Ms. Ada Morell joined the Board of Trustees in December 2004. A Kean alumna, she graduated from the University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in English education and later earned her Master of Science degree in education from St. Joseph's College of Maine. She has been the vice president and co-owner of A.M. Title Agency, Inc., now located in Elizabeth, N.J., since 1987. Under her leadership, Ms. Morell ensures compliance with legal requirements, evaluates production standards, sets agency policy and oversees public relations.
In her present role, she draws on years of experience in the legal industry, where she first worked as a certified paralegal and later as a sales representative for a title agency. Prior to that, Ms. Morell, a fluent speaker of Spanish, was an immigration program coordinator at North Hudson Community Action Program. She is the proud parent of two children, Carlos Estevez, a New Jersey State Trooper, and daughter Lisa M. Stickel, a biology teacher at Freehold (N.J.) Regional High School. Ms. Morell currently resides in Monroe Township, N.J.
Mr. D'Agostino was appointed to the Board of Trustees on June 21, 2004. A lifelong resident of Union County and a strong advocate of labor rights, he first joined the Carpenters Union Local 715 in 1977. He served the union in several key capacities including as local business representative, treasurer for the Union County Building Trades and vice president of the County Labor Council.
Mr. D'Agostino has also given his time to vital governmental agencies. He has served as a member of the Union County Labor Advisory Board since 1996 and a trustee for the Union County Economic Development Corporation since 1997.
Ms. Baltimore, a retired elementary-school teacher of 38 years, joined the Board of Trustees on June 21, 2004. Ms. Baltimore specialized in the areas of reading, math, language arts and science. She also worked as a certified special-education resource-program teacher, teaching and counseling children with special needs. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Shaw University in her hometown of Raleigh, N.C. and a Master of Arts in supervision and administration from Seton Hall University, Ms. Baltimore has taught in schools in the states of Ohio, New York and New Jersey. She resides East Orange, N.J., where she has been a resident for over 40 years.
Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi was named superintendent of the Union County Vocational-Technical School District in July 1994. During his tenure at UCVTS, Dr. Bistocchi established the Union County Adult Vocational-Technical High School in 1995 for young, at-risk high school dropouts, as well as the Union County Magnet High School for Science, Mathematics and Technology in 1997. Since its inception, the Magnet has been one of the highest performing schools in New Jersey and the recipient of many awards. In 2002, under Dr. Bistocchi's leadership, the District opened two additional high schools - the full-time Union County Vocational-Technical High School and the Academy for Information Technology. In June, 2006, each school graduated its initial class. In September, 2005, the District opened its fourth full-time high school, the Academy for Allied Health Sciences. In September of 2008, the District opened its fifth high school - the Union County Academy for the Performing Arts in partnership with Kean University.
Dr. Bistocchi also serves as a board member for the New Jersey Council of County Vocational Schools and served as president of the organization from July 2003 to July 2005. He has been Secretary and President of the Union County Workforce Investment Board, and served as President of the Union County Educational Services Commission Board of Directors through 2011.
Dr. Bistocchi also serves as a member to the Board of Commissioners for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and assumed the role of chairman of the Board of Commissioners in 2011. He also serves as the MSA Board of Trustees Secretary. Dr. Bistocchi received his Bachelor's Degree from Bloomsburg University, his C.A.S.E Degree from Johns Hopkins University and his doctoral degree in Educational Administration from Rutgers.
Mr. Enlow was appointed to the Kean University Board of Trustees in September 2001, and named chair of the Board in September 2006. He retired as chair and CEO of Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison, one of the top 100 private companies in New Jersey with revenues of $150 million and more than 350 employees. Prior to assuming the leadership mantle at Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allision, Mr. Enlow served the company in various engineering, financing, sales and legal-management capacities from 1964 to 1966 and again from 1970 to 1981. Before rejoining Atlantic Detroit Diesel Allison in 1987, Mr. Enlow was president of Penske GM Power.
Mr. Enlow graduated from Indiana University Law School with a J.D. in 1968. He is a member of the Indiana Bar Association; the American Bar Association; the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association; the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee; the Board of Directors of Clarke Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc.; former president and board member of Metropolitan Equipment Dealers Association; and chair of the North American Distributor Council. Mr. Enlow is a contributor, fund-raiser and speaker for various organizations, including Junior Achievement and the Optimist Club. The spectacular new Enlow Recital Hall located on the university's East Campus was named in honor of the leadership and generosity of Mr. Enlow and his wife Shelley.
From 1968 to 1969, Mr. Enlow served in the legal office of the Staff Judge Advocate's Office at Fort Rucker, Ala. He received a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for his service as captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.
