Board of Trustees

Becker College is governed by a 25-member Board of Trustees. As a collective body, the trustees hold the authority and responsibility to ensure the fulfillment of the College’s mission and are ultimately responsible for the college’s fiscal health. The board selects and appoints the president and approves policy, while operations and management of the College are vested in the president.

Full Board Meetings:  2012

March 9, 2012
June 8, 2012
September 21, 2012 (Annual meeting)
December TBD

Arthur P. (Jay) DiGeronimo Jr.- Chairman

Year of Initial Appointment – 2005

Jay graduated from Clark University, magna cum laude, with a degree in Political Science, and received his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. He clerked for the Honorable Judge Donald R. Grant of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1977. He was president/CEO of Victory Supermarkets from 1981 until its sale in 2004. He is currently president and CEO of Wavelengths Pro Audio, LLC. For the past 24 years, Jay has served as a trustee for Health Alliance Hospital. Additionally, Jay has served as chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, chair of the North Central Massachusetts United Way, co-chair of the Health Alliance Capital Campaign, and is a past recipient of the Dr. Robert H. Goldman Community Service Award. His hobbies include playing guitar in his classic rock band, Neurotic Gumbo, croquet, golden retrievers, model railroading and flying. He lives in Leominster, Mass., with his wife, Gretchen.

Richard Pyle, Ph.D.- Vice Chairman

Year of Initial Appointment – 2006

Dr. Pyle received his BA in Physics from the University of Louisville, his MBA from the University of Michigan and his PhD in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester and the Manufacturing Assistance Center. He currently serves on the board for the Worcester Salvation Army and the Worcester Youth Center. Richard’s present professional involvement includes oversight of some commercial real estate properties in Worcester, while serving on one for-profit board. An advocate for health and fitness, Richard enjoys running, tennis, cycling, golf and kayaking. He lives with his wife, Marla, in West Boylston, Mass. His family also includes daughter, Kerry, and son-in-law Chuck; son Mark, and daughter-in-law, Neha; stepdaughters, Vanessa and Tiffany Maykel; and four grandchildren.

George Isaac, CPA- Treasurer

Year of Initial Appointment – 2005

George received his BSBA from Clark University and earned certified public accountant designation by passing the uniform CPA exam. George is on the board of directors and audit committee of Commerce Bank & Trust in Worcester. He is also on the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Pro-Dex, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company located in Irvine, Calif. George enjoys reading, playing golf and watching sports. He lives in Worcester with his wife Donna. They have four children, two of whom are still in college, and two grandchildren.

Robert A. Bernstein- Secretary

Year of Initial Appointment – 2006

Robert A. Bernstein is the chairman and CEO of Bay State Strategies Group, LLC. His educational background includes the Bancroft School, Franklin & Marshall College and Georgetown University Law School. Robert and his wife Kristen, and their two children, Carly and Charlie, live in Framingham, Mass.

Mary Aleksiewicz

Year of Initial Appointment – 2005

Mary earned her degree from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing (1966) and later her BSN from Assumption College (1991). Currently serving as vice president of Nursing at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital in Worcester, Mass., Mary is also actively engaged on the Board of Directors at Pernet Family Health Center and the Fairlawn Foundation. She also serves on the Nursing Advisory Board at Worcester State College and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Other examples of her leadership include earning the Woman of Distinction Award in 1996, promoting physical rehabilitation as a national speaker, and serving on the Advocacy Committee for the American Heart Association as a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Society. Mary and her husband, Charles, are Worcester residents and have two daughters, Kerri and Kathleen. Her greatest joy in life is being a grandmother.

