chairperson Frank Sardone, president and CEO of Bronson Healthcare Group; and Trustees Jim Escamilla, president/CEO of Byce & Associates Inc.; Mary Harper, an attorney and former money manager at Robert W. Baird, Inc.; Barbara James, CPA; Amy Upjohn, community volunteer; and the Honorable Carolyn Williams, retired probate court judge.
Non-trustee members of the board include Pickett-Erway as secretary-treasurer and Sharon Brown, executive assistant to the President/CEO, as recording secretary.
August 1, 2017
