Chief operating officer announces resignation; search underway for successor

By Amy Staples

Mt. Hood Community College is actively seeking a chief operating officer, as Gary Murph, the present COO, is entering retirement for the second time.

Murph has been at MHCC for three years. He came out of retirement to take the job here, moving from a suburb of Los Angeles. “I told Bob [Silverman] I would commit to three years, and I’ll be coming to the end of three years in January,” Murph said. He agreed to stay on until June if the recruitment process for his replacement is unsuccessful.

Murph said he didn’t have any specific goals when he joined MHCC. “I didn’t come in with any presuppositions,” he said. One project in progress when he arrived at MHCC was the Allied Health Center construction, which he called a success. Other projects he was able to see through to completion included the library and classroom remodels, the new gym floor and bleachers, the remodels of the Vista Dining Center, Jazz Cafe and Town and Gown Room, and partial replacement of the roof.

Murph has also been working with the MHCCD board and the advisory committee on the bond measure that will be on the ballot Nov. 7.

Murph said he would like to take advantage of his hobby, which is sports car racing, and perhaps learn a musical instrument. Murph said he and his wife like Oregon and don’t know if they’ll leave the state. “My wife and I would both like a European vacation, and drive around the U.S., maybe take a road trip.” For his second retirement, one thing is certain: “The idea is to do nothing. I like my job, but I don’t like working.”