FVCC trustees select new board member

Taking just a few minutes to deliberate, the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees voted in Jeremy Presta as a new board member on Monday afternoon.

Presta, 38, will be the youngest member of the board. He will fill the position vacated by Bob Nystuen, who had been FVCC board chairman before he was appointed to the Montana Board of Regents in July.

“I’m nervous. And excited,” Presta said. “I know that I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me. I’ve got to make sure I’m prepared and know about the college. I’d like to hit the ground running but I know I’ve got a lot to learn.”

Presta, president and chief executive officer of Parkside Federal Credit Union, did not have the board experience of the other two candidates but said he would make up for it with energy and a willingness to learn.

He has been involved in banking and finance for 17 years. He is married with four children.

Presta will be officially sworn in at the next college board meeting Sept. 28.

Presta will serve until May 2016 and will then have the option to run for the remainder of the three-year term ending in May 2017.

The board also interviewed Connie Leistiko and Terry Kramer for the trustee position.

Leistiko is a former educator and lawyer with experience in Florida, Ohio and Montana. Kramer is a contractor, business owner and former educator.

Reporter Ryan Murray can be reached at 758-4436 or rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.