Foundation Board of Directors
Board Officers
Mr. Harry Bertrand, CFA '81
Mr. Bertrand is a retired Principal and Senior Vice Presdient of S.R. Snodgrass, certified public accountants and consultants based in Wexford. He served as a member of the S.R. Snodgrass Board of Directors and directed the audit practice of the Financial Services Group. Mr. Bertrand earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Slippery Rock University in 1981. He joined the Slippery Rock University Foundation Finance Committee in 2007. Mr. Bertrand has supported a variety of programs through the Slippery Rock University Annual Fund. He is recognized at the Peridot level of the Lifetime Giving Society. Mr. Bertrand currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Michael Cully ‘80
Mr. Cully is President and CEO of United Plate Glass, a fabricator of commercial and residential glass based in Butler. He earned a bachelor of science degree in economics at Slippery Rock University. Mr. Cully recently established the Cully Family Scholarship for students attending Slippery Rock University. In addition, he has been a sponsor of the President’s Galas and annually supports the College of Business, Information, and Social Sciences. Through their philanthropy, Mr. Cully and his wife, Joyce, have achieved the Aquamarine Level of the Lifetime Giving Society. He currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Michael Hufnagel
Mr. Hufnagel is manager of the Slippery Rock Plaza Office of First National Bank. Mr. Hufnagel’s finance and banking experience spans more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Westminster College. Mr. Hufnagel maintains active service to numerous community organizations including Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the Slippery Rock Business Association. He continues to serve as liaison with the Slippery Rock University Foundation for the FNB’s scholarship program for students attending Slippery Rock University. Mr. Hufnagel currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Board Members
Francis J. Aloi
Mr. Aloi is Pittsburgh Market Director of Investments for Hawthorn–PNC Family Wealth. He has served PNC since 1990 in various capacities including Portfolio Manager–Vice President, Investment Operations Manager, Investment Performance Coordinator, and Investment Performance Analyst. Mr. Aloi was awarded the CFA designation in 2000. Previously he chaired the Financial Literacy Committee of the Pittsburgh CFA Institute. Mr. Aloi earned his MBA degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1996, and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics in 1990 from IUP. He and his wife, Tiffany, have endowed the Frank and Tiffany Aloi Scholarship at SRU and have included SRU within their estate plan. They have been recognized for their charitable contributions as members of the Aquamarine Level of the Lifetime Giving Society. Mr. Aloi currently serves as the Chairperson of the Investment Committee.
Ms. Elizabeth Berkely, SPHR, CCMC, '70, '72
After 20+ years of corporate management positions with Fortune 500 companies, Betty has transitioned to a new role as a certified Career Management Coach, working with college graduates and mid-late career professionals to advance their careers. Betty’s corporate career included human resources and senior leadership positions with International Paper, Hoechst Marion Roussel, PNC Bank and Right Management. She also served as the Director of Career Services for the Graduate School of Public and Internal Affairs GSPIA) at the University of Pittsburgh.
Betty is a past president of the SRU Alumni Association and is a recipient of its Outstanding Alumni Award. Former affiliations include the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh and the Northern Regional Chamber of Commerce. Betty also served on the Advisory Board for Strong Women Strong Girls and Urban Pathways Charter School. Past board activity has included the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Pittsburgh Vision Services. Betty is a three-time Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and is a graduate of Leadership Erie. Ms. Berkely is recognized at the Amethyst Level of the Lifetime Giving Society. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Human Resource Committee.
Betty is a past president of the SRU Alumni Association and is a recipient of its Outstanding Alumni Award. Former affiliations include the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh and the Northern Regional Chamber of Commerce. Betty also served on the Advisory Board for Strong Women Strong Girls and Urban Pathways Charter School. Past board activity has included the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Pittsburgh Vision Services. Betty is a three-time Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and is a graduate of Leadership Erie. Ms. Berkely is recognized at the Amethyst Level of the Lifetime Giving Society. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Human Resource Committee.
Ms. Cheryle Campbell '67
Ms. Campbell is the former Director of the U.S. Departemnt of Housing and Urban planning and public administration in western Pennsylvania. In 2015, she was recognized as an SRU Distinguished Alumni and in 2009, she received the Distinguished Alumni honor from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She also holds executive management and community development certifications from Harvard and Northwestern Universities. Notable in Sherry’s career is her commitment to local community development, equal opportunity, and women’s advancement.
Sherry lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and spends winter months at her home in Bradenton, Florida. She loves biking, hiking, golf and can’t wait to start traveling internationally again.
Sherry lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and spends winter months at her home in Bradenton, Florida. She loves biking, hiking, golf and can’t wait to start traveling internationally again.
Mr. Craig Fraser '86
Mr. Fraser is President and CEO of Windtree Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for respiratory diseases and other potential applications. He has more than 28 years of experience as a leader in both product development and commercial operations, and in building biopharmaceutical and device businesses for startups and larger companies. Previously, Mr. Fraser held executive positions at several biopharmaceutical companies, including Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Wyeth, and Johnson & Johnson/Centocor. He is a veteran of both the U. S. Marine Corps and the U. S. Army. A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Mr. Fraser earned a bachelor of science degree in public administration in 1986. His volunteer efforts and dedicated to American Corporate Partners, Wounded Warrior Project, HelpHOPELive, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and the Knights of Columbus. Also, Mr. Fraser supports the Slippery Rock University Student Veterans Association Service Dog Project. Mr. Fraser and his wife, Cindy, reside in Jamison, located in eastern Pennsylvania.
