ESU Announces Governor’s Appointments to Its Council of Trustees

L. Patrick Ross’67, chair of East Stroudsburg University’s Council of Trustees (COT), announced the appointment of three new board members during the COT’s September board meeting. Ms. Tameko Patterson of East Stroudsburg, Mr. Frank Epifano of Daleville, Pa., and ESU alumnus Mr. Thomas J. Grayuski ’84 of East Stroudsburg were appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Wolf, based on confirmation by the State Senate, and will each serve a six-year term.

“I’m delighted to have these individuals join the University’s Council of Trustees,” said COT chair and ESU alumnus L. Patrick Ross ’67. “Each of them bring unique professional knowledge to the Council and are certain to offer great perspective to our membership as we help ESU’s administrative team navigate the difficult challenges facing higher education institutions these days. I look forward to working with them and our current COT members to continually make ESU and the Pocono Region a great place for students to get an outstanding educational experience.”

ESU’s COT consists of 11 members, appointed by the Governor, including one undergraduate student. Primarily, the trustees are responsible for making recommendations to the Chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) regarding appointments and retention of the University president, University operations which include (but are not limited to) the approval of the university budget, institution of new academic programs, contracts, fees, and tuition.

Mrs. Patterson is a project management institute and IBM certified project manager with more than 20 years of experience managing large, complex, multi-million dollar projects across several industries including technology, banking, finance, securities, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, she is currently president of the Stroudsburg School Board and a member of Monroe Career and Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee. She is also a member of the board of directors for the Pocono Mountains United Way, Stroudsburg Little Bethel Historical Association and serves as the first vice president of the Monroe County NAACP. Patterson has received numerous awards and recognitions including: 2017 Ernest E. Just Scholarship Award presented by the Alpha Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; 2019 Trailblazer Award presented by Monroe County Commissioners; 2019 MLK Community Service Award presented by ESU; 2019 Community Service Award presented by Monroe County NAACP; and several citations from state and local elected officials.

Mr. Epifano recently retired as vice president of North America and Global Finance for Commercial Operations for Sanofi Pasteur, an international leader in pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines. In addition to his previous traditional North American finance responsibilities, he served as chair of the U.S. Management Committee providing oversight and coordination among the Sanofi Pasteur U.S. functional areas as well as the Canadian Management Committee and the Global Finance Committee. Epifano previously served as Sanofi Pasteur’s vice president of finance, U.S. and the Americas, for four years. He was hired in 1996 as manager for sales analysis, and was promoted to director for financial planning and selling process analysis in 1997. He continued to rise within the organization and was appointed executive director and controller for the U.S. Business Unit the following year. He became vice president, finance, U.S. in 2002. Epifano is a member of Financial Executives International, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the Pennsylvania Business Council Policy Roundtable and is a member of the Boards of Directors/Trustees for Marywood University, Community Medical Center, Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

Mr. Grayuski currently serves as senior vice president and human resources manager at ESSA Bank & Trust. He joined ESSA Bank & Trust in 1996. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from ESU, a master of science degree in human resources administration from the University of Scranton, and is a 1999 graduate of the Leadership Pocono program. Beyond his work with ESSA, Grayuski serves as: board member for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono; chairperson for the Pocono Visiting Nurse Association/Hospice Board; and co-chair for the Monroe Career Pathways Coalition and general advisory committee member for the Monroe Career & Technical Institute. Grayuski also served on numerous other boards and committees over the years such as Burnley Workshop, Advisory Council for Blue Cross of NEPA, East Stroudsburg Revitalization Committee, Cavalier Baseball Diamond Club, East Stroudsburg Little League, East Stroudsburg/Stroudsburg Senior Little League, Senior Little League District Representative, East Stroudsburg Youth Association football coach and tee-ball coach, YMCA basketball coach, the United Way of Monroe County Funds Distribution Committee and Loan Executive.

“ESU’s leadership team relies on the expertise of COT members to help us chart the course for the University’s success and, more importantly, the accomplishments of our students,” said ESU’s Interim President Kenneth Long. “These newest members bring many years of business acumen community involvement to the council and I look forward to working with them to help our University, and especially our students to achieve greatness and overcome obstacles.”

Search

Recent Posts