State Representative John Frey spoke before his colleagues in the House Chamber today to support the nomination of Ridgefield resident Nicholas M. Donofrio to serve on the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
Donofrio, a 44-year IBM veteran, led IBM’s technology and innovation strategies from 1997 until his retirement in October 2008. Donofrio holds seven technology patents and is a member of several technical and science honor societies. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1997 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and earned a Master of Science from Syracuse University in 1971 in the same field.
Throughout his professional career, Donofrio concentrated on advancing the education, employment and career opportunities for underrepresented minorities and women having served for years on the Board of Directors for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME). Donofrio also served on the Board of Directors for INROADS, a non-profit organization focused on training and developing minority youths to help them find professional careers in business and industry.
In 2005, Donofrio was appointed by the U.S. Department of Education to serve on the Commission on the Future of Higher Education. This 20-member commission led the way in developing a new national strategy for post-secondary education in our country.
State Representative John Frey spoke strongly in favor for Donofrio’s nomination based on his past accomplishments and philanthropic work for the Town of Ridgefield.
“I was thrilled to hear of Nick Donofrio’s nomination today,” said Frey. “Nick’s charitable nature and bright intellect has greatly contributed to the Ridgefield community and I am certain that his highly distinguished background in engineering and education will serve our state incredibly well.”
The resolution was approved unanimously by the House.
