Community Advisory Committee

Empowering MMRI's Vision

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is comprised of leaders in the local community that are tasked with developing meaningful connections and potential supporters for MMRI and raising awareness of the institute's impact.

CAC Co-Chairs

Michael W. Kelberman, Ph.D.

CAC Chair
Founder & Board President, The Kelberman Center

Jackie Romano

CAC co-Vice Chair
Senior Vice President of Information Technology & Director of Philanthropy, Fountainhead Group

John F. Romano

CAC co-Vice Chair
CEO, Fountainhead Group

Committee Members

George Aney, Esq.,
Attorney

Boyd Bissell,
Founder and Owner, Heidelberg Bread

Ferris Betrus,
Oneida County IDA; EVP Clinton COC

Dr. Sidney J. Blatt,
Cardiologist

Karen Carey,
Market President/Chief Revenue Officer, Townsquare Media

Laura Casamento, Ed.D,
Past President, Utica University

Anna D’Ambrosio,
President & CEO, Munson

Paul D’Ambrosio,
President & CEO, The Farmers' Museum & Fenimore Art Museum

Alicia Dicks,
Executive Director, Community Foundation

Dr. Frank Dubeck,
Retired Medical Director, Excellus BC/BS

Dr. Brian Gaffney,
Cardiologist, Mohawk Valley Health System

Thomas Gilroy,
Gilroy, Kernan, Gilroy

Dr. Peter R. Gray,
Cardiologist, Member, MMRI Board

Dr. Robert A. Hewson, DPM,
President, MMRI Board

Stephen F. Izzo,
Principal Development Officer, MMRI

Dr. Maria I. Kontaridis,
Executive Director & Director of Research, MMRI

David Manzelmann,
Market President, M&T Bank

Dr. Thor Markwood,
Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Mohawk Valley Health System

Pamela G. Matt,
Development Director, MMRI

Dr. Marybeth McCall,
Physician; President, Boy Scouts of America

Dr. Jason McCarthy,
Scientific Operations Director; Associate Professor, MMRI

Millie Occhionero,
Marketing and Communications Director, MMRI

Shawna Papale,
Executive Director, Mohawk Valley Edge

Linda E. Romano, Esq.,
Attorney, Bond, Schoeneck & King

David F. Schneeweiss,
MMRI Board

Dr. William Streck,
Chief Clinical Officer, Canton & Company; former CEO, Bassett Healthcare Network

Darlene Stromstad, FACHE,
CEO, Mohawk Valley Health System

Eve Van de Wal,
Regional President, Excellus BC/BS

Dr. Randy Van Wagoner,
President, Mohawk Valley Community College

Dr. Henry F. Weil,
Internal Medicine, Bassett Healthcare Network

Frank R. Williams,
Member, MMRI Board

Carolyn Zaklukiewicz,
Burrows Foundation

MMRI Scientific Leadership

Chase Kessinger, Ph.D.

CAC Co-Chairs

Chase Kessinger, Ph.D.