Board of Directors
Joseph Andreana, Executive Director of the CT Alliance of Boys and Girls, Inc. Shelton
Andreana has served as a Corporator of Griffin Health Services since 2006. Responsible for the procurement and management of governmental funding efforts in support of the mission of the CT Alliance, Andreana’s extensive business experience includes President & CEO, Oxford Economic Development Corporation and an Adjunct Professor, College of Business, Sacred Heart University. Andreana also has an extensive history of volunteer activities and community involvement with numerous organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Valley United Way, the Valley Advisory Committee of the Community Foundation, former member of the Advisory Board, Katherine Matthies Foundation, Board of Directors of the United Methodist Homes Foundation and former President of the Shelton Jaycees, to name a few. He is a past recipient of the Service to Youth award (1994), Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal award (2001) and Secretary of State Vol unteer Award (2002). A resident of Oxford, Andreana and his wife Patricia, have two children and four grandchildren.
Kenneth Baldyga
Mr. Baldyga is the Vice President of Human Resources at Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University and his M.S. in Industrial Relations from the University of New Haven. Mr. Baldyga has spent much of his careeer as a human resources executive. He was with Risdon AMS in Naugatuck and Thomaston for many years. He also served as an adjunct faculty instructor at Teikyo Post University. Mr. Baldyga served as the chairman for the United Way Campaign of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. He lives in Shelton.
John W. Betkoski III, Commissioner, Department of Public Utilities Control
Chairman of the Board
Received his Bachelor's Degree from Sacred Heart University and Master's from Southern Connecticut State University. Former director of human resources for the Salvation Army, Waterbury, Mr. Betkoski served as a Connecticut State Representative for the 105th District for 10 years,where he was Chairman of the Commerce Committee and a member of the Public Health Committee. Mr. Betkoski He was also a member of the Society to Advance the Retarded and Handicapped. Mr. Betkoski is a member of the United Way of Central Naugatuck Valley Campaign Cabinet, Homeless Community Center of Greater Waterbury Board of Directors, St. Michael's Men's Club and the Beacon Falls Lions Club. He is a past member of the Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen as well as president of the Beacon Falls, Jaycees.
Anthony D'Souza, MD, Vice President of Medical Staff
Anthony W. D'Souza, M.D. graduated with first class honors from the University of Bombay, India, in 1971, thereafter completing his medical degree, also with honors, from the University of Bombay in 1977. He did his Medical Residency and Chief Residency at Lincoln Misericordia New York Medical College in 1981 and completed a Cardiology Fellowship at Bridgeport Hospital in 1984. His interests include Preventive Cardiology and Cardiovascular Imaging and he is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Nuclear Cardiology. He was selected for the 1995 Physician of the Year Award by the Griffin Hospital Nursing Staff and the 1993 Humanistic Award by the Bridgeport Hospital Nursing Staff. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. He holds a board certification in echocardiography. Dr. D'Souza currently practices with Heart Specialists PC of Southern Connecticut in Shelton and Oxford.
Patrick A. Charmel, President and CEO, GHSC
Mr. Charmel has been associated with Griffin Health Services Corporation since 1979 when he became a student intern while attending Quinnipiac College, where he received his bachelors degree. He received a Masters in Public Health from Yale University. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Hospital Association, the Board of Governors of the Quinnipiac Alumni Association, and the Board of Directors of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. Charmel has positioned Griffin Hospital as an award-winning, innovative organization outperforming peer organizations by developing and implementing consumer-driven, patient-focused services that result in high patient satisfaction, while maintaining high operational efficiency.
Wilhemenia Christon
Ms. Christon is a member of The CT Association of Schools, the National Association of Secondary Schools, and The National Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development. She holds a B.A., an Masters, and 6th year degrees all from Southern CT State University. In addition to her service at Griffin Hospital, she is involved with the Birmingham Group in Ansonia, the MDA, and the NAACP of Ansonia. Ms. Christon is a resident of New Haven and enjoys reading and cooking.
