Foundation Board of Directors

Dawn Bodnar has been a member of the North Central Michigan College Foundation Board of Directors since August 2012. She also serves on the Special Events Committee. 

A graduate of North Central Michigan College, Ms. Bodnar is the Vice President of Marketing and Community Development at Awakon Credit Union in Indian River. Dawn is very active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Cheboygan County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority since November 2012, a director for Top of Michigan Trails Council since December 2014; and of the Great Up North Marketing Alliance since June 2014.  She is the Vice President of the Topinabee Development Association, secretary of the Friends of the Inland Lakes Schools, and serves on the Events Committee for the Indian River Chamber of Commerce.  She enjoys volunteering, boating, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

David Boor is a veteran of the financial services industry, retiring after a successful 40-year career. David completed his educational pursuit at Michigan State University, earning a Master of Business Administration in Finance and undergraduate accolades in marketing. He spent much of his career managing wealth, first at Merrill Lynch as senior vice president of wealth management, then at UBS Financial Services. He received industry recognition by Barron's magazine as a several-year recipient of the “Top 1200 Financial Advisors in the U.S.” distinction.

David has extensive philanthropy experience and service on various boards, including Gleaners Food Bank and the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic. He currently serves on the Michigan Welfare Fund. He is active with several nonprofit organizations, including the Michigan Animal Welfare Foundation, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, and the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic.

In his spare time, David is an avid golfer, boater and bowler.

Max R. Bunker has been a member of the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors for more than two decades. He is currently the Treasurer. He is a retired principal partner in the CPA firm, Bunker, Clark, Winnell & Nuorala.  He began public accounting in 1967 and spent the majority of time in the wealth management area for high net worth individuals.

Mr. Bunker is a graduate of Michigan State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Michigan Association of Certificated Public Accountants, and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Max has provided wise financial counsel to our Foundation Board, serving on the Investment and Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and as board treasurer. In 2013, he was honored with a Founders Society Award.

In addition to his service to North Central, Max served on Petoskey High School’s scholarship committee for three decades, and was the original treasurer for our area’s hospice organization. He has served as hospital treasurer and on the hospital foundation board, as well as president of Northern Michigan Community Mental Health. He has shared his skills in the classroom and on the golf course, volunteering at tournaments for all ages and abilities.

Walter Byers grew up in rural northwest Illinois, graduating from North Central College in Naperville with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics in 1971. He enjoyed a successful 40-plus-year career in bank management and commercial lending in the Ann Arbor/Saline, Mich., area, gaining knowledge in analyzing projects and financing possibilities from a bank perspective. His background also afforded him experience with the processes and discussions necessary to help make sound financial decisions, as well as how to effectively communicate those decisions.

Walter is a solid communicator and team player who believes in the power of listening. He has extensive experience serving on nonprofit and homeowner boards and city commissions. His current involvement includes the Bay View Association Board of Trustees and the HOA of Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai. Additionally, he is a 38-year member of Rotary. Some of Walter’s past involvement on boards includes the Crooked Tree Arts Center, Evangelical Homes of Michigan, the Ann Arbor and Saline Area chambers of commerce, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Saline Planning Commission, the Saline Economic Development Corporation, the Bank of Washtenaw board, and the Saline Rotary Club.

Walter is retired and has lived in Northern Michigan full time since 2016, splitting his time between the Bay View Association (since 1980) and Petoskey. He and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and two grandsons.

Prior to his retirement in 2013, Daniel (Dan) CasaSanta served as President for BorgWarner Thermal Systems, a subsidiary of BorgWarner, Inc. (BWA - NYSE). BorgWarner is a global leader in technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles with facilities in 62 locations in 17 countries.

In retirement, Dan serves as treasurer for the non-profit organization MORC, Inc., in Oakland County, which advocates for long-term supports for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities in Southeast Michigan. He is also vice president for the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s Board of Directors and serves as the Treasurer for Harbor Area Recreation and Entertainment, Inc., a local nonprofit aimed at receiving and disbursing funds for charitable, educational and scientific purposes in the Harbor Springs area. In addition, Dan is an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs.

He and his wife, Linda, are year-round residents of Harbor Springs and spend the summer months in their Bay View cottage.

