Durnan new NU Board Chair

Gord Durnan was elected to a one-year term as the Chair of the Nipissing University Board of Governors on August 18 at a special meeting of the Board.
Durnan was appointed to the Board in 2012, as a Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council designate. He has previously served as Board Vice-Chair, Board Vice-Chair Pro Tem and Chair of the Advancement Committee.  Durnan began his career in charities, not-for-profit management and philanthropic leadership in 1968 and, following retirement, has dedicated his time to volunteering. He was the founding Director of the Muskoka Community Foundation in 2007 and a Director of Cottage Country Family Health Team. He represented Gravenhurst as a citizen appointee to Veridian Connections, the local Hydro distribution company.

Durnan has been a Rotarian for 30 years and lives in Gravenhurst. He was named Outstanding Fundraising Executive in 1996 by the Toronto Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  In 1998, he won the Si Seymour Award for bringing honour and prominence to the fundraising profession in North America by the Association for Health Care Philanthropy.

“As Board Chair, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help guide this remarkable university,” said Durnan.  “It is an exciting time in Nipissing’s evolution.  We are celebrating our 25th anniversary and our students, faculty and staff are doing amazing and meaningful work that directly impacts our community.  I’m especially excited to be involved in the launch Nipissing's comprehensive campaign for future excellence.” 

Tom Palangio will serve as Vice-Chair of the Board. Palangio was elected to the Board in 2014. He has served as a member of the Advancement Committee and as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. He has also as a Board Representative on Senate.  His career spans more than 40 years in the explosives industry.  He is an explosives application specialist, consultant and managing director of Popex Inc. Palangio owns and is the President of WipWare Inc. Photoanalyis Systems and owner of Bonfield Group Inc.