WOODLAND HILLS : College Foundation Gets New Chairman

The administrator of Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills has become chairman of the Foundation for Pierce College, with a pledge to improve contacts between the financially struggling school and the nearby community.

The confirmation of James L. Breeden as chairman and Olson Farms President Peter D. Olson as vice chairman comes as Pierce faces what has been called its worst financial crisis.

Breeden acknowledged that the school’s problems are a bit daunting.

“I’m normal, I’m scared, I’m a realist,” Breeden said. “Enrollment in community colleges is down, and funding is going to be more and more of a challenge. What we have to do is focus on the needs of the school as a community resource.”

Rather than raising funds for salaries, the Foundation for Pierce College gathers financial support for facilities, materials and the development of programs, he said.

Breeden is expected to take the lead in efforts to upgrade the college’s fitness center for use by Pierce students and local residents.

As head of one of California’s largest egg companies, Olson may be tapped to use his ties with the agricultural community to benefit the Pierce College farm, foundation Executive Director Esther Kenyon said.

She said Breeden has also recruited four other high-profile community members to serve on the board in place of six retiring members: Dan Brothman, president of West Hills Regional Medical Center; John Savage, president of Amwest Surety Insurance Co.; James J. Wilk, vice president of human resources at Health Net, and Joe Marquette, a cinematographer and Pierce alumni activist.

“As with any organization, you want to always recruit upward to get higher-profile people because of their networking capabilities,” Kenyon said. “They are going to be our ambassadors to the community.”