MCCC trustees elect new officers for 2019

The Montgomery County Community College Board of Trustees has elected its new officers for the 2019 calendar year.

Frank X. Custer of Upper Gwynedd Township was unanimously elected as the new board chairman. Appointed to the board in 2017, he has served on both the Physical Plant Committee and Personnel Committee.

“I’m humbled and honored to serve in this role as chair,” Custer said following the election. “There is an immense amount of talent around the board table, and I hope to use all those talents as we move forward this year with our work for the college.”

Custer has a wealth of leadership and public and government relations experience. Most recently, he was the director of communications for Montgomery County from 2012 to 2016. He previously was co-owner of FrankLee Speaking, LLC, a government and public relations consulting firm.

Custer also served as press secretary and senior advisor to former U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University and served in the U.S. Navy.

In addition to Custer being named board chairman, the board elected Lisa B. Binder of Whitpain Township as vice chairwoman, Margot Clark of Hatboro as secretary, Marcel L. Groen of Abington Township as treasurer and Theresa Reilly of Abington Township as assistant secretary. Richard Montalbano, who held the position of board chairman for the past two years, will continue serving on the board.

“I would like to thank Rich for his service and leadership, and I look forward to working with Frank and the board in our work to advance the mission of the college,” said Montgomery County Community College President Dr. Kevin Pollock.

In accordance with the Community College Act of 1963, the college is governed by a 15-person Board of Trustees, whose members are appointed by the Montgomery County Commissioners to six-year, renewable terms. The board sets policies to advance the college’s mission and is responsible for policies that affect curriculum, student access and college administration; approving and monitoring operating and capital budgets; setting tuition and fees; hiring and evaluating the president; overseeing property management and approving vendor contracts.

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collective legal experience.

“Our process is non-partisan,” explained Smith, who co-chairs the committee with lawyer Michael C. Shields.

The county’s political parties will announce their own endorsements for the judicial seats later this year.

The Montgomery County Democratic Committee will hold its annual candidate endorsement convention on Feb. 21.

The Montgomery County Republican Committee will endorse a slate of candidates during its convention on March 14.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Frank X. Custer of Upper Gwynedd Township was unanimously elected as the chairman of the Montgomery County Community College Board of Trustees.