Mr. Richard Harper, Esq. '70
As legal counsel, Mr. Harper has served the Board of Commissioners of Lawrence County and numerous townships, boroughs, municipal authorities, school districts and zoning hearing boards in private law practice. He has served as counsel to public utilities, business organizations, and numerous non-profit organizations. Mr. Harper has served as general counsel to Westminster College and taught business law at Westminster College. He served in the United States Marine Corps and Reserve Components from 1970 to 1976 when he was honorably discharged. In addition, Mr. Harper has served on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, and the Board of Directors of the Lake Latonka Property Owners Association. He earned the bachelor’s degree in education in 1970 at Slippery Rock University, and the Juris Doctor degree at Dickinson School of Law. Mr. Harper and his wife, Brenda, are long-time supporters of Slippery Rock University.
Mr. David Knopp ‘98
Mr. Knopp is part of the ownership team of Grove City County Market, a full-service supermarket located in Pine Grove Square. He graduated from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor of science degree in sports management. Mr. Knopp is involved with numerous community and service organizations and, most recently, established the Grove City Young Professionals – a network group for aspiring business leaders. Mr. Knopp generously supports many SRU programs including ROCK Athletics and is recognized with his wife, Nicole, and parents, David and Victoria, at the Ruby Level of the Lifetime Giving Society.
Mr. Doug McMullen
Mr. McMullen was formerly the President and CEO of McMullen Travel & Tours until he retired in 2019. Doug is a well-respected professional in the travel industry serving individual and group clients. He is active in a number of professional and community organizations including the Pittsburgh SKAL Club and Mercer Knights of Columbus. Mr. McMullen and his wife, Linda, support numerous programs and activities at Slippery Rock University and are recognized at the Ruby Level of the Lifetime Giving Society.
Ms. Gail Paserba ’90
Ms. Paserba is CEO and owner of International Quality Consultants, Inc. (IQC), providing quality control, inspection, and training services to a wide variety of international companies from the nuclear, fossil fuel, renewable energy, and transportation industries. In 1995, Gail and her husband started International Quality Consultants, Inc. where Gail served as controller. After Tom’s passing in 2013, Gail became president of IQC, Inc. and continues, now in the position of Chief Executive Officer, to grow the company as an industry leader in the quality services. Gail is a resident of Butler and serves as a trustee for Butler County Community College and a board member for the Butler Health System Foundation. She was honored in October of 2017 as a Slippery Rock University Distinguished Alumni and was also recognized in March of 2018 as having achieved the 2018 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards. Gail is recognized at the Amethyst Level of the Lifetime Giving Society.
Mr. Mark Palmer ’96
Mr. Mark Palmer, a 1996 SRU graduate with a BS in Business Administration, lives in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. He is President of Integrity Financial Advisors, LLC. Mr. Palmer, a former SRU football player, is a member of the Rock Football National Championship Committee. He and his wife, Stephanie, support an annual scholarship, and are recognized at the Amethyst Level of the Lifetime Giving Society. Mr. Palmer currently serves as Chairperson of the Finance Committee.
Mrs. Jan Sargert '63
A retired attorney, Ms Sargert previously served with the Pittsburgh law firm of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott with a concentration on domestic and international transactions and intellectual property. Also, Ms. Sargert taught English for 14 years in the Baldwin Whitehall School District. Throughout her career, Ms. Sargert has demonstrated her commitment to the betterment of the workplace for women. She was a founding member and past president of WIRED, Women Initiating Regional Economic Development in Western Pennsylvania. Ms. Sargert’s efforts have earned her several distinctions including the Pennsylvania Honor Roll of Distinguished Women, Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business, SRU Outstanding Alumni Award, Leadership Award in the Professions, Women’s Business Advocate of the Year, and Western Pennsylvania Women in Business Advocate of the Year. At Slippery Rock University, Ms. Sargert and her husband, Larry, established the Larry and Janet Sargert Endowed Scholarship to support first-generation students. They have been recognized for their charitable contributions to SRU as a member of the Ruby Level Lifetime Giving Program.
Mr. William Sonntag '70
Mr. Sonntag retired from The First National Bank of Slippery Rock as President and CEO. As its president he lead Slippery Rock Development’s efforts to revitalize downtown Slippery Rock. Mr. Sonntag’s other volunteer activities have included United Way of Butler County, Butler Health System Board of Directors, and Butler County Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the SRU Foundation Board of Directors, He is a member of the President’s Advisory Council, and is a Past President of the SRU Alumni Association. The SRU Outstanding Alumnus in 2000, Mr. Sonntag received the 2012 Robert L. Payton Award for Voluntary Service by CASE District II. Mr. Sonntag and his wife, Jean, are recognized for their generosity to SRU at the Ruby Level of the Lifetime Giving Society.
Ms. Jennifer Walters '89
Ms. Walters is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Trib Total Media, Inc. based in Pittsburgh. She has served that corporation in various capacities since 2003 including Chief Operating Officer – Accounting and Administration, Corporate Controller, Chief Strategic Planning Officer, and Finance Manager. Prior to joining Trib Total Media, Inc., she served as Financial Planning Manager for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ms. Walters serves on the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association Foundation. Also, Ms. Walters is the College Chapter Director for the Delta Zeta Sorority at Slippery Rock University. She earned a bachelor of science degree in Finance at Slippery Rock University in 1989. Ms. Walters resides in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Barry Welsch ‘73
Mr. Welsch worked within the financial services industry for 45 years before retiring in 2018. This included holding a VP position at Mellon Bank before leaving to start his own financial transaction processing company that serviced merchants and community banks in eight states. He also played a leadership role in the formation of Heartland Payment Systems, Inc., a NYSE company valued at $4 billion, that eventually acquired his own company. Mr. Welsch and his wife, Rayanne, established the Barry Welsch Family Scholarship and support numerous programs and projects at Slippery Rock University. They are recognized at the Emerald Level of the Lifetime Giving Society.