At its spring meeting, the University of Rochester Board of Trustees elected new board members Nomi Miron Bergman, president of Bright House Networks; Dr. Paul F. Griner, former chief executive officer of Strong Memorial Hospital; Carol D. Karp, vice president of global regulatory affairs and risk management for Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy Research and Development; and John M. Kelly, executive vice president of major account development for ACS Inc., a company of Xerox Corporation.
"I enthusiastically support these four trustees because of their commitment to the University and their strengths in key areas of our board's interest: a robust School of Medicine for future generations; new sectors of communications and product innovation; and valued relationships with Xerox, a worldwide corporation and stalwart supporter of the University," said University President Joel Seligman. "They will help to make a great University even stronger."
Edmund "Ed" Hajim, chairman of the Board of Trustees, lauded the new trustees for their professional achievements and personal dedication. "We particularly value alumni and friends who share their talents in support of the University and help us to accelerate our pace on many initiatives," stated Hajim. "These new trustees will enhance our already impressive board."
The new trustees are members of the George Eastman Circle, the University's leadership annual giving society whose members honor the legacy of George Eastman, one of the University's greatest benefactors.
As president of Bright House Networks since 2007, Bergman directs one of the nation's largest cable operations with technologically advanced systems located in Alabama, California, Florida, Indiana, and Michigan. With 8,000 employees carrying out its vision, the company is known for its customer centric philosophy with strong ties to its local communities.
Bergman is often sought for her visionary leadership, especially as it relates to technology. She has served on the Federal Communications Commission Technical Advisory Committee and the CableLabs Technical Advisory Committee. She also has served on the national board of directors for both the Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers and for Women in Cable Telecommunications.
A double major in economics and statistics from the College in 1985, Bergman received the University's John N. Wilder Award in 2010, which honors those who inspire others in the tradition of philanthropist and first president of the Board of Trustees John Wilder. She is a member of the Arts, Sciences and Engineering National Council and the Campaign Marketing Workgroup.
Griner, now professor emeritus of medicine at Rochester, received his medical degree with honors from the School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1959 after earning his bachelor's degree at Harvard College. He completed an internship and residency in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and served as chief resident in medicine and fellow in hematology at Strong Memorial Hospital. He rose to the rank of professor while at Rochester and held the Samuel E. Durand Chair.
From 1984 to 1995, Griner was general director and chief executive officer of Strong Memorial Hospital and a leader in the development of hospital programs designed to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. He was among the first to show the negative effects of the unnecessary use of diagnostic tests and procedures on costs and quality. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and also served as both chair of the board and president of the American College of Physicians. Griner also is the chair of the School of Medicine and Dentistry National Council and a member of the Boston Regional Cabinet.
Since 1979, Karp has held executive positions in the pharmaceutical industry leading to the successful development and commercialization of a series of innovative medical products. In the 1990s, she was the project leader for EVRA, the first contraceptive patch co-developed with Johnson & Johnson. Later, at CV Therapeutics, she was senior vice president of regulatory affairs, quality, and drug safety. Her expertise in product development strategies has positioned her in close association with pathbreaking medical research and discoveries.
Her current role with Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy R & D, a Johnson & Johnson affiliate, is focused on the commercialization of discoveries for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Karp works with Stanford University School of Medicine faculty to evaluate the potential of scientific innovation and the results of their research for the public good. She is a member of the Bay Area Regional Cabinet, an active member of the Parents Council, and serves on the University's Technology Fund Committee.
She is a 1974 graduate of the College with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Kelly had more than 25 years of experience in the consulting, systems integration, and outsourcing industry before he joined Xerox as senior vice president and chief operating officer of global services in 2004. He also is a corporate vice president at Xerox.
In 2009, Kelly helped orchestrate the transaction that brought Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), a $6.5 billion company and the world's largest diversified business process outsourcing firm, into the Xerox family. He was appointed executive vice president of major account development for ACS earlier this year.
Kelly is a member of the Simon School of Business' Executive Advisory Council and the Dean's Forum, and also is a director of the New York Council of the Navy League of the United States. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College and a master's degree in engineering and operations research from the University of Texas at Austin.
Each trustee will serve a five-year term.