Colleen C. Barrett

Year of Initial Appointment – 2006

Colleen C. Barrett is currently president emeritus of Southwest Airlines Co. Prior to stepping down as a Board member and the president and corporate secretary in July of 2008, she oversaw company-wide management, leadership, and budget responsibilities. Before joining Southwest in l978, she worked for several years as an executive assistant to Herb Kelleher (Southwest’s founder and chairman emeritus) at his law firm in San Antonio, Texas. Colleen currently resides in Dallas, Texas, and is active in numerous public, not for profit, civic, and charitable organizations including JC Penney Company, Inc.; The Ken Blanchard College of Business Advisory Board; Charity Leadership Council, Catholic Charities of Dallas; The Foundation for Women’s Resources; The Dallas Forum; and the International Women’s Forum. In addition to receiving an Honorary Doctor of Business Management from Grand Canyon University in 2010, she was recognized with the Texas Lutheran University Excellence in Leadership Award in 2009. Colleen has received countless business awards and honors throughout her career. In 2008 alone, she received an honorary lifetime membership in the TWU; the William Shea Award; recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women by the Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business; Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame; Tower Award, National Association of Women Business Owners, Cleveland; Dallas YWCA Centennial Award 100 Women; and Purple Boot Award, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas. Colleen is divorced with one son, Patrick, and one grandson, Evan Daniel.

John H. Budd

Year of Initial Appointment – 2011

John received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Iowa.  He relocated to Worcester in 1966 after serving three years as a Captain in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  Since 1998, John has been of counsel with the Worcester-based law firm of Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP.  Prior to joining the firm, John was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Paul Revere Companies for 21 years and a staff attorney for 10 years prior.  His professional and community affiliations include: member and former president, Association of Life Insurance Counsel; former chair, board of directors, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; trustee, UMass Memorial Health Care; chair and former campaign chair, Central Massachusetts United Way Investment Committee; campaign co-chair, Friends of Rogers-Kennedy Restoration; and commissioner, City of Worcester Civic Center Commission.  John and his wife Dawn live in Worcester and are the parents of three children and have eight grandchildren.

Henry J. Ciborowski

Year of Initial Appointment – 2006

Henry received his AB from Clark University in 1950. Currently retired, he was the founder and president of Ciborowski Insurance Agency in Worcester. Henry is the former treasurer and past president of the Clark University Alumni Association and was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. He is the former president of the Worcester Insurance Society and is a board member of Friends of Hope Cemetery and the Higgins Armory Museum, and also a trustee at the Worcester Art Museum. He and his wife Elaine reside in Worcester and are parents to two daughters, Gail and Kim, a son, Mark, and have one grandson.

P. Scott Conti

Year of Initial Appointment – 2006

Scott received his B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering  from Norwich University.  He is currently president and director of Providence and Worcester Railroad Company.  His leadership spans a range of organizations including the New England Railroad Club, the Research Bureau, Worcester Business Development Corporation, and KIWANIS. Additionally, Scott serves as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America. He and his  wife, Jeanne, have one son, Peter, and live in  Marlborough, Mass.

Martha P. Grace

Year of Initial Appointment – 2002

Martha earned her B.A. in Zoology at Smith College and her M.A. in History from Clark University.  She subsequently earned her J.D. at New England School of Law and is an honorary degree recipient from Southern New England School of Law and Mass School of Professional Psychology. She recently earned an M.S. in Animals and Public Policy at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Martha is a retired Chief Justice of Massachusetts Juvenile Court but is currently a member of  the National Association of Women Judges, the American Judicature Society, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Massachusetts Judges Conference, and Worcester, Boston, and Massachusetts Bar Associations.  Additionally, Martha is a corporator for Girls, Inc. in Worcester, Mass., and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.  In 2004, she received the honor of Becker College Distinguished Friend of Education. In her spare time, Martha enjoys horseback riding, hiking, music, reading, and spending time with her pets.

John E. Graham

Year of Initial Appointment – 2008

John received his B.A. from Clark University, his M.S. from the University of Vermont, and his M.Ed. from Worcester State.  He is currently managing partner at Graham Shepherd Certified Public Accountants and Consultants.  In addition to chairing Becker’s Institutional Advancement Committee, John has served as president for a range of organizations, including Arts Worcester, Leicester Business Association, and the Worcester Club.  John is also a member of the Diocese of Worcester Expansion Fund and a corporator of the Worcester Art Museum and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.  John also serves as a corporator at Leicester Savings Bank and Bay State Savings.  He was treasurer of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and a board member of Worcester Tennis Club, Worcester Economic Club, and Bay State Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.  John and his wife, Geri, live in Paxton, Mass., and have three children, Rachel, Sean, and Rebecca.

