Chris Bott, a certified professional accountant and owner of Bott & Company in Traverse City, was selected last night to fill the vacancy on the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees following the resignation of former Trustee Cheryl Gore Follette last month. The appointment runs through December 31, 2016.

Bott, a 1983 NMC alumnus, was one of three finalists chosen from 10 applicants at a special board meeting held prior to the board's regularly scheduled meeting.

"I want to give back to what I consider a hidden gem in this community, and one that my nieces, nephews and grandchildren should consider as their first step in their college education," Bott said in his application materials, noting that six of his siblings and his own three children also attended NMC. He said this personal experience with NMC, over two generations, set him apart from other candidates.

Bott has also served on NMC's Business Administration/Accountancy advisory committee since 2004.

The other two finalists for the open board seat were Rachel Johnson, member services & communications manager at Cherryland Electric Cooperative, and Allison Beers, owner of Events North.