For Immediate Release
Contact:
Matthew Cookson, USNH: 603-862-0904
Matt.cookson@usnh.edu
The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees selects Edward Dupont as Board Chairman
Board welcomes six new members; George Epstein named vice-chair
June 27, 2008—Keene, NH—The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Board of Trustees elected Edward Dupont of Durham as Board Chair and George Epstein of Silver Lake as Vice Chair for one-year terms at their annual meeting at Keene State College on June 26th. The Board also re-elected Edwinna Vanderzanden of Rochester as Secretary and welcomed six new and recently appointed members.
Current Chair Andrew Lietz of Rye is retiring from the Board after having served as chair since 2004. Two other long-term Board members also stepped down as of the June 26 meeting: Jack Lawson of Amesbury Massachusetts, a UNH alumni-elected member who served since 2000; and former Governor Walter Peterson of Peterborough, who is the longest serving member of the Board, having been appointed in 1996.
The six new members are Carol Perkins from Plymouth; William Ardinger from Concord; Nicholas Benson from Wrentham, MA; Judith Blake from Portsmouth and Larkspur, CA; Chester Homer III from Portsmouth; and Eugene Martin, Jr. from Manchester.
The 27-member Board is responsible for the oversight of the University System, which includes the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Granite State College.
What follows is some brief biographical information on the officers and new appointees:
Edward Dupont
Chair
Profile: Attended the University of New Hampshire. Founder and President of The Dupont Group Ltd., a government relations consulting firm in Concord and director of Merchantbanc, a Manchester NH based venture capital firm. As a former five-term State Senator, he served as Senate Majority Leader and was elected President of the Senate in 1990. Appointed to the Board by Gov. Benson on March 6, 2003 to a term expiring on June 30, 2005; reappointed by Gov. Lynch to a term expiring on June 30, 2009.
Edwinna Vanderzanden
Secretary
Profile: Graduate: University of New Hampshire (B.S.N., 1980); Northeastern University (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate); University of Maine (J.D., 1984). Member, UNH Alumni Assn. Board 1993-99 and president from 1997-99. Chair, Pettee Medal Committee. Director, NH Foundation of Medical Care, 1984-1994. Who's Who in American Law, 1990-92. Elected by the UNH Alumni to serve a term beginning July 1, 2001 and expiring June 30, 2005; re-elected to serve a second term expiring on June 30, 2009.
George Epstein
Vice Chair
Profile: Graduate: Dartmouth College (B.A. 1972); University of Maine-Portland (M.B.A.). Co-founded Echo Management Group, a leading firm in the development of information systems for behavioral health care and social service agencies. Former Deputy Director of Administration with Northern NH Mental Health & Developmental Services. Town and School Moderator for Madison, NH and Kennett High School teacher. Appointed to the Board by Gov. Shaheen on June 26, 2002 to a term expiring June 30, 2006; reappointed by Gov. Lynch to a term expiring June 20, 2010.
Carol S. Perkins
Gubernatorial Appointee
2008-2009
Profile: Graduate: Post University (Associate in Science – 1968), attended Plymouth Teachers College and University of New Hampshire (1962 – 1965). Partner in Longview Farm (1999 NH Farm of Distinction) a dairy farm and produce business; founder and director of the Plymouth Community Farmers’ Market, Co-Chair of PFLAG NH (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays – NH). Appointed to the Board by Gov. Lynch on April 14, 2008 to a term expiring on June 30, 2009.
William J. Ardinger
Gubernatorial Appointee
2008 – 2011
Profile: Graduate: University of New Hampshire, (B.A. in Economics, 1982); Harvard Law School (J.D., 1985). Attorney, Treasurer and Shareholder of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C. of Concord. Member of New Hampshire Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules (2005 – present). Member of Board of Bar Examiners (2008 – present). Former member of Concord Community Music School (1999-2005; Chairperson, 2004-2005). Elected to New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1980 for one term, representing towns of Cornish and Croydon. Appointed to the Board by Gov. Lynch to a term expiring June 30, 2011.
Nicholas C. Benson
UNH Student Trustee
2008-2009
Profile: A junior at UNH who is active on campus as a member of the Army ROTC Program, a member of UNH Greek Life, and is the Interfraternal Council’s Risk Management and Social Chair. He is a Psychology and Justice Studies major.
Judith E. Blake
UNH Alumni-Elected
2008-2012 (1st term)
Profile: Graduate: University of New Hampshire (B.S. 1977); The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania (M.B.A. 1980). Member of the UNH Foundation Board of Directors of the (2000-2006), Member of the UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors (2006-present), Dean’s Advisory Board, The Whittemore School of Business and Economics, UNH (2004-present), Co-chair UNH Alumni Association of Northern California (2008-present), UNH NorCal Alumni Steering Committee (2006-2008). Elected by the UNH Alumni to serve a four-year term beginning July 1, 2008.
Chester E. Homer, III
Gubernatorial Appointee
2008-2012
Profile: Graduate: Dartmouth College (B.A. 1973) Northeastern University (M.B.A. 1974). Owner Shawnee Peak Ski Area. Former chairman, Ocean National Bank, Portsmouth, N.H. Former Chairman, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston New England Advisory Council. Director, National Ski Areas Association. Appointed to the Board by Gov. Lynch to a term expiring June 30, 2012.
Eugene P. Martin, Jr.
PSU Student Trustee
2008-2009
Profile: A senior with a major in Political Science and a Pre-law minor. He works as a Community Advisor in Langdon Woods Residential Complex. He is currently serving his fourth term as President of the Class of 2009 and also is the President of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national Political Science Honor Society. He formerly held the positions of a Student Senator, Parliamentarian of the Student Senate, and served as the University System Student Board Representative for PSU. He plans to attend law school in 2009. Elected by the PSU students to serve as a Student Trustee for a term expiring June 30, 2009.