Mr. Enlow resides in Chester, N.J.
Steven Fastook is an award winning Media Production Executive in network entertainment, sports and news. CNBC, the world’s leading business news entity, is owned by Comcast's NBC Universal unit.
Fastook is currently Senior Vice President of Operations for CNBC. He is responsible for production and operations of the network. In this role Fastook has advanced the use of technology and launched the first ever totally digital process at CNBC, the creation of which was seen as a benchmark in the industry. In 2011 Steve and his team created a groundbreaking production tool called 4D which received an IBC Innovation award.
Over the span of his career, Fastook has been the recipient of 9 Emmy Awards for his work covering the 1988 Seoul Olympics; creation of the national syndicated Rosie O’Donnell Show; graphic design, studio production & remotes, and special events like the Macy*s Parade.
In 2006, Fastook received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Kean University. In 2007, he was inducted into the Nutley Hall of Fame. Steve is also an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University in NJ. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Kean University Foundation. He also sits on the board for the International Radio and Television Society, an organization dedicated to enhancing education for media students.
Dave Gibbons serves as president of David O. Evans, Inc., the operating company for a commercial real estate business. The affiliates of David O. Evans, Inc. include several real estate holding companies, including Elberon Development Co. The business owns and manages approximately 2 million square feet of commercial space in northern New Jersey, with much of the portfolio located in the city of Elizabeth. Mr. Gibbons oversees all aspects of the company, in conjunction with the CEO, including capital allocation, asset management, financial analysis, personnel, and strategic planning, with particular focus on acquisitions, construction, and development.
Prior to becoming President of David O. Evans, Inc. in 2011, Mr. Gibbons served as a Partner for Seagis Property Group, an entity that owns and operates over 7 million square feet, including approximately 2 million square feet in New Jersey. Mr. Gibbons oversaw the firm's New Jersey office, with responsibility for acquisitions, leasing, development, and construction.
Mr. Gibbons currently serves as a board member for First Bank, Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation, Newark Legacy Charter School, Elizabeth Development Company, and NAIOP-NJ, a commercial real estate trade organization. He chairs the Compensation and Nominating committees at First Bank, and serves as Treasurer for Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation.
During his career, he has served other boards of directors. From 2005-2007, he served as Chairman of Synergy Bank, a $1 billion asset community bank, until its sale in October, 2007. He also served as Board Chair of Elizabeth Development Company, the YMCA of Eastern Union County, and Newark Legacy Charter School. From 1999-2005, he served as a trustee for Trinitas Hospital.
Mr. Gibbons obtained a BS in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, and JD from Cornell Law School.
Mr. Kean was appointed to the Board of Trustees in June of 2012. He is currently President and a Member of the Board of Directors of BCN Telecom, Inc., a New Jersey based competitive local exchange carrier. Prior to joining BCN, he served as Managing Director and head of the energy group at Avondale Partners, a boutique investment bank based in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Kean's background includes serving in leadership positions as a senior executive in public, private and non profit entities working in both domestic and international markets. He also has extensive experience serving on a number of boards including public and private corporations, and non profit entities. He was a founding member of the Kean University Foundation where he served as a board member for close to 25 years. In addition to his long service at the Kean University Foundation, his dedication to education includes service on the boards of the TVRC Education Foundation and the Morristown Beard School, and as NJ State Chairman of the School Counts Campaign.
He received his bachelor's degree from Lake Forest College and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He currently resides in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
Mr. Keller was appointed to the Kean University Board of Trustees in June of 2012. He is a Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management where he advises both high-net worth families and small businesses on all facets of their financial life. Mr. Keller has 32 years of experience in the financial markets and specializes in municipal debt and equity asset management.
Mr. Keller earned a B.A. in Economics from Colgate University. He has three sons and resides in Short Hills, NJ with his wife Susan.
Ms. Lewis has served on the Board of Trustees since February 2003. She is a guidance counselor at Elizabeth High School in the Elizabeth, N.J., school district where she also serves as a member of the school-management team. In addition, Lewis is an education and management consultant, providing services to private, public and nonprofit organizations.
Ms. Lewis served the federal government in the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights from 1978 to 1986. She was charged with supervising equal-opportunity specialists and secretarial staff in the Post-Secondary Division. Ms. Lewis was also charged with overseeing written and verbal information to the division's director and the regional director regarding complaint investigations and compliance reviews. In addition, she conducted workforce analysis of the utilization and underutilization of the handicapped, women and minorities in the workforce and reviewed post-secondary institutions in Region II to determine whether or not they were in compliance.
