Longtime professor and dean to retire from CMC Steamboat Springs

Perry Ninger, dean of the Colorado Mountain College School of Business, and former full-time business and accounting faculty, will retire at the end of June.

“At every turn in Perry’s career at CMC he has modeled excellence and has demonstrated the importance of putting students first,” said Dr. Kathryn Regjo, vice president of Academic  Affairs at Colorado Mountain College. “We will miss him and his passionate pursuit of threading diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the business curriculum.”

Ninger started as an adjunct instructor at CMC in 2007 and then was hired as full-time faculty in 2012. He was brought on board specifically to launch the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program, teaching courses in accounting, finance, marketing and sustainable business.

Under Perry’s care, countless students have completed their CPA exams, started businesses, landed community roles in public accounting and were hired by some of the most renowned accounting firms in the world.

“Student success is our goal, every day,” said Ninger.  “Everything we’ve accomplished as a school and faculty team in recent years is for them and their future, and I would not have had it any other way.”

In 2018, Ninger was named dean of CMC’s Business School. He got to work immediately, finding a way to expand programs so students at any of CMC’s 11 campuses could earn a business degree. He championed the need for curricular improvement across the college and played a critical role in the development of standards for the introduction of degree minors at the college.

“You don’t just replace someone like Perry,” noted JC Norling, vice president and campus dean at CMC Steamboat Springs. “He has brought so much care to the Steamboat Campus and really enhanced the student experience. He will be missed.”

Ninger has lived in Steamboat since 2001. He came to CMC with more than 30 years of business experience, across a wide range of organizations. His most extensive corporate stint was 17 years with American Express in New York and Toronto.

While Ninger’s accomplishments at the college are numerous, he has been deeply involved in the Steamboat community, serving as a member of the Steamboat Chamber Economic Development Council for several years and on the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Investment Committee. He has also been a board member of Lift-Up of Routt County.

The search for Ninger’s replacement will begin immediately. Ninger, and his wife Mary Ann (also retiring, county clerk, Colorado 14th Judicial District), are looking forward to the opportunity to travel and spend more time with family.