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Board Member Profile: GCEDC President Dr. Leas

Dr. Terry Lease

Dr. Terry Lease

Dr. Terry Leas has been interested in area economic development as well as workforce education since he arrived in Grant County.

Leas became the Grant County Economic Development Counsel’s 2018 president and he brings tremendous value to the EDC with his knowledge of workforce development and education; an important initiative of the 2019-2023 Building Prosperity Campaign. “The Grant County EDC is the economic hub that facilitates coordination among public and private organizations in the multiple communities to ensure relevant workforce training and education, economic development, and a better quality of life for all of us in Grant County.”

Leas has devoted his professional life to education at all levels. He taught at a public middle school in Georgia, private two-year Thomas College (GA), Yakima Valley Community College, and taught graduate students at Florida State University. Besides his teaching experience, Leas has served in a variety of administrative roles. From 2003-2012, he served as president of Riverland Community College (MN). He began serving as the president at Big Bend Community College in 2012.

Leas has been active in professional and community organizations, including serving as president of Kiwanis and Rotary clubs in Georgia, Washington and Minnesota. In addition to serving on the Grant County EDC board, he is a member of Rotary, serves on the North Central WA Workforce Development Council board, Samaritan Healthcare Strategy and Finance Committee, the BBCC Foundation board, and the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges presidents’ group.

An expert in the law of higher education, he has published numerous articles and chapters in such publications as The Education Law Association’s Yearbook of Education Law, West’s Education Law Reporter, the Journal of Law & Education, and others. Dr. Leas served as President of the Education Law Association in 2000. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social science education and a doctorate in higher education administration from Florida State University and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Valdosta State College (GA).

He and wife Loyal have two daughters and four grandchildren.