The Southeast College has announced it has two new board members from Estevan, as well as a new president and CEO.
Brian Pilloud and Josh Biggs were appointed by Tina Beaudry-Mellor, the minister of Advanced Education, to three-year terms on the college’s board. They were welcomed during the first board meeting of the 2019-20 fiscal year on Sept. 11.
Pilloud brings significant insights and experience working in the financial sector. He has more than 30 years of experience working with small to large businesses. He also brings a unique and balanced business background and a broad range of leadership skills.
He is also an active member of his community, serving with organizations such as the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, the Estevan Bruins, the Rotary Club of Estevan and the Estevan Chamber of Commerce.
“My commitment to community based organizations is what helped to drive my interest to work with the Board of Governors of Southeast College,” said Pilloud. “I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience in a new capacity.”
Biggs is a relative newcomer to southeast Saskatchewan, setting up roots with his wife and business partner in 2011. Biggs started his career working with drilling rigs in Alberta. An opportunity arose to go out on his own providing a “new to the market tool” to make drilling operations more efficient.
Biggs’ entrepreneurial spirit and ability to think outside of the box are sure to be an asset to the college board.
“I look forward to working together to continue the great work that Southeast College is doing as well as to looking for areas of growth, diversification and improvement,” stated Biggs.
Pilloud and Biggs replace James Vermeersch and Bernie Bjorndalen. Bjorndalen completed two terms with the college while Vermeersch relinquished his seat to pursue opportunities outside of the college.
“We are very appreciative of the dedication that both Bernie and James have given to the board of governors for the Southeast College,” said board chair Janice Giroux. “We would like extend our sincere thanks to them both for their time, expertise and knowledge that they shared with our board and the college.”
Patrick Stoddart is the new president and CEO. Stoddart’s most recent role as the executive officer for Grassy Narrows Education Authority in Ontario left him responsible for the overall planning, operations and performance of the authority. He has worked in several areas of education in numerous leadership roles such as a director of education, director of programs, dean of student affairs and registrar, dean of institutional planning, dean of academic services and registrar, director of educational and information technologies, and other roles such as member of the reserve artillery.
He was raised in the Maritimes, attended McGill University for his second bachelor’s degree, and attended Concordia University for his master of arts in education.
Through his work with community colleges, he became an expert in strategic enrollment management, has expertise in program development, and is certified as a change management professional working with Indigenous communities with a track record of success.
He also has an extensive background using results management frameworks using balanced scorecards.
His first day will be Oct. 7.