Allan J. Cribbins, Jr., President, Derby Cellular Products
Second Vice Chairman
Mr. Cribbins holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport. He is the past treasurer of Fairfield Prep Father's Club. He served on the Shelton Board of Appointment & Taxation, Planning and Zoning Commission. He is a member of the American Helicopter Society. He lives in Shelton with his wife, Anne, and two children.
Robert A. Fox
Treasurer
Received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from New York University and his master’s degree from Stanford University. Mr. Fox, the former Vice President of Finance and Administration, Market Data Retrieval also served as the President of RAF Associates, vice president and treasurer of Oce-Business Systems, Inc. as well as the controller of the real estate division of Xerox Corporation. He serves on the Make A Difference Day Committee for the Town of Westport and the Corporate Volunteer Council. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of Infoline of Southwestern Connecticut. Mr. Fox is a mentor in the Shelton school system. He lives in Westport. A subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Market Data Retrieval, in business for 30 years, supplies educational information used for mailing lists, marketing and analysis to educational marketers such as text book publishers and school supply companies.
Marc J. Garofalo
Mr. Garofalo received his Bachelor Degree from Quinnipiac College and Masters Degrees in Business and Public Administration from the University of New Haven. He was named Outstanding Young Citizen of the Year in 1988 by the Connecticut Jaycees. He formerly served as Mayor of Derby, Director of Public Affairs for the Connecticut State Medical Society and as Political Director for the Friends of Rosa DeLauro. Mr. Garofalo, active in numerous civic, religious and community affairs, is founder and chair of the Youth CONNection Players Scholarship Fund and a stakeholder on the Healthy Valley 2000 initiative.
Linda M. Gentile, State Representative
Ms. Gentile is currently serving as a state representative. Prior to that she acted as the Director of Administrative Affairs/Chief of Staff for Mayor James DellaVolpe of Ansonia and Legislative Assistant to State Senator Joseph Crisco. She received her BA from Sacred Heart University. Ms. Gentile served on the Advisory Board of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, the Valley United Way and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalites. She also served as a delegate for the White House Conference on Small Business asnd as a lobbbyist for the state of Connecticut. Ms. Gentile received the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal for Outstanding Leadership Skills and Community Involvement, the Connecticut Post "Woman of Substance" designation and the Workplace, Inc. Partner of the Year Award.
Jean Crum Jones, Jones Family Farm
Themis Klarides, State Representative - 14th District; Attorney, Shawn K. Splan
Ms. Klarides received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Trinity College and a Juris Doctor from Quinnipicac College School of Law. She was elected tot he 114th Assembly District in 1998 and serves the towns of Derby, Orange and Woodbridge and currently works as an attorney with Attorney Shawn K. Splan of Shelton. She also serves as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission in Derby and is active on the Executive Board and Fundraising Committee for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a member of the Walter Camp foundation, a volunteer with the Derby Police Department Domestic Violence Task Force and is an incorporator with the Birmingham Group. Klarides also serves as a mentor to a local elementary school student in the Derby School Special Friends Program and is an appointed member of the legislature's Juciary, Education, and Public Health Committees. She is a native of Seymour, CT and currently resides in Derby. Klarides was elected to the board in January 2006.
George S. Logan, Director of Capital & Planning, Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut
Mr. Logan received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Trinity College in 1991 and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport in 1995. He is currently the Direcotr of Capital and Planning at the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut. His volunteer activites include his position as Commission Chairperson with the State of Connecticut African-American Affairs Commission, Board Member of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Trinity Engineering Advisory Council, Vice President of Programs and Board Member with Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut, Committee Chairman with Aquarion's Black History Month Committee, and Mentor with The Bridgeport Mentoring Program. Logan was the recipient of the Bridgeport Engineering Institute Award for Distinguished Community Service in 1994, The Latimer School Award for outstanding service, in 1994, the BHC Laurel Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1994, winner of a 1997 Gold Connecticut Innovation Prize and was a recipient of the Secretary of State's 2003 Public Service Award. Logan currently resides in Ansonia and was elected to the board in 2005.
