Three Executives Promoted at BCC

March 6 2012, Brevard County, FL – With an eye toward future growth and quality enhancements, Brevard Community College President, Dr. Jim Richey, recently announced the promotion of three of his staff members – Dr. Linda Miedema, Mr. Richard Laird, and Mr. Mark Cherry.

"Dr. Miedema, Mr. Laird and Mr. Cherry are well-deserving of these promotions," said BCC President, Dr. Jim Richey. "The depth of experience, leadership and professionalism each of them brings to their new roles will serve the college extremely well as we move forward. I'm proud to have them on my team."

Dr. Miedema, who has been serving as Interim Vice President of Planning and Assessment, will now serve as permanent Vice President for Planning and Assessment.

Reporting directly to the President, Dr. Miedema will continue to develop and implement a college-wide model for strategic planning initiatives, quality enhancement and assessment methods.

She will also continue to serve as BCC's liaison with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional accreditation body for higher-education institutions in the Southern states.

Recruited by the college in 2001 as Assistant Professor of Nursing, Dr. Miedema also served as a Dean, and as Provost of the Titusville Campus. Before joining the staff at BCC, Dr. Miedema was a registered nurse and hospital administrator in both Florida and Michigan.

Mr. Laird, who has been serving as Chief Operations Officer, will now serve as Vice President of Financial and Technical Services.

In this new position, he will report directly to the President and will be responsible for budget development, financial analysis, planning and forecasting, investment management, and audit management.

He will also oversee a number of departments including Information Technology, Facilities Management, and the BCC Foundation.

Mr. Laird has an impressive background in private sector business, helping launch and lead companies in the high technology fields from 1983 until his arrival at BCC in 2008. He served as president of Emerging Business Network and Central Florida Innovation Corporation, an investment banking and consulting firm devoted to creating high technology companies in Central Florida.

He is credited for helping to direct the birth of a Lockheed Martin e-learning technology program. He was President and CEO of Infinite Networks Inc., and also was President and CEO of Relm Wireless Corporation, turning around a company that made wireless communication products.

A graduate of Heidelberg College, Laird earned an M.B.A. from Monmouth University, where he later served a as member of the Monmouth University Board of Trustees.

Mr. Cherry, who served as Associate Vice President for Financial Services, has been named the     College's Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to his recruitment by BCC in 1998, Cherry served as Controller of Tallahassee Community College, planning and overseeing income and expenditures throughout the institution. Prior to that he served as Assistant Director for Contracts and Grants, as well as other finance-related positions, at Florida State University.

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population in quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities which
successfully meet individual and community needs.