From 1978 to 1984, Ms. Lewis conducted investigations under the authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Americans with Disabilities Act and the Vocation Rehabilitation Act.
Ms. Lewis was director of Affirmative Action at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y., from 1977 to 1978. After obtaining a Master of Arts in guidance and counseling from Atlanta University in 1974, she began her career as a psychological counselor at Bloomsburg State University in Bloomsburg, Pa. She currently resides in Union, New Jersey.
Matthew P. McDermott joined the The Kaufman Zita Group (KZG) in 2018 as Senior Vice President. Prior to joining the Kaufman Zita Group, Matt served in two administrations, including seven years as a senior staff member to Governor Chris Christie, and held senior leadership positions in four state departments.
Most recently, he worked as the Assistant Commissioner for Government and Community Relations at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Previously, he served in various roles including, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Director of Appointments for Governor Chris Christie, and as Director of Communications for the New Jersey Department of Treasury. Matt was also the Principal of McDermott Public Affairs, a successful full service public affairs consulting firm, from 2002-2010.
Matt received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He currently resides in Cranford and has a son, Owen.
Edward T. Oatman has more than 16 years of governmental experience and currently serves as Union County Manager. He has responsibility for the day-to-day operations and budget of a 21-municipality government with approximately 2,800 full-time employees. He is also responsible for the implementation of the policy of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Over the years, he has worked to assist NJ State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (D-22) and former NJ Assemblywoman Linda Stender in developing landmark environmental, public safety, health and infrastructure legislation.
Mr. Oatman has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Kean University. He has been active in his hometown of Woodbridge, having served on the Boards of the Woodbridge Little League; and the Woodbridge Township Youth Soccer Association. He is a member of the Mawbey Street School & Woodbridge Middle School PTO.
Mr. Oatman is married and has three children..
Ms. Sobel, a Kean University graduate, was first appointed to the Board of Trustees in July 2000. She is president of the Sobel Family Foundation, and organization actively involved in charitable research, development and giving around the world. Ms. Sobel and her husband, former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Cliff Sobel, H '97, are still actively involved in a number of projects in Brazil, including health care programs that provide breast cancer screening and treatment for impoverished women. Ms. Sobel serves as the Board of Trustees representative on the Kean University Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mr. Trabert is a consultant who develops public affairs strategies for businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Previously, he headed the public affairs function for the global manufacturing division of Merck & Co., Inc., responsible for communications with its government and community constituencies. He also served as an executive educator at The Center for Corporate Citizenship in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College where he provided educational and consultative services to the Center's clients. Mr. Trabert has a record of personal involvement in civic affairs. He served on the Civilian Public Affairs Committee of the U.S. Military Academy and was Chairman of the Overlook Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees. He has been a member of the New Jersey Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association. Mr. Trabert served on Governor Brendan Byrne's Task Force on the Arts and was an executive consultant on Governor Thomas Kean's committee to study the organization of New Jersey state government. The Puerto Rican Family Institute recognized him with the Agustin Gonzalez Award for his work on the Institute's long-range development plan. Mr. Trabert is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and Stevens Institute of Technology. During military service, he held both command and staff positions in the U.S. and overseas, including service on the faculty at West Point as an assistant professor of engineering. He is married to the former Germaine Keogh. They reside in Westfield, N.J. and have two daughters.
MS. KRISTEN FAILLA • STUDENT TRUSTEE
Kristen Failla is currently a Junior majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology. In addition to serving on the board, she is involved as Vice President of the organization Operation Smile, a Gold leader for the Leadership Institute where she also serves as a Mentor, volunteers as a Student Ambassador for the Sociology Department, and works as a Service Specialist for the Center for Leadership and Service. Kristen plans on pursuing a career as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is currently working towards that goal by interning at a local Marriage and Family Therapy private practice.
Ms. Kelly was named executive assistant to the Board of Trustees in July 2004, and executive director of university relations in July 2009. She previously worked as a project specialist for Kean's Department of Public Administration, developing initiatives such as the University's Homeland Security conferences, the Certificate in Emergency Management program, and the LEAD NJ training program for public officials. She secured the state grant that brought the continuing education program for New Jersey's fire officials and firefighters to Kean University. Ms. Kelly previously worked as a newspaper reporter for 10 years with both the Asbury Park Press and Home News Tribune, specializing in state government, politics and the budget process. She served as deputy communications director in the New Jersey Office of the Governor under Gov. Jim Florio, and as communications director for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation for Mayor Rudy Giuliani's administration. She then served as a senior vice president at Siegel & Gale, a strategic branding and Internet consulting firm based in New York City.
