Myers Named to Garrett College’s Board of Trustees

New trustee is local business owner and 9th-generation county resident

 Karen Myers, a ninth-generation Garrett Countian who serves as president of Mountaineer Log & Siding Company, is the newest member of the Garrett College Board of Trustees.

“I have endeavored to do my best to make the county better each year, so that my grandchildren and future generations have opportunities to grow up here, receive an excellent education and can choose to live and work here,” said Myers.

“When the opportunity presented itself,” continued Myers, “I felt that serving on the Garrett College Board of Trustees would further enable my aspirations for the next generations.”

Myers’ appointment by Governor Larry Hogan became effective July 1st.  She replaces Vianne Bell, whose 16 years of board service included five terms as chair of the Board.  Bell most recently served as chair from 2014 to 2018.

“I want to thank Vianne for her long-time service to Garrett College as a Board member and her impressive leadership as Board chair,” said Don Morin, the current chair of the Board of Trustees.  “And I want to welcome Karen, whose business acumen and multi-generational commitment to Garrett College will prove valuable to both the Board and the College.”

Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, said he is looking forward to “Karen’s unique understanding of both the county’s business and cultural environment, which will help Garrett College serve the economic and social needs of our community.”

Myers has served since 1979 as president of Mountaineer Log & Siding Company, Inc., which has furnished over 800 log home packages in the Mid-Atlantic area in its 42-year history.  She also works as an Associate Broker for Taylor Made Vacations & Real Estate as a buyer representative in the Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake market area.

Myers was president of Recreational Industries, which owned the Wisp Resort, from 2001 to 2012.  In that role, she was responsible for organizing and leading corporate board meetings, providing liaison between the owners and the general manager of Wisp Resort, legal issues, permitting, lobbying and participative public relations.

Myers, who served on the Board of Directors for First United Bank & Trust, also has an extensive history of community involvement and leadership.

She has served as president, vice president and member of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, as a member of the Maryland Economic Development Commission, and as president and director of the Garrett County Board of Realtors.

Myers also served on the Steering Committee of the Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force.

“I have served on many Boards and organizations, both in the financial services industry and economic development realm,” noted Myers.  “I like to think that I am a creative thinker.

“I don’t know all the issues that higher education faces,” added Myers, noting securing qualified faculty at competitive pay rates is likely high on the list.  “I hope to learn more about all of the issues so that I can participate in developing solutions.”

Myers indicated rural community colleges can serve particularly important roles in their communities.

“I believe that rural community colleges are integral for the local communities to serve their young people and adults,” Myers said, “both as preparatory to 4-year colleges and graduate programs as well as workforce training to assist local businesses to be able to hire skilled employees from the community.”

Myers also has an artist side, having been a member of the Garrett County Community Band, Garrett County Jazz Band, and the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival Board of Directors.

Myers has received numerous awards.  She was both Garrett County Woman of the Year and Garrett County Employee of the Year in 1996, Garrett County Golden Ambassador in 1999, and twice named to the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women of Maryland.

Notes: Morin and Dr. Brenda McCartney were reelected to their fourth one-year terms as chair and vice-chair, respectively, at the Board’s July 20th meeting.