RATHDRUM - The selection committee for the next director of the Kootenai Technical Education Campus didn't have to look far to find its top candidate.

The governing board of the technical-professional high school in Rathdrum has approved Tim Fortune, currently KTEC's welding instructor, to replace Mark Cotner as director.

Fortune has taught at KTEC, which includes students from the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts, since the school opened last fall.

"I've been in education for 10 years and administration is something I've been working toward," Fortune said. "I want to see the big picture of how technical schools are run and share opportunities with kids. I'm glad the board likes what I'll bring to the table."

Cotner announced last month that he had plans to move back to the Midwest due to his wife accepting a job.

Fortune, a certified welder, has a bachelor's degree in technology from the University of Idaho and a master's degree in educational leadership/administration from Washington State University.

He has program design and budget management experience in addition to teaching other technical courses such as carpentry and engineering and working in the automated precision machining industry.

"The biggest thing that sold us on Tim was that he has a passion to advance students' lives, not just with what we do at KTEC," said Jerry Keane, chairman of the KTEC governing board. "We have an obligation to help students in a lot of ways and he has a passion for that."

Twelve people applied for the job and four were interviewed by an eight-member committee consisting of education and business officials. KTEC's governing board approved the committee's recommendation.

Before joining KTEC, Fortune taught at Southridge High and the Tri-Tech Skills Center in Kennewick, Wash. He has been involved in professional-technical program startups and revisions.

Fortune said KTEC has a great foundation to build upon.

"I think we still have a lot of room to grow," he said. "At some point, I believe we'll be able to add on programs. It's a great product and there's tons of industry out there. I think the sky is the limit."

While Cotner also served half-time as the director of professional-techincal education for the Coeur d'Alene School District, the KTEC director position will be full time for Fortune.

Coeur d'Alene won't fill its half-time position, said Laura Rumpler, district spokeswoman. The duties will be reallocated to existing staff.