December 8, 2022

Elms College appoints seven new board of trustees members

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Elms College)

CHICOPEE – College of Our Lady of the Elms announced on Dec. 7 that seven prominent leaders in the region have joined the Board of Trustees.

“I am delighted to welcome these seven new members to the board. Their guidance and support will be important to me as we advance the strategic vision of the college,” said Harry E. Dumay, president of Elms College.

Kathleen L. Bernardo, J.D., is a partner at Bulkley Richardson and leads the Real Estate practice group. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate matters such as conveyancing, financing, leasing, title matters and all aspects of complex property transfers, including purchase agreements, easements, liquor license transfers, special permits, regulatory compliance, zoning and variance issues, 1031 Exchange transfers, boundary disputes, public and private conservation restrictions, including agricultural preservation restrictions (APR), petitions to partition and other land court matters. Her probate practice includes the preparation of wills and trusts, estate and trust administration, equity petitions, guardianships and conservatorships. Bernardo received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and her juris doctor degree from Suffolk Law School.

Lawrence F. (Larry) Eagan is the president and CEO of Collins Electric and has been with the company since 1984. Collins Electric is a private company with offices in Chicopee and Pittsfield and sales of over $15 million. John J. Collins, Eagan’s uncle, established the commercial business, which has grown to over 80 employees. Collins Electric is an Elms College vendor and a sponsor of the Executive Leadership Breakfast. Eagan is on the Board of Directors of Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, serves as the Chapter President of Legatus of Western Massachusetts, and is a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Holy Cross.

Lindsey M. Gamble is the director of nursing for Mercy Medical Center, a broad role that carries with it many responsibilities, including staffing, budgeting, training, and ongoing education of the nursing staff. Gamble started her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse. She played a key role in the opening of Mercy’s Innovation Unit, designed to ensure that families of COVID-19 patients stay connected with the patient and the care team during their hospital stay. Gamble is a registered nurse and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Curry College and her master’s in leadership and management from Western Governors University.

Sister of St. Joseph Catherine Ormond serves as pastoral visitor at St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke and most recently was pastoral minister at St. Patrick Church in South Hadley for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, she held counseling positions at Holyoke Catholic High School and Charles River Hospital in Chicopee Falls, and was coordinator of services at Brightside Mental Health Clinic. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Elms College; her certificate of advanced graduate study in rehabilitation counseling from Springfield College; and her master’s in education from Springfield College.

Frank P. Robinson is the vice president of public health for Baystate Health. In this role, Robinson is responsible for integrating clinical and community care to better serve vulnerable people and populations across the spectrum of diversity and create healthier communities. Robinson also represents Baystate Health in the area of community relations by building a shared agenda and common goals for community improvement with neighborhood, community and business representatives, and other key stakeholders. He has led the establishment of the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership (BSEP) and the founding of the Baystate Academy Charter Public School. He earned his doctorate in public health-community health education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; his master’s degree in community psychology from Mansfield University; and his bachelor’s in psychology from State University of New York, Oswego. 

Sister of St. Joseph Betsy Sullivan serves as president of the congregation for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield (SSJs). She has extensive leadership experience, including vice president of the congregation, preceded by three decades as a licensed administrator of Mont Marie Health Care Center, Inc., a licensed nursing home located in Holyoke. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history and education from Elms College; her certificate of elementary school administration from Catholic University; her master’s in human relations and community affairs from American International College; and her master’s in health administration from St. Louis University.

Henry M. Thomas III, J.D., serves as president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Springfield, Inc. Thomas has worked in the Urban League movement for 43 years, serving 39 years as president and CEO. Previously, he served as vice president for youth development with the National Urban League (New York). He is also the former chair of the Springfield Fire Commission and the Springfield Police Commission. Thomas serves as chief executive officer for the historic Camp Atwater, the oldest African American overnight youth camp in the United States, which he reopened in 1980 following a six-year hiatus. He served on the UMass Board of Trustees from 2007 until 2021, and served as chairman in 2012. Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s in human resource development from American International College; and his juris doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law.