When a higher salary and a shot at chancellorship called his name, Dr. Thomas Fallo, president of EC, decided to remain at here.
Four years ago, when the Ventura County Community College District offered him a job, EC’s board of trustees gave him a 14 percent base salary jump, from $174,653 to $199,000.
When Mira Costa offered him a position to be its interim president, Fallo announced this to the administration on Nov. 17, 2008.
Fallo, however, declined the offer.
So far, Fallo is committed to finishing off his career at EC.
Despite this fact, board members have decided to develop a contingency plan with administrators, faculty and the community if Fallo or any other administrators decide to leave unexpectedly in the future.
“Be it later on this year or 10 years from now, when we look for a president, we need to plan for the eventuality,” Ray Gen, board of trustees member, said.
Politics aside, Fallo has expressed his commitment to finishing the goals he and his administration have set forth for EC.
“I love EC. I was a student here,” Fallo said.
Fallo spent a semester as a student in 1966 before returning in 1991 as the campus’ chief business official.
He became superintendent and president in of the college 1995.
Fallo maintains that all job opportunites have come to him, he has never sought outside employent.
“I take him at his word. They approached him. He is one of the premier community college presidents in the state,” Gen said. “He would be a welcome addition to any college that I know of.”
Retirement may be an option for Fallo later, but for now, he is comfortable with his post.
“In the end, I am pleased to stay at EC,” Fallo said.