Board Member Profiles

Michael Ben-David, Trustee

Michael Ben-David, of Franklin Lakes, formerly a practicing attorney, public school teacher, coach, and building-level administrator, currently serves as Superintendent of the West Morris Regional High School District. As Superintendent, he led the authorization of New Jersey’s first International Baccalaureate Career Program with student pathways in Business, Life and Health Science, Political Science & Law, and STEAM. In addition, he has worked to maintain the District’s designation (one of three across the state) by the Department of Education as the home of a Model World Language Program. Trustee Ben-David is a graduate of Rutgers College (B.A.), Seton Hall Law School (J.D.), and the College of Saint Elizabeth (M.Ed).

William F. Dator, Immediate Past Chair

William “Bill” Dator was born in India but moved to his father’s home in Mahwah

at an early age. He is a third generation real estate broker and is currently associated with the Mahwah office of Special Properties-Christie’s International Real Estate  and he is also a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. Trustee Dator attended Monmouth University and studied real estate appraisal at the University of Indiana, the University of Connecticut, and the University of San Francisco Law School. He was formerly Chairman of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority, