The Utah System of Higher Education is searching for the next president of Tooele Technical College. An eight-member committee will lead the search process, conducted under authority delegated by the Utah Board of Higher Education.
The committee is charged with identifying exceptional candidates who will advance Tooele Tech’s mission to provide rewarding, competency-based, affordable and accessible career preparation for youth and adults to meet the needs of Utah’s industries and employers.
Tooele Technical College Board of Trustees Chair Lori Haines-Little will chair the Tooele Technical College Presidential Search Committee. The committee brings together voices from across the Tooele Tech community, including representatives of Tooele Tech’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators and community leaders.
“This search is an important opportunity to build on Tooele Technical College’s strong partnerships with industry and our community and its impact on students preparing for meaningful careers,” said Lori Haines-Little, chair of the Tooele Technical College Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee chair. “We are committed to a comprehensive process that will identify and advance strong finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which will make the final presidential selection.”
The following individuals will serve on the Tooele Technical College Presidential Search Committee:
| Tooele Technical College Board of Trustees | |
| Lori Haines-Little | Chair and Search Committee Chair; Plant Manager, Carlisle Construction Materials |
| Lynn Jeffers | Vice Chair and Search Committee Member; Plant Operations Manager, After Market Solutions/Daimler Truck |
| David Douglas | Trustee; Customer Success Engineer, Adobe |
| Tooele Technical College Administration, Faculty and Staff | |
| Kent Thygerson | Interim President |
| Kimberly Rice | Recruitment & Placement Specialist |
| Gary Snow | Diesel Technology Instructor |
| Alumni Representative | |
| Ty Dobmann | 2025-26 Tooele Tech Student of the Year – Police Academy; Deputy, Tooele County Sheriff’s Office |
| Community Member | |
| Kendall Thomas | Tooele County Council Member, District 2 |
The presidential search process is being conducted confidentially to attract the strongest and most qualified pool of candidates. The search committee will review applications, conduct interviews and recommend three prioritized finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which will make the final selection in an open and public meeting. To protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of candidates, no information about applicants or finalists will be shared publicly until the selected candidate is officially announced.
“Tooele Technical College plays a critical role in developing the skilled workforce that supports our region’s growth,” said Kendall Thomas, Tooele County Council Member. “This process will reflect the voices of students, faculty, staff, industry partners, and community leaders as we seek a president who will strengthen outcomes for students and expand opportunity across the region.”
This announcement follows Tooele Technical College President Paul Hacking’s decision to retire after eight years of service. The Utah Board of Higher Education appointed Kent Thygerson as interim president to provide continuity and leadership during the transition period.