Dr. Christine D. Cea '88 is the new CSI Foundation Board President.
The College of Staten Island (CSI) Foundation Board of Directors recently elected Dr. Christine D. Cea ’88 as its new President.
Dr. Cea is currently a researcher at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in developmental disabilities. In addition, she is a member of the New York State Board of Regents. Her experience at CSI includes former President of the Friends of CSI, and Adjunct Lecturer in Psychology and Sociology. She is Chair of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council, and a member of the Borough President’s Advisory Board on Disability and the Board of Directors of the Staten Island Mental Health Society.
She also serves on the local Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Human Rights Committee on Informed Consent, and she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by Soroptimist International for her work as a rights advocate for people with disabilities. Dr. Cea received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from CSI, and her Master of Arts degree in Psychology and her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Fordham University.
CSI President Dr. Tomás D. Morales, commented, “The Foundation is proud to have Dr. Cea, a CSI alumna with long and distinguished history of service to the people of Staten Island and the State of New York, as its new Board President. Her experience and commitment to the College will be valuable assets as she directs the future of the Foundation.”
The Board also approved a new slate of officers, including Samir Farag, Vice President; Joseph M. Ricciutti ’94, Secretary; and Edgar Rios, Esq., Treasurer.
Samir Farag, who previously served as Secretary of the Foundation Board, is the founder and President of Worldwide Electronic Corporation. He serves on a number of boards of directors for organizations including the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Staten Island Mental Health Society, and he is President and Chairman of the Board of the Staten Island Rotary Club. He also participates in a number of committees, such as the General Committee of the Friends of CSI, and he belongs to a number of business and community organizations.
Joseph Riccuitti is the President of the Staten Island Yankees. Prior to his current post, he served as Director, Alfred Lerner Hall/University Event Management at Columbia University. He was also Director of Stadium Events at the Richmond County Ballpark and a Facilities Director at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Mr. Riccuitti received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from CSI and a Master’s in Management and Producing (with Honors) from Columbia University.
Edgar Rios, Esq. is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Wenzi Capital Partners. Prior to his post at Wenzi Capital, he was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of AmeriChoice Corporation, which he co-founded in 1989. He has also served as a staff attorney at the Los Angeles District Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Rios holds an AB from Princeton University and a JD from Columbia University.
In addition to the new officers, Jeffrey O. Schnorbus, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Northfield Bancorp, Inc., was elected as a new Board member to a three-year term. Mr. Schorbus has held various financial positions at Northfield, including Principal Accounting Officer and Controller, since 1991. His résumé also includes Senior Accountant with the Office of Thrift Supervision from 1987 to 1990 and Auditor with Touche Ross & Co. from 1985 to 1987. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York; a member of a number of professional associations, including the New Jersey Bankers Association, where he is Chairperson; and he is a graduate of Wagner College.
The reelected members of the CSI Foundation include Joseph A. Franzese ’88; John Mazza; Richard M. Prinzi, Jr., CPA ’93; Peter Salvatore; and Norma D’Arrigo.
In addition, Dr. Gordon Di Paolo is the new Faculty Representative (voting member) of the Foundation.
As the College’s fundraising body, the CSI Foundation supports many educational initiatives at the College. For more information about the CSI Foundation call 718.982.2365.
