Fairfield University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business launches Dolan Advisory Council with top business leaders | Press Releases

Seventeen top executives from an array of prominent companies have joined the new Dolan Advisory Council for Fairfield University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business, which will be led by John O'Neill, a Partner and America's Director of Private Equity at Ernst & Young. O'Neill is a 1971 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

The new council is charged with advising the dean of the Dolan School on broad issues that serve the long-range goals of the School; assisting in identifying speakers and promoting educational programs of the School; assisting the School in meeting its financial development needs; and acting as a confidential sounding board to the dean on issues pertaining to the advancement of the School and the achievement of its vision.

"We are fortunate to have such committed and high profile individuals on our Advisory Council," said Norman Solomon, Ph.D., dean of the Dolan School. "Each member brings a tremendous amount of business experience as well as a strong commitment to what we are doing at the Dolan School."

"I am honored to be the chair of the Advisory Council working with such a prestigious group of individuals," O'Neill said. "The theme of our first Advisory Council meeting was finding ways to get engaged, be it assisting as mentors of students, serving as guest lecturers, providing student internships, introducing high profile speakers, or just being a knowledgeable sounding board for the dean."

The new council will ultimately consist of 25 members. Currently, the council has 16 members in addition to O'Neill. Serving on the executive committee are:

Chris Desmarais , senior vice president and director of Institutional Marketing for Gabelli Asset Management Company, and a 1993 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in economics;
Kevin Piccoli , executive vice president and chief auditor for Bank of New York, and a 1979 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in accounting;
Ernest Pittarelli , chief operating officer for Sailfish Capital;
Joseph Sargent , former president and CEO of Guardian Life, and a 1959 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in English; and
Maive Scully , senior vice present and chief financial officer for GE Capital and a 1976 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Serving as general members of the Advisory Council are:

William Atwell , executive vice president and president, Retail, for Charles Schwab & Co., and a parent of a Fairfield University student, class of 2008;
Frank Carroll , managing director for Oaktree Capital, and a 1989 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's in history;
Sheila Clancy , managing director for Pequot Capital, and a 1991 graduate of Fairfield University with a master's degree in financial management;
Steve DeMatteo , senior vice president and principal for York Investment, and a 1989 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in finance;
Stephen Hollingsworth , senior vice president for Wachovia Securities, and a 1984 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in marketing;
Kevin Kelleher , president and CEO of Danbury-based Cendant Mobility, and a 1976 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in politics;
Chris McCormick , president and CEO of L.L. Bean, and a 1977 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in psychology;
Andrew McMahon , senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives Group, for AXA Financial, and a 1989 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in computer science;
Oliver Patrell , former chairman and president of Colonial Penn Insurance;
Tim Reis , a consultant, and a 1983 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in English; and
Kevin Shea , executive director for Goldman Sachs and a 1987 graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in English.

The new council replaces a more informal organization that previously acted in an advisory capacity to the Dolan School.

The Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University is a leader in business curriculum innovation. An AACSB International-accredited program, The Dolan School annually serves 1,500 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs, preparing students to advance within their professions and empowering them to become leaders in their fields. In addition to substantial professional business experience, faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their scholarship. The School, which is profiled in The Princeton Review's prestigious "Best 237 Business Schools" graduate program guide for 2006, is housed in a technology-rich building dedicated to excellence in a business-learning environment - a facility that is among the best in the nation. For more information on the Dolan School of Business program offerings, call (203) 254-4070, or e-mail gradadmis@mail.fairfield.edu.