Ashley DeCarteret is an insurance professional and second-generation agency owner with nearly 25 years of experience in the industry.

Born and raised in Petoskey, DeCarteret graduated from Smith College. She then returned home and took a job at her father’s insurance agency.  After working through almost every position in the agency, she became president and co-owner in 2015.

In 2021, Ashley received the Athena Award from the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce.  She has received the Women’s Resource Center Tribute Award for business in 2018, the Forsetlund Award from the Big I of Michigan for excellence in the insurance industry in 2020, and has been recognized nationally with industry accolades.  She has served and held leadership roles on the boards for the Rotary Club of Petoskey, the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA of Northern Michigan and participates in many local organizations dedicated to helping Northern Michigan thrive.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ashley is also a dedicated wife and mother. She balances her career with her family responsibilities, and her passion for both is evident in everything she does.

Ashley is known for her strategic thinking, her attention to detail, and her ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Her experience and expertise make her a valuable member of the North Central Michigan College Foundation Board, and her dedication to the community ensures that she will be a strong advocate for the organization's mission and goals.

Chris Etienne joined the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors in 2016. Ms. Etienne is an Associate Broker with Harbor Sotheby’s International Realty and Director of Leasing and Community Relations for Bay Harbor Company.

She has had a career in real estate since 2001 and has been in sales for over 25 years, previously as Vice President of Treasury Management Sales for National City Bank.  Chris has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland European Division and an MBA from Lake Superior State University.

In addition to Chris’ love for the real estate industry, she enjoys her involvement in the community.  She is a founding board member of the Bay Harbor Foundation, member of the Rotary Club of Petoskey, board member and administrator for Northwest Michigan Industrial Association.  She is a past board member of Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and Hospice of Little Traverse Bay.  Chris was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in 2011 to serve on the Michigan Women’s Commission and was appointed chair in 2016.  Chris received the Athena Award in 2007 and the Emmet Association of Realtors Realtor of the Year award in 2014. 

Chris’ involvement in Rotary began in 1990 and she served as club president in 1997-98.  Chris has served Rotary at the district level in many capacities and was district governor in 2007-2008.  She has also served in leadership roles, as a committee member and as a training leader at the zone and international levels of Rotary International since 2009.  Chris participated in a National Immunization Day for polio eradication in India in 2004 and in Nigeria in 2015.

 

Dr. David Roland Finley was named president of North Central Michigan College in 2018.  Previously, Dr. Finley  served over two years as the provost and vice president for academic affairs (interim) at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, where he also served as dean of the of the College of Business and Engineering from 2012 to 2018.  Prior to his work at LSSU, Dr. Finley was vice president of academic affairs at Trine University in Angola, Indiana.

Although he began his career as an environmental consultant, Dr. Finley found his niche in academia.  He is driven by a passion that education — and access to education — are the great equalizers, and he is an ardent advocate for campus-wide diversity and cross-cultural experiences.

Dr. Finley received a bachelor's degree in atmospheric and oceanic science and a master's degree in atmospheric science, both from University of Michigan.  He also holds a master's degree and doctoral degree in chemical engineering, both from Wayne State University.

Dr. Finley is a member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the American Society for Engineering Education, the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Tau Beta Pi engineering honorary.

Mr. John Fought has served on the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees since November 2004 and is currently board treasurer.   Mr. Fought is a member of the Personnel Committee, the Foundation Committee, and is chairman of the Finance and Facilities Committee. 

Mr. Fought received his bachelor’s degree from Albion College and his MBA from the University of Michigan.  A retired CPA, he resides in Petoskey.

Chris Morley joined the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors in the fall of 2018. Mr. Morley has lived and worked in Petoskey since 1997. Chris works for American Home Technology as a salesman and the buyer. The company specializes in audio/video distribution, lighting, HVAC control, motorized and manual shades and wireless networks.

Chris has served on the Crooked Tree Arts Center Board of Directors for six years and five years as the Visual Arts Committee Chairman. Chris is currently on the Board of Directors for the Charlevoix Circle of Arts and is Chairman of the Exhibitions committee.

Chris has served on the Board of Trustees for the Morley Family Foundation in Saginaw, MI for 24 years, and serves as their Governance Chairman. He is also the President of the Schroeder Foundation in Roscommon, MI.

