Alexis Kashar, President, is a civil rights and special education attorney. She holds a JD from the University of Texas Law School. Alexis joined the Board of Trustees in 2006 and is currently the President of the Board. She is also the chair of the Civil Rights committee for the National Association for the Deaf. She is also active in her community in various civic and education organizations. Alexis lives in Westchester with her husband and their 3 children.
Jody C. Benard, Vice President, is an attorney who specializes in Personal Injury Litigation, primarily defense of such cases. She is currently a founding partner of Brody Benard & Branch LLP. She lives in Larchmont with her family and has been a trustee since 2008.
Stephen F. (Steve) Weiner, Vice President, is the Provost, or chief academic officer, at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. He became a Trustee in 2008. Steve is deaf and the son of deaf parents. He attended Fanwood from 1964 to 1968. Besides being in higher education for most of his professional career, Dr. Weiner has been involved in the deaf and disability rights movement since the 1970s promoting equal access for everyone. Steve and his wife, Dr. Tammy Weiner, a professor of psychology at Gallaudet, have two grown children who have flown the coop. They live in a "one traffic light" town of Davidsonville, Maryland. Although Steve has lived in different parts of the country, Brooklyn will always be his home.
Eric Wagner, Secretary, is a financial advisor and became a trustee in 2008. Eric is a member of the Executive Committee. Eric lives in Katonah, NY with his wife and daughters. He is a graduate of Penn State University and Brooklyn Law School
Arnold L. Mintz, Treasurer, serves as President and Chief Operating Officer and Board Member of Asset Alliance and subsidiaries and has held senior management positions in operations, administration, marketing and sales. Mr. Mintz is also Global Head of the Company’s investment placement business Hedge Harbor Inc. He serves on the Board of Directors of Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation, He joined our Board of Trustees in 2003 and is the Treasurer.
Donald M. Barr is President of Barr & Barr, Inc., a Construction Management firm, founded in 1927 by Donald’s grandfather. Barr & Barr Inc. has five offices in the New England and Mid Atlantic states. Following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Mr. Barr was named President of the family firm in 1992. He has served on our Board since 1984.
Linda Bove is a professional actor/ASL consultant for Theatre/TV/films and certified deaf interpreter. A founding member of the Deaf West Theatre, she lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Ed Waterstreet, Artistic Director of DWT. She has been an active board member since 1994.
Dr. Patricia Chute is a Professor and Dean of the School of Health Professions at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. Prior to her appointment at NYIT she was the founding dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. She is also a member of the Board of Scientific Trustees for the Deafness Research Foundation. She is the former director of the Cochlear Implant Center at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital. She has been active in the implant field since 1979 and has over 40 publications including three books entitled "Children with Cochlear Implants in Educational Settings," "A Parent's Guide to Cochlear Implants," and more recently "School Professionals Working with Children with Cochlear Implants. Dr.
Chute's research has focused on children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss as well as the educational needs of deaf children. She is known both nationally and internationally for her work in this area and organizes workshops around the globe to train speech, hearing and educational professionals. She joined the Board in 2010.
Dr. Noel Cohen grew up and went to school in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands with his MD. He did his residency and became the Chair of NYU School of Medicine. Doctor Cohen is a leader is the field of Otolaryngology and while he has a deep respect for deafness, he brings expertise in Cochlear Implants to the Board. He became a trustee in 2010.
Dixie De Luca is Managing Director of Corporate Events for Colin Cowie Lifestyle. Dixie just joined CCL after a 22 year career in the corporate insurance brokerage industry where she most recently led Aon's global network. Dixie joined the Fanwood Board of Trustees in 1997 and subsequently had a son who is hearing impaired. Dixie lives in New York City with her husband, David, and sons Peter (9) and William (8) and dog Teddy.
Donald Heithaus is a retired businessman who has served as a trustee since 2005. He serves on many boards and is involved in many charitable organizations. He graduated from St. Lawrence University and in his spare time, he enjoys photography, skiing and tennis. He and his wife Janet reside in the town of Rye.
P. Gregory Hess is a trusts and estates partner in the New York City law firm of Davidson, Dawson & Clark. He became a trustee in 1982 and has served both as President and Chairman of the Board. Greg and his wife live in Ossining and have four adult children.
Richard Lent is a Vice President for Barr & Barr, Inc. In New York City. Richard is currently serving on the Building and Grounds committee. He resides in Norwalk, CT with his wife and two children. He joined our Board in 2010.
Stephen Manzi is the Director of The New York Public Library's Capital Campaign. A Trustee of NYSD since the spring of 2010, he lives with his wife and children in Pleasantville, New York.
Steve Pennacchio is an attorney and CPA currently working in industry with responsibility for Executive Compensation and Benefits for a large multi-national company. Steve joined the Board in 1998.
Andrew Roffe is a partner in the law firm of Robinson & Cole, where he chairs its Administrative Law Department. He is also the President of The Roffe Group P.C., a law firm specializing in government affairs and lobbying, located in Albany, N.Y. Mr. Roffe had represented the school for a number of years before becoming a trustee in 2010. He lives in New York City with his wife and youngest son. His two older children also reside and work in New York City.
Clifford R. Rowley graduated from Fanwood in 1960, was a research chemist until he retired in 2001 after 35 years with a chemical manufacturer in NJ. In 1991, he became the first Deaf alumnus to serve as a Trustee. After his retirement, he moved to Tucson, Arizona with his lovely wife Nancy, a former teacher at Fanwood. They have two children and three grandchildren.
Mario Torsiello is President & CEO of Torsiello Capital Advisors Inc., a boutique investment banking and advisory firm focused on the insurance industry. Mr. Torsiello became a Trustee in 2006 and currently serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Investment Committee. He graduated from Fordham University with a BS in Accounting and currently serves in various governance positions with the university. Mr. Torsiello is a licensed CPA in NY and is a Securities Principal registered with FINRA. He has been a resident of Chappaqua for the past 18 years.
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