“The best decision I’ve made in all my years
as a Gavilan College trustee was to hire
Steve Kinsella. Gavilan has been fortunate
to have him as its president for 13 years.
I wish him and Linda the best in their
retirement.”
During Steve’s tenure the college also
established a Veterans Resource Center, run by
student-veterans, to help incoming veterans
transition smoothly from military to campus
and civilian life.
In March of this year, the Association for
California Community College Administrators
honored Steve with a Distinguished
Administrator Award for his 25 years as an
exemplary administrator and educator.
Serving the Community
Among the local business and community
leaders who’ve come to know Steve well is
Jeff Perkins, SVP and Regional Manager of
Heritage Bank. Jeff and Steve have served
together on the boards of the Morgan Hill
Community Foundation, the Morgan Hill
Chamber of Commerce, and currently
on the board of the Gilroy Economic
Development Committee. Steve also held
past board positions with Leadership
Morgan Hill and Gilroy Gardens.
According to Jeff, “Steve’s a very
16
pragmatic, even-tempered guy. If I walk
into a meeting and there’s a seat open next
to him, that’s where I’m going to sit. He
likes to come together and get things done.”
In 2012, Steve was honored by the
Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
as Educator of the Year at its Celebrate
Morgan Hill event. In his acceptance speech
he said, “This award is for the faculty, the
administrators and staff, and the board of
trustees of Gavilan College. The trustees are
completely in sync with the community.
On campus, everyone knows the board is
student-focused, setting policies for student
success that have become a model for others
to follow.”
Ahh Retirement
Linda Kinsella retired in 2015 after running
her own business, an online video guest
book service for weddings and other special
events. The Kinsellas just celebrated their
36 th wedding anniversary, and Linda is eager
for Steve to join her in retirement.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2016
“Steve has worked very hard through
his entire career,” Linda said. “It’s time for
us to enjoy Morgan Hill, spend more time
with family, and do some traveling!”
Steve and Linda have fond memories
of raising their three children in Morgan
Hill. Today, their eldest daughter, Jessica is
a vice president with JP Morgan and lives
with her husband in Morgan Hill. Their
son Mark works at Chase Bank and lives
in San Jose. And their younger daughter
Felisha lives in southern California with her
husband and son.
“Linda and I have been on a tremendous
journey together,” Steve said. “Education
has been a huge part of our family over
the years. It has allowed me to progress
and succeed in what I chose as my career
path. I encourage parents and others in
the community to be aware of what is
happening in our schools and to let local
and state leaders know what’s needed to
give our young adults the quality education
and training they need and deserve.”
gmhtoday.com
AND
Laura Perry, Esq.
Gavilan Community College Graduate and
Member of the Board of Trustees