Chris is a graduate of Northwood University and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a dual major in management and marketing. He and his wife Liisa enjoy boating, golfing, skiing and hiking all around Northern Michigan.

Sharon Schappacher is an entrepreneur who has run several businesses including a restaurant and a gift shop. After graduating from The University of Akron with a degree in accounting, she worked as a CPA at Peat Marwick Main in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1988, Sharon moved to Mackinaw City to manage and build hotels. She moved to Petoskey in 2000.

In 2020, Sharon received the Athena Award from the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Athena Award celebrates women in leadership roles throughout the community. In November 2022, Sharon was selected by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan to receive the WRCNM Community Service Award at the organization’s annual Tribute event. This award is given to a woman who has shown outstanding achievement as a volunteer to better the community.

Sharon is active in the local SCORE Chapter, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the Petoskey Area Garden Club, the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Petoskey Noon Rotary, Thriving Petoskey, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Women Who Care, the YMCA and Crooked Tree Arts Center.

Sharon is an avid beekeeper and enjoys scuba diving, cooking, playing cards, reading, gardening and traveling. She has two grown children and three grandchildren who live in the Chicago area.

The North Central Michigan College Foundation recently welcomed Dr. James C. Schroeder (Jim) to the foundation Board of Directors. Jim brings to the table years of service in leadership roles in higher education and health care, specifically the areas of fundraising, development and advancement.  The institutions he has served include the University of Illinois, The Ohio State University, the Harvard University Business School, and the Mayo Foundation. 

Dr. Schroeder received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH (1972);  M.A. in Political Science, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH (1969) and a B.A. Political Science, History, Miami University, Oxford, OH (1966).

He actively retired in 2012 and moved to Petoskey, where he and his wife, Kathy, have had a cottage in Bay View for many years.  They have a blended family, with four children and seven grandchildren clustered in the Midwest and in California.  He currently takes on professional consulting engagements and is involved with a number of local nonprofit organizations, serving on boards and informally advising on financial and fundraising matters.

Dr. Stan Smith has been a member of the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors since 2008. He serves on the special events committee. Dr. Smith and his wife, Marilynn, served as co-chairs of The Healthy Investment capital campaign for North Central Michigan College’s Health Education and Science Center in 2012.

There are 13 "doctors" in Stan’s family (11 are veterinarians). His grandfather Smith's title was Professor; his dad was a college professor (Colorado State University, Veterinary); his brother is a medical doctor, and was director of Pathology and Laboratories at Indiana University.

Stan is a medical doctor (University of Iowa '66), president of his medical fraternity, president of his intern class (Hurley Medical Center, Flint), physician for the Naval War College at Newport, RI, residency in Radiology at University of Vermont, board certified Radiologist on staff at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital 1972-2014 (director 3 yrs.), prior member of Board of Directors of Michigan Radiological Society, and current president of the Northern Michigan Medical Society. He is a member of the Rotary Sunrise Petoskey, member of the Homeowners Board of Crooked Tree, member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, volunteer for the American Junior Golfers Association, volunteer host to the National Ski Association at Boyne Highlands.

His wife Marilynn is a certified mycologist who offers workshops through North Central’s Corporate and Community Education department every fall. They reside in Petoskey.

James C. Votruba, Ph.D., is president emeritus and professor emeritus of Educational Leadership at Northern Kentucky University, where he served as president from 1997 until 2012. He served formerly as vice provost for University Outreach and professor of higher education at Michigan State University, dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Binghamton University, and in various administrative and faculty positions at Drake University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jim served from 2012-21 as a full-time faculty member in the NKU educational leadership doctoral program, where he taught courses on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and change, and public engagement. He has served as a faculty member in Harvard University’s Institutes for Higher Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) New Presidents’ Academy. Jim is a senior associate with AASCU Consulting, where he works with presidents and boards on strategic planning and execution, team building and organizational alignment. He also focuses on emerging leaders and considerations related to career effectiveness and advancement.

Jim is active in a broad range of civic, education and nonprofit initiatives. He is on the boards of the Ohio National Life Insurance Company and the Horizon Community Foundation. He is married to Rachel Votruba, who has a long history of active leadership in the nonprofit sector.