West Hills Community College District trustees have named a new interim executive director for the district's foundation, filling a vacancy surrounded by controversy.

Dr. Rick Post of Palm Desert was offered a six-month contract earlier this month, temporarily filling the spot left open when former Executive Director Barbara Caganich was put on leave. Post came out of retirement to take the interim position.

Dr. Frank Gornick, chancellor of West Hills, said the college intends to soon begin a national search for a permanent person to fill the position, and was uncertain whether Post would want to apply for a permanent spot.

"He comes highly recommended," Gornick said of Post on Friday. "He has good experience at the community college level and at the foundation level. He's also an attorney."

Post had a 33-year career in higher education as a faculty member, division chairman and academic dean at College of the Desert in Palm Desert before retiring in 2007. He also served as interim executive director of the College of the Desert Foundation, and as adjunct faculty with California State University, San Bernardino and Chapman University. A member of the State Bar of California since 1983, Post's areas of legal concentration include business law, family law and wills and trusts.

Gornick said it was necessary to fill the position of executive director because West Hills trustees have chosen not to renew Caganich's contract after June 30.

Caganich -- executive director since July 2007 -- filed a claim with the district in March alleging that Gornick put her on leave March 23 because she questioned accounting practices.

Caganich's attorney, Howard Sagaser, said his client issued the claim because she "had a desire to be treated fairly and to bring transparency to the finances and foundation of the district."

Joe Zampi, an attorney representing West Hills , said an investigation into the foundation office has begun, and Caganich was placed on leave to ensure a proper investigation.

Once the investigation is complete, West Hills trustees will give consideration to Caganich's claim and decide whether to deny the claim or "treat it in another way," Zampi said.

(April 19, 2009)