CCSS' Sutter Named Director of the Year

Bob Steeh (right) of Novi Community School District presents Bill Sutter, Director of Consolidated Community School Services, with the Director of the YearAward from the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education. (Photograph courtesy of Consolidated Community School Services)

Bill Sutter, director of Consolidated Community School Services (CCSS), has been named Director of the Year by the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education. The award in recognition of his leadership and dedication to expanding adult education services in the Eastern Upper Peninsula was presented to him at the association's fall conference at Crystal Mountain, CCSS announced November 14.

Also November 14, Mr. Sutter was elected chairman of the Joint International Bridge Authority, to which he was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm in June.

He will lead the binational panel of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority in the coming year.

During his career in adult and community education since 1980, Mr. Sutter served as CCSS special projects coordinator until he became director of the organization in 1996.

His directorship began at a time when the state was making severe cuts in adult education funding, causing many programs across the state to decrease their programming or to close. Through the development of partnerships with local agencies such as Michigan Works!, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency, Bay Mills Community College, and others, he was able to not only keep CCSS in operation, but to greatly expand its service area, CCSS reported.

CCSS now serves people in a large geographic area, operating high school completion and GED programs in 18 locations throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Since its first graduation ceremony in 1972, more than 2,500 individuals from the Eastern Upper Peninsula have earned their diplomas or GED diplomas through CCSS.

In addition, CCSS administers early childhood education programs, enrichment and recreation programs, and job training programs through the Michigan Works! Agency.

"Through Bill's leadership, dedication, determination, and vision, CCSS has grown to be a dynamic agency that is making a difference in the Eastern Upper Peninsula" said Jeff Rohrer. Mr. Rohrer, last year's award recipient, is superintendent of Genesee Public Schools.

Mr. Sutter has served as president of the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education, and has recently served on the National Community board.

Mr. Sutter earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lake Superior State University and a Master's Degree from Central Michigan University.

He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Sault Ste. Marie. They have two sons, Bill and Phil.