Board chairman, newcomer win at Oakton as second incumbent ousted

An Oakton Community College graduate and the current board chairman will get the chance to work with new college President Joianne Smith, after unofficial election results show them on top in a five-person race for 6-year terms.

Incumbent William Stafford was the top vote-getter with 12,628 votes, followed by Benjamin Salzberg with 9,073. With two seats available on the board, incumbent Theresa Bashiri-Remetio was not re-elected, coming in third with 8,060 votes. Candidates Constantine Ress and Christopher Evdoxiadis trailed with 7,864 and 3,358 votes, respectively, according to unofficial results.

Stafford, of Evanston, and Bashiri-Remetio were part of the seven-member board that appointed Smith to the top administrative position last month. Smith will succeed retiring President Margaret Lee in July.

Salzberg, of Northbrook, an optimization consultant, went on to get two master's degrees after Oakton. His father is a retired professor who taught at the college.