Tom Harding

Seeking re-election to three-year term representing Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Whitefish high school districts on FVCC board.

Occupation: retired; incumbent trustee.

Background/Education: Born in Whitefish. Attended the University of Montana before serving in the Vietnam War. Managed his family’s building materials business until 1992 when it was sold. Finished his working career at Home Depot. He has served as a college trustee since 1990.

Reason for Running: Harding said he brings 21 years as a trustee and experience as a small business owner to the duty of setting policy for the community college. He has seen the college grow from 400 to 450 full-time-equivalent students to more than 2,100.

Harding says he brings a long view of the institution and creates institutional memory.

He said he wants to balance the interests of the taxpayers with those of students, staff and administration in a fair manner. Harding wants to pursue excellence in all programs from welding technical education to the Scholars program.