Nick Brege appointed to AMA ESD board
Trending
ALPENA -- The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education on Thursday selected a new board member from among two candidates interviewed via videoconferencing software Zoom.
The board appointed Nick Brege, Alpena Community College's director of facilities, to fill the vacant seat. United Way Director and ACC Trustee Joe Gentry also applied for the position.
The seat became vacant last month when Richard Matteson resigned after serving on the board for the last 12 years.
Brege will finish out the remainder of Matteson's term, which expires at the end of June 2021. He will have to go through a formal nomination process to continue serving on the board after that.
Board Vice President Lee Fitzpatrick, who nominated Brege for the position, said that, while he respected both candidates, it was Brege's skill set that stood out.
"I feel, in the next six months, the knowledge Nick has in terms of facilities is an urgent, urgent need," Fitzpatrick said. "That's the only thing I can think of that can separate the two of them."
Pied Piper School is currently undergoing renovation.
During his interview, Brege said he wanted to serve on the board because he is passionate about education and connects with the mission statement of the AMA ESD.
"I also think that my skills and expertise and experiences as a facilities director in the education field may be of some benefit to the ESD and to the board with those types of issues," he said. "I think I could bring some value in those areas."
He said that, anytime one can align experiences, knowledge, and things they are passionate about with a worthy cause, it is a good fit.
Gentry said there were no hard feelings regarding the board's decision and spoke highly of Brege's skills.
"If I had known Nick was going to put his name in, you wouldn't have gotten my application," Gentry said.
Fitzpatrick said he was thankful both candidates applied and encouraged Gentry to consider applying the next time there is a vacancy on the board.
Brege was subsequently sworn in by AMA ESD Executive Administrative Assistant Lisa Krey.