Brian C. Dissette appointed to Board of Trustees

Brian C. Dissette was sworn in as a member of Lake Michigan College’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

The Berrien County Administrator and former City Manager of South Haven and Watervliet was appointed Trustee at Large by the Board to finish the term of Dr. Michael Lindley, who moved to Indianapolis.

“I hope to connect local governments with Lake Michigan College, creating a pipeline that fills the need for public servants and the need for our graduates who are ready to join the workforce,” Brian said. “I’ve worked in city and county government, and we all face a need for staff. It’s for public works. It’s for the police. It’s for fire. It’s every department.”

A South Haven native, and 1995 South Haven High School graduate, Brian has a long history of public service. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.

In 2002, after serving as an intern with the Berrien County Economic Development Department, Brian was named City Manager of Watervliet, where he served until 2006. He spent the next two years as Assistant City Manager in his hometown of South Haven. In 2008, Brian became South Haven’s City Manager, overseeing more than $50M in capital improvements over the next 12 years.

Since 2020, he has served as Berrien County Administrator, implementing policy decisions from elected officials across every department and operating a $140M annual budget.

“As a member of LMC’s Board of Trustees, I want to listen as much as possible,” Brian said. “I’ve witnessed the value LMC provides in a variety of training. I hope my involvement with the Board helps those services continue to grow not only in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor but to our Niles and South Haven campuses as well.”

Brian’s term on the Board of Trustees ends Dec. 31 unless he is elected to a new term in November.