Gavin Leach, a Northern Michigan University alumnus who has worked at NMU for 36 years—the last 18 as vice president for Finance and Administration–has been appointed NMU's interim president while a nationwide search is conducted for the next leader to fill the role. His appointment was announced at the May 2 NMU Board of Trustees meeting.
“I am truly honored to be given this role, and humbled by the board's confidence in my leadership,” Leach said. “I am dedicated to seeing that the major projects underway are funded and completed, that we continue to navigate successfully through today's political climate, and that the visioning we've initiated to address the enrollment and demographic challenges continues at a high level so that we do not lose ground as the search for the new president takes place. It's been a pleasure to work with Brock [Tessman], and I promise to keep Our Compass, NMU's strategic plan, pointing in the right direction. Most importantly, let me stress that I will continue to work for the success and well-being of Northern's students, faculty and staff.”
Leach has worked directly with eight NMU presidents and more than 30 board members. He said he learned something from all of them that will greatly benefit him in the coming months.
“I would have never dreamed that I would have this opportunity when I was growing up across the street from campus and then attending Northern in the late ‘80s,” he added. “However, I had wonderful faculty and a great education that created a solid foundation for my career. I have now been tied to Northern for 40 years of my life, beginning as a student. My wife, Robin, who I asked out on our first date nearly 41 years ago right in the vestibule of Harden Hall that now connects to Jamrich, will tell you how dedicated I am to Northern, and that I really love my job and my alma mater. My sons Aaron and Garrett, and several other relatives, also hold NMU degrees. This university holds a special place in my family.”
Tessman announced on April 7 that he was leaving Northern to become president at Montana State University, prompting the NMU Board of Trustees to contract with Parker Executive Search to identify potential candidates for his successor.
“There is no question President Tessman will be missed,” said NMU Board Chair Steve Young. “However, it's time to turn the page and start a new chapter. Naming an interim is the first step in that process. Gavin has been a longstanding and well-respected figure on this campus and in the community. He knows the ins and outs of our operation, and is the right person to get us through the transition period until we find a permanent replacement. We look forward to the upcoming search and trust that our faculty, staff and students will work together on a seamless transition.”
As vice president, Leach has developed and led strategies related to annual and long-term planning for NMU's $200 million yearly operating budget. He has also overseen the university's treasury, finance, budget, technology, facilities, dining and auxiliary, financial aid and Health Center operations.
Leach has led several major initiatives at Northern, including the rural broadband Educational Access Network (EAN), which serves 115 rural communities across the U.P., and the notebook computer initiative. He has overseen more than $300 million construction projects at NMU as part of a campus modernization plan. Recently, he co-led an effort that eliminated $761 million in unfunded pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities for the seven Michigan universities required to be part of the MPSERS state retirement program.
Beyond his campus responsibilities, Leach has represented Northern on several national, state and local boards and committees. These include the Merit Corporation, Northern Initiatives Inc., Michigan Universities Coalition on Health Inc. and the Marquette Economic Club. He was previously appointed to two governor commissions: the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission in 2016, the same year he received the Governor's Michigan Digital Government Excellence in Technology Collaborator of the Year Award; and the Michigan Council on Advanced Networks in 2018.
Leach's early career outside of higher education included positions as a senior tax analyst for both Arthur Andersen & Company, and MTS Systems Corporation. After joining Northern in 1989, he ascended through the following ranks of increased responsibility before assuming his most recent role: senior accountant; budget analyst; senior financial analyst; budget director; acting chief financial officer; and associate vice president for Finance and Planning. Leach holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from NMU.
Young said a presidential search advisory committee will be formed in the near future. A listening session where members of the campus community can provide input on the process is planned from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in Reynolds Recital Hall. It will be led by Laurie Wilder, president of Parker Executive Search in Atlanta, Ga., the firm contracted by NMU to lead the search.