Timothy Horan

Year of Initial Appointment – 2007

Tim, currently senior vice president of Safety, Health & Environmental Services at National Grid, is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.  He is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (B.S. – MGE) and Regis University (MBA).  Tim has served on the executive board of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Investment Development Corporation board in Providence, R.I. He and his wife, Michele, and their two children, Sean and Megan, currently reside in Shrewsbury.

W. Patrick Hughes

Year of Initial Appointment – 2011

Pat received his B.S. from Boston University and is a member of the B.U. Athletic Hall of Fame. He has served as President and CEO of Fallon Community Health Plan since February 2010.  A 10-year veteran of the National Football League, his resume includes

being a linebacker with the New York Giants (’70-’76) and the New Orleans Saints (’77-’79.) Currently, Pat is the chairman of the board of directors of UltraBenefits, Inc., and also of Home Staff LLC. He is vice chairman of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans in Boston, Mass., and is on the board of directors of the

Alliance of Community Health Plans in Washington, D.C., the New England Council, and the Worcester Research Bureau. Pat and his wife, Carole, live in Stratham, N.H. They have a daughter and a granddaughter.

Brendan King

Year of Initial Appointment – 2010

Brendan is a founding partner at Estate Preservation Law Offices, PLLC, located in Worcester, Mass. He is a recognized expert in integrating asset and wealth preservation with estate planning. Brendan earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and his Master’s of Law in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. He is active in numerous professional organizations that include: the American Bar Association – Asset Protection Subcommittee;  Massachusetts Bar Association – Tax Subcommittee; Worcester County Bar Association – co-chair of the Tax, Trusts and Estate Section; Worcester Estate & Business Planning Council – first vice president; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); Worcester Economic Club; Montachusett Estate and Retirement Planning Council – president; Academy of Special Needs Planners; Society of Financial Service Professionals; and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) – faculty member. An advocate of community involvement, Brendan is a current corporator, former trustee, and president of the Members Council of Worcester Art Museum, and also serves on the board of the Worcester State Foundation and Vuona Charitable Foundation. He is a former board member of Mohegan Council Boy Scouts of America and lifetime member of the National Eagle Scouts Association. He also supports Autism Speaks, Boston and the Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts. Brendan and his wife, Kennera, live in Princeton, Mass., with their four children John, Catherine, Margaret, and Finbar.

Michael N. Lussier

Year of Initial Appointment – 2009

Michael is the president and CEO of Webster First Federal Credit Union. He received his BS in Accounting from Bentley College and his MS in Finance from Nichols College. Michael is a board member of Massachusetts Share Insurance Corporation and Pentegra Retirement Services Corp. in Connecticut. He is also chairman of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions in Washington, D.C. Michael and his wife, Deborah, live in Spencer, Mass., and have two children, Christopher and Jessica.

Joy J. McHugh

Year of Initial Appointment – 2007

Joy is currently enjoying retirement after a teaching career in Waterbury, Conn., and as vice president of Royal Screw Machine Co.  She is a graduate of Becker College and Southern Connecticut State University. Her experience includes authoring several children’s books, serving on the boards of Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Conn., and Pelican Bay Women’s League in Naples, Fla.  Joy is chairman of Golf Tournaments at the Country Club of Naples, Fla., and secretary of The Grove Beach Association in Clinton, Conn.  She and her husband, John, currently reside in Cheshire, Conn.

Dr. Gregory Pogue

Year of Initial Appointment – 2000

Greg is the vice president for the Office of Human Resources at The College of New Jersey. He earned his degrees from Becker College (A.S.), Nichols College (B.S.), Wagner College (MBA) and University of Sarasota (D.B.A.).  He has served on the Advisory Council and Retiree Health Care Task Force for TIAA-CREF.  He is also a former board of trustee member at the YMCA of Union County and Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J. Greg’s service also includes Stephen’s Ministry at Hope United Methodist Church in San Diego, Calif.  He and his wife, Rohini Bissoondat-Pogue, have six children: Kimberly, Valerie, Courtney, Matthew, Jasmine, and Isabella.

