Former Chronicle Publisher to Lead Centralia College Foundation

Christine Fossett, former publisher of The Chronicle, will start a new role Monday as the foundation director of the Centralia College Foundation.

“I am very excited to expand my role from serving on the foundation board to working full time for the benefit of the college, students and faculty,” Fossett said in a press release. “I feel very passionate about leading a team to generate funds that will assist students in achieving their educational goals. Education and technical training plays such an important role in improving the quality of people’s lives and I am happy to get to play a part in that.”

Julia Johnson, who is the director of donor and alumni relations, will retire in June. Executive Director Steve Ward said Johnson will train Fossett until her retirement.

“When Christine comes in, she will have a little different role,” Ward said. “There are a number of different duties that are more managerial assigned to that (foundation director). She will do everything Julia did, but take on some more responsibilities as well.”

Fossett will supervise an office staff of two full-time employees and many part-time employees.

Ward said the foundation has two separate budgets — the college side and the foundation budget. This role involves reconciling those budgets and planning the cycle of activities to meet the foundation’s goals and objectives.

“As the former publisher of an organization, she has management skills, communication skills and supervision skills that transfer very nicely to this position,” Ward said.

Fossett has served on the foundation Board since 2009. Ward said Fossett understands the relationship between the foundation and the college, and that her previous experience will help her learn the ropes quickly.

“Her circle of contacts and the people she worked with overlap with ours quite well,” Ward said. “We’re excited to bring Christine on into the college family and feel she will help the foundation grow to the next level.”

Fossett resigned as publisher of The Chronicle and president of Lafromboise Communications earlier this month. She was replaced by Michael Wagar.