Long-time pastor Kirby Unti brings 30 years of community leadership to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees.

The Governor’s Office appointed Unti to the board Dec. 9.

“He has a real dedication to the community college system,” said Kim Tanaka, executive analyst for state boards and commissions. “He has a lot of community support.”

Unti came to the Renton community after accepting a position at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church 30 years ago. It was the same day Mount St. Helen’s erupted.

Since, his congregation grew from about 100 to more than 1,000.

His leadership stretches beyond his congregation. He’s also a self-proclaimed advocate for the college.

For about 10 years he ran the Friend to Friend program, which subsidized housing for homeless while they attended Renton Technical for job training.

“It’s the swiftest way for them to get a marketable skill,” Unti said. “You can transition from a minimum wage to a living wage in a very short time.”

As a trustee, he also hopes to build stronger ties between the school’s programs and the business community.

“They’re only training people for jobs that are needed. So it’s a great source for an (business) owner to get a technician,” he said.

He also thinks that the school is an important tool for improving the economy, he said.

“I just have a really rich appreciation for the fact that the college … is critical to the economic engine to the Puget Sound area,” he said.

Unti first got the idea to become a pastor from a high school career aptitude test, which gave him three suggestions: farmer, watchmaker or pastor.

“The opportunity to be a leader in building community and caring for people was just something I naturally gravitated toward,” Unti said of becoming a pastor.

Named the 2007 Citizen of the Year, Unti is a leader in the community.

“Kirby is someone who unites people,” said Renton Chamber of Commerce President Bill Taylor.

Unti is a former president of the Rotary Club of Renton. He served as the police chaplain for about 15 years.

He sat on the committee that built the Salvation Army’s Food Bank.

“We’re the host site for the before and after school program for McKnight students,” Unti said of St. Matthews.

He’s leading up a $20 million project in downtown Renton to build veteran housing with the Compass Center.

He also writes a column for Renton Magazine.

Unti fills the position of former trustee Frank Irigon, who resigned in August.

After the controversial firing of the former Renton Tech president, community activists discovered Irigon was ineligible, because he lived outside the college boundaries.

Unti was appointed the same day Rich Zwicker also resigned as trustee.

“I’m just hoping that the board can move forward and do some good things for the college,” said board chair Ronnie Behnke of Unti’s hiring. “Hopefully soon we’ll find a fifth trustee so the board can be whole again.”

Ira Sengupta re-appointed

College trustee Ira Sengupta also has been reappointed to her position.

“I think that’s very exciting,” said Behnke. “The board needs stability.”

Sengupta has been on the board for five years.