Trustee Profiles

Keith A. Pretty, J.D., Chair

Keith A. Pretty was appointed to North Central’s Board of Trustees in November 2023. He is chairman of the board and serves on the Finance and Facilities and Bylaws and Policy committees.

Pretty joined Northwood University as President and CEO on October 2, 2006, and retired as President Emeritus on August 1, 2019. He arrived at Northwood from Walsh College, where he served as president for seven years. Prior to Walsh, he was Vice President for external affairs and General Counsel at Western Michigan University and President and CEO of the Western Michigan University Foundation. Prior to his service at WMU, Pretty held executive roles in the private sector with the Standard Oil Company (Indiana).

Pretty earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University and a juris doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

He is the recipient of many awards and commendations and has served on numerous boards and commissions in both the public and private sectors.

Keith and his wife live in Harbor Springs and have four adult children.

Term expires December 31, 2026

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Chris Etienne, Vice Chair

Chris Etienne was appointed to the Board of Trustees in June 2022. She serves on the Personnel Committee and is a liaison to the NCMC Foundation. She has served on the NCMC Foundation Board of Directors since 2016.

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 more than 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 has been a member of the Rotary Club of Petoskey since 1991, served as club president in 1997-98, and has served at the district level in many capacities, including as district governor in 2007-2008. She has 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 is currently serving on the Rotary International Board of Directors for a two-year term from 2024-2026. She has participated in a National Immunization Days for polio eradication in India in 2004 and in Nigeria in 2015.

She is a past board member of Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and Hospice of Little Traverse Bay. Chris was appointed by Gov. 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. 

Term expires December 31, 2028

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John Fought, Treasurer

Mr. John Fought was appointed to the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees in January 2026 to serve as interim trustee, filling a vacant term through December 2026. He previously served on the board from 2004 until 2024.

Mr. Fought is currently treasurer of the board and is a member of the Foundation Committee and chairman of the Finance and Facilities Committee. During his tenure, Fought helped guide NCMC through major projects, including construction of the Health Education and Science Center, the library renovation, and the Administration/Classroom Building (now the Borra Learning Center) expansion. He also supported the college during COVID-19 and helped secure funding for the Career and Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) project.

Outside of his board service, Fought has long contributed to the Petoskey community, including more than 35 years as the filmer for the Petoskey varsity football team.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Albion College and an MBA from the University of Michigan. A retired CPA, he resides in Petoskey.

Term Expires December 31, 2026

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Melissa Keiswetter, Secretary

Appointed to the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees in July 2015, Melissa Keiswetter serves as board secretary.

Melissa has a history of dedication to education.  Coming from a family of educators, she has been an elementary school teacher, a high school special education teacher, and a volunteer in several school settings. Melissa is a member of the Curriculum Committee and also the trustee representative to MCCA, serving on this organization’s board of directors.

During the period from 1999 to 2020, Melissa was an active director of the NCMC Foundation, serving on the executive committee, the annual giving committee, and the special events committee, among others.  In 2013, Melissa and her husband, Paul, served as co-chairs of the capital campaign for the building of the Jack and Dorothy Harris Health Education and Science Center.  In 2014, Melissa, Paul, and his company, Petoskey Plastics, were honored with the Founder’s Society Award. 

Along with dedication to the college, Melissa has committed herself to many community endeavors, including serving on boards of the Crooked Tree Arts Council, Hestia Women’s Giving Circle, and others.  She and Paul support several community philanthropies to enhance the quality of life in northern Michigan, with an emphasis on youth and on education.

Melissa lives in Petoskey and has two “gift children,” two natural children, and three grandchildren.

Term Expires December 31, 2028

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Jason Kromm, Trustee

Jason Kromm was appointed to North Central’s Board of Trustees in August 2024 to serve as interim trustee, filling a vacant term through December 2026. He chairs the Bylaws & Policy Committee and serves on the Finance & Facilities Committee.

Kromm is the owner of Bear River Electric, a Petoskey-based company that has been pioneering electrical design, build, and home automation in Northern Michigan for 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan.

He and his wife, Maggie, have raised their two children in Petoskey. Committed to giving back, Kromm has been actively involved in the community through coaching youth sports, mentoring robotics teams, and serving as a Boy Scout leader.

As a trustee, Kromm brings his leadership experience, technical expertise, and dedication to education and workforce development to North Central Michigan College. 

Term expires December 31, 2026

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James Shirilla, M.D., Trustee

Dr. James Shirilla has been a member of the North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees since January 2012. He earned his bachelor's degree from Oakland University and later graduated from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. Now retired, Shirilla resides in Springvale Township, having practiced medicine for many years.

On the Board of Trustees, Shirilla is the chairman of the Curriculum and Personnel committees. Throughout his tenure, he has helped guide the college through significant initiatives, including the construction of the Health Education and Science Center, the library renovation, and the expansion of the Administration/Classroom Building.

In addition to his service on the board, Shirilla is a proud member of Petoskey’s Sunrise Rotary Club, which supports area food pantries through its annual Venison for Manna initiative. This program covers the processing fees for deer harvested and donated by local hunters, ensuring that the Manna Food Project has a consistent supply of protein to distribute to families in need. Shirilla’s commitment to the community extends to his direct involvement with the Manna Food Project, where he actively supports its mission to fight hunger across Northern Michigan.

“I am privileged to serve the community as its representative, working closely with the dedicated faculty and administration at the college," Shirilla said. "Our common goal is to offer educational opportunities for the residents of Northern Michigan and see the college grow.”

Term expires December 31, 2030

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Janelle A. Wozniak, MSN, RN, Trustee