Lethbridge College is pleased to welcome Michael Marcotte as the new chair of the Board of Governors. The Government of Alberta's Ministry of Advanced Education appointed Marcotte to the role of board chair for a three-year term.
Marcotte has nearly three decades of experience owning and operating Alberta restaurants and catering companies – including The Italian Table, Lethbridge’s Moxie’s Grill and Bar, and Prime Catering Company. He is also an active volunteer in the community.
“We’re looking forward to working with Mike on our mission to inspire and facilitate learning and innovation to meet economic and social needs,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “He brings with him a wealth of great experiences and energy. We’ve gotten to know him better recently as he was one of the original members of our External Relations Committee advising the board, and we are eager to work together to lead and transform education in Alberta.”
Marcotte is a Red Seal chef who trained in Saskatchewan and came to Alberta in 1990 to work as executive chef at Moxie’s parent company in Calgary. Over the years, he oversaw many restaurants and franchises, eventually working as owner/operator of several Moxie’s brands, including restaurants in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. In recent years, he developed a new-venture catering company, Prime Catering, which opened in 2013, and a new original concept restaurant in Lethbridge, The Italian Table, which opened in 2018.
“I'm really interested in helping to define the future of education,” says Marcotte. “The world is changing really fast, and the college has a great opportunity to be very nimble in how it responds to the changing economy. Business has never been more dynamic, so we need to be able to respond to that. I think this will be a great way for me to continue to give back to my community and to the college in particular.”
Prime Catering was honoured by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in 2017 with the Spirit of Lethbridge Award for philanthropy and as the 2018 Business of the Year. Recently, Marcotte and Prime Catering were awarded an Inspiring Philanthropy award in the small business category by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southern Alberta Chapter. Italian Table was named Best New Restaurant in Lethbridge’s annual Best of the Best Awards in 2018. Marcotte is active in the community, volunteering for organizations such as the STARS Boots and Roots Gala, Rotary International and the Lethbridge Destination Management Objective.
Marcotte replaces Kristin Ailsby, who stepped down after being appointed a judge on the provincial court in February 2019. The board holds its next public meeting on Oct. 29.
LISTEN: Michael Marcotte, Lethbridge College Board of Governors chair