Paul B. Nussbaum, M.D. Chairman Department of Nephrology at Griffin Hospital
Dr. Nussbaum received his BA from Brooklyn College and his medical degree from the State University of New York in Syracuse. He is a member of the International Society of Nephrology, the American Society of Nephrology and the American College of Physicians. He is an active member of the community and serves as a coach for his children's Little League Baseball team. He enjoys music, astronomy and hiking. He and his wife Estelle live in Guilford and have 2 children.
Frank M. Osak, Jr. Chairman and Executive Vice President, Derby Cellular Products
Secretary
Mr. Osak, the former chairman of the Shelton Planning Commission and member of the Economic Development Committee, has been affiliated with Griffin Hospital since 1966 when he was elected as a corporator. He served as hospital trustee for numerous years after taking on positions as 2nd vice president, 1st vice president and, in 1985, chairman of the GHSC Board for four terms. He lives in Shelton with his wife, Navia, and two children.
William C. Powanda. Vice President, Support Services, Griffin Health Services Corporation
Associated with Griffin since 1975. Mr. Powanda received his Bachelor Degree from Quinnipiac University. A former Connecticut State Senator, Mr. Powanda served on the Executive and Coordinating Committee of the National Coalition for Healthier Cities and Communities. He is the chair of the Greater Valley Alliance for Economic Growth, a regional economic development coalition, and chair of the Valley Health and Human Services Organization. He serves as chair of the Naugatuck River Valley All-America City delegation. Mr. Powanda was a member of the Governor's/Child Advocate Committee and co-chair of the New Haven Region America's Promise Alliance For Youth. Mr. Powanda lives in Seymour with his wife, Glynis. They have two sons.
Jeffrey J. Ramos, Chief Operating Officer, EntreCap Financial Corporation
Prior to assuming his current position with EntreCap, a provider of creative leasing and financing solutions, Ramos spent nearly 20 years with Pitney Bowes in various executive positions including Vice President and Treasurer, where he was responsible for Treasury Operations worldwide including all financing activity for Pitney Bowes Financial Services and its subsidiaries. He was most recently Vice President, New Business Development at Pitney Bowes and also held various positions in the Securities and Treasury Divisions of Teachers Insurance Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) in New York prior to joining Pitney Bowes. Ramos has been an active leader in the Valley community having played key roles in Pitney’s contributions and efforts for the Valley United Way, Corporate Volunteer Council and Special Olympics of Connecticut. Ramos was recognized in 2001 for his outstanding leadership in the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce having served as Chairman of its Board of Directors for three years. He has also served on the Board of Directors of WorldBusiness Capital, a finance company specializing in lending in international markets and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Treasurers and National Investor Relations Institute. He lives in Woodbridge with his wife Jennifer and their four children.
Kenneth V. Schwartz, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P., Medical Director
Dr. Schwartz is President and Senior Partner of Cardiology Associates of Derby. He also serves as Chief of Cardiology and Assistant Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Griffin. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Schwartz is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor Degree at Princeton and his Medical Degree at Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Schwartz lives in Milford with his wife, Maureen.
Gerald T. Weiner, Attorney, Weinstein, Weiner, Ignal, Vogel and Shapiro in Bridgeport
First Vice Chairman
He received his juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut Law School. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the State Investment & Advisory Council for the State Treasurer's Office. He was the chairman of the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee and the neutral arbitrator on the state Board of Arbitration and Mediation. He lives in Woodbridge with his wife, Tina, and their three children.
John J. Zaprzalka, CPA
Immediate Past Chairman
A Griffin corporator since 1989, Mr. Zaprzalka is a partner in the firm, Apicella, Testa & Company, P.C., in Shelton. He received his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Fairfield University, served as manager of accounting at Gaylord Hospital for several years and is a consultant to numerous medical practices. He serves on the board of the Valley Community Foundation and is a corporator of both the Valley United Way and Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley. He is also a member of the Seymour Republican Town Committee, American Institute of CPAs and Connecticut Society of CPA's. Mr. Zaprzalka is a lifelong Valley resident and currently lives in Seymour with his wife, Laura and two children, Alyssa and Andrew.