HAVRE -- Frank Trocki, who works for a company that operates 34 vocational schools, has been named the new chancellor for Montana State University-Northern, MSU President Geoff Gamble said Thursday.

''I have confidence he will bring vision and strong leadership to the task of making Northern the best it can be for students,'' Gamble said in a statement.

Trocki, 62, is vice president of business development for Lincoln Educational Services/Lincoln College of Technology in West Orange, N.J. His appointment must be approved by the state Board of Regents. He is scheduled to begin his new job in late July.

''I am honored to be selected as MSU-Northern's chancellor,'' Trocki said in a statement. ''I will dedicate myself to making Northern affordable and accessible to any student who desires a quality and diverse education.''

Trocki has a doctorate of education from West Virginia University after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial technology from Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts.

''Dr. Trocki will bring to Northern a wealth of knowledge in the areas of workforce development and industry trends,'' said Debbie Vandeberg, executive director of the Havre Chamber of Commerce and a community representative on the search advisory committee.

''Dr. Trocki has a handle on the need to market Northern in order to increase enrollment,'' she said. ''His out-of-the-box thinking and high energy will bring new opportunities to Northern and Havre.''

Trocki previously served three years as vice president of education/interim president for Lincoln College of Technology Indianapolis; one year as interim president for University College of the Caribbean and seven years as president of Elexon Ltd. He has also served as dean at College of the Redwoods in California and a department chair at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Northeastern University in Boston.

Trocki replaces Alex Capdeville, who retired in December 2007. Rolf Groseth served as interim chancellor and was head of the search committee.