Mike Bondi, a longtime staffer with the Oregon State University Extension Service, has been named the interim staff chairman and superintendent at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Ore., effective today. Bondi is replacing former superintendent Clark Seavert, who elected to transfer to the main Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, Ore.

“Mike currently serves as the extension staff chair and forestry faculty member in Clackamas County. In these roles Mike has demonstrated his capacity as a leader, educator and scholar,” OSU Associate Provost Deborah Maddy stated in an e-mail to staff members. “Mike joined the Oregon Extension Service in July of 1978. Over his 32 year career in Oregon, Mike has proven to be an innovator and has set the standard for service and excellence. He is revered by the landowners in his county and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Mike’s energy and passion for the Extension mission, community engagement, and university outreach is demonstrated through a strong, vibrant program; longtime partnerships within the community; and transdisciplinary team approaches to resolving issues.”

Bondi was recently honored for his work by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. He will split his time between the interim superintendent position, his duties as extension staff chair, and his forestry and Christmas tree programs. He is expected to serve as interim superintendent for at least six months. For more information about him, read this short biography (PDF). He can be reached at [email protected].