Frances E. Polito

Year of Initial Appointment – 1996

Fran received her associate’s degree from Becker College in 1968, and a BS in Business from Worcester State College and a master’s degree in Health-care Administration from Clark University in 1983. She was employed as a health care administrator/executive at the Fallon Clinic in Worcester for 24 years and at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Boston for 2-1/2 years. Fran is a life member of the Medical Group Management Association (National & State) and is a certified medical practice executive in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. She currently serves on the board of directors of Seven Hills Foundation.

Daniel Prouty

Year of Initial Appointment – 2008

Daniel Prouty graduated with his AS from Leicester Junior College in 1971, and earned his BA from Nichols College in 1975. He currently serves as CEO and partner for Millyard Industrial Properties. Daniel is also director of the Oxford Business Association and committee chair of the Kennebunkport Open Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine, and East Bear Island Conservation Association in Meredith, N.H. Daniel lives in Charlton, Mass., with his wife, Marilyn. They have two daughters, Michaela and Elisabeth and a son-in-law, James Gilbride.

Christopher P. Provo

Year of Initial Appointment – 2007

Chris is the president/CEO of Provo Financial Services, Inc. He received his B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of New Hampshire, his CRPC from the College of Financial Planning, and his RFC from the International Association of Registered Financial Consulting.  He is an alumni class agent for St. John’s High School and an avid golfer and member of the Worcester Country Club. He and his wife, Pamela, live in Shrewsbury, Mass., with their son, Teddy.

Peter Rowden

Year of Initial Appointment – 2007

Peter Rowden serves as corporate vice president of Manufacturing Operations at Hologic Corporation in Marlboro, Mass. He attended Leicester High School and The Choate School prior to earning his BS from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his MBA from Nichols College. Peter served as chair of the Becker College board of trustees Governance Committee. Peter and his wife, Catherine live in Groton, Mass., and have two children, Erica and Spencer.

Dr. Jerrianne Seger

Year of Initial Appointment – 2002

Dr. Seger is a primary care internist and medical director of Information Systems at UMass Memorial Health Care. She received her BS from Michigan State University and her MD at Wayne State University. Jerrianne currently serves on the physician board at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and resides in Boylston, Mass., with her husband, William McLaughlin, MD. They have two children, Ryan and Meghan.

Paolo Sinni

Year of Initial Appointment – 2008

Paolo currently serves as vice president, treasurer and controller at IPG Photonics Corporation.  He received his BSBA with a concentration in special accounting from Nichols College and is a member of the New England Fiber Optics Council.  He enjoys playing golf, reading, and exercise. Paolo and his wife Evelyn live in Dudley, Mass., and have a daughter, Angela; a son, Steven; daughter-in-law, Amy; and grandchild, Luca.

Gabriel N. Simon

Year of Initial Appointment – 2009

Gabe is the co-owner of eight Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Auburn, North Oxford, Leicester, Spencer and West Brookfield. He is currently involved with the Boys Clubs of America National Alumni and served as their former president. Gabe is also a member and past president of the Shrewsbury Lions Club. His experience also includes working with Dunkin’ Donuts Corporate on sports marketing communications and advertising communications. Gabe enjoys sports and is an active Boys Club alumnus.

John L. Sullivan, M.D.

Year of Initial Appointment – 2011

John received his B.S. from LeMoyne College in 1968 and his M.D. from SUNY Upstate Medical School, Syracuse, in 1972. From 1973 to 1975, he served as a staff associate in the Division of Virology at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Bureau of Biologics in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed his pediatric  training and clinical immunology at the University of Washington. In 1978, he joined the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In 1984 the American Heart Association awarded him an Established Investigatorship. John served on the Immunological Sciences Study Section 1982-1986 and was a Charter Member of AIDS and Related Research Study Section (1990-92) of the NIH

Sarah H. Williams

Year of Initial Appointment – 2002

Sarah is a graduate of Bradford College and is the owner/founder of Treasure Hunt Farm. She is also a founder and trustee of the Treasure Hunt Farm Foundation. Sarah’s various involvements have included: Board of Overseers at Tufts Veterinary School, board member and treasurer of Washburn House, and secretary of the Women’s Golf Association of Mass. Currently, she serves as an honorary board member (director) of Girls, Inc. She has also been involved with the Worcester Animal Rescue League and has experience teaching dog obedience, showing dogs in obedience trials and showing horses in hunter classes. Sarah has two step-children, five step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.