Board Members

Thirteen board members are appointed by the governor and legislative leaders and bring with them their experience in both the public and private sectors. Two board members are students who are chosen by their peers. The four non-voting ex-officio members are the commissioners of the Department of Public Health, Education, Economic and Community Development, and Labor.

• Members
• Ex-Officio Members

Lewis J. Robinson, Jr. - Chair

Lewis J. Robinson, Jr. is a seasoned attorney with a comprehensive background in business, law and government affairs, as well as charitable organizations.
View Full Bio

Yvette Meléndez - Vice Chair

Yvette Meléndez, Vice President of Government and Community Alliances for Hartford Healthcare, has three decades of public policy experience.
View Full Bio

---

Richard J. Balducci

Richard J. Balducci of Deep River is vice president of Doyle, D'Amore and Balducci in Hartford and former Speaker of the House.
View Full Bio

Eugene L. Bell

Eugene L. Bell is seeking his Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration from Gateway Community College.
View Full Bio

---

Naomi K. Cohen

Naomi K. Cohen has served in numerous educational leadership positions, including House Chair of the General Assembly’s Education Committee.
View Full Bio

Lawrence DeNardis

Dr. Lawrence DeNardis is President Emeritus of the University of New Haven and a former United States Congressman from Connecticut.
View Full Bio

---

Nicholas M. Donofrio

Nicholas M. Donofrio led IBM’s technology and innovation strategies from 1997 until his retirement in October 2008.
View Full Bio

Matt Fleury

Matt Fleury became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Science Center April 1, 2009, after serving as the Center’s Executive Vice President and COO.
View Full Bio

---

Michael Fraser

Michael Fraser is an undergraduate Political Science student with a minor in History at Western Connecticut State University.
View Full Bio

Merle W. Harris

Merle W. Harris has 45 years of educational experience, serving in several positions at institutions of higher education, in Connecticut.
View Full Bio

---

Gary F. Holloway

Gary F. Holloway is a founder of Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, an alternative investment and asset management company.
View Full Bio

Craig Lappen

Craig Lappen is President of 21st Century Financial Advisors in Manchester. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and has an MBA in finance from the University of Connecticut.
View Full Bio

---

René Lerer

René Lerer is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Health Services, with more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare field.
View Full Bio

Michael E. Pollard

Michael Pollard is co-founder of Optul Global Services, LLC. Also consult for Integrated Technical Systems,Inc.
View Full Bio

---

Jewel Mullen

Department of Public Health
View Full Bio

Sharon Palmer

Department of Labor
View Full Bio

---

Stefan Pryor

Department of Education
View Full Bio

Catherine Smith

Department of Economic and Community Development
View Full Bio

---

Comments & Questions