Following completion of the terms of office of the previous year's board executive, the Holland College Board of Governors elected a new chair and vice chair, President Brian McMillan announced recently. Stan MacPherson assumed the role of board chair and Kathy O'Rourke has become the new vice chair

Stan MacPherson joined the Holland College Board of Governors in 2008, and served as vice-chair of the board for the past two years. He received his chartered accountant designation in 1971 and was designated as a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in 2000. He is currently a senior partner with MacPherson Roche Smith & Associates; and has over 40 years of public accounting, financial and management consulting, teaching and private sector business experience. For the past 31 years, he has been a partner with MacPherson Roche Smith & Associates and its predecessor firms, including Deloitte & Touche, Touche Ross & Company and Ferris MacPherson. He practices primarily in the areas of financial advisory services, management consulting and litigation support. As well, he currently serves as president and chair of the board of Charlottetown Harbour Authority Inc.

A member of the college's board of governors since in 2010, Kathy O'Rourke received her chartered accountant designation in 1993. She is currently a partner with Grant Thornton LLP, a leading Canadian accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. Kathy has over 20 years of experience in public accounting, financial and management consulting. She practices primarily in the areas of assurance and business advisory services, servicing clients in a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality, farming and public sector. She also serves on the board of CAA Atlantic, and is past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Prince Edward Island.

President Brian McMillan said that, given the excellent leadership of the executive and board of governors, he is confident that the college is well prepared to continue to roll out some of its most ambitious projects.

"The college has been experiencing significant growth recently as it continues its quest to be a leader in post-secondary education. The role of the board of governors is more important than ever as we move forward. I know that Mr. MacPherson and Ms. O'Rourke will serve the college, its students, and staff well, and I look forward to working with them," he said.

The Holland College Board of Governors is comprised of representatives from the college's staff and students, and from the community. The formulation, review and adoption of policies and regulations are the primary methods by which the board exercises its leadership in the governance of the college. In addition, board members have fiduciary responsibilities for college finances. As advocates for Holland College, board members enhance the college's reputation by promoting the college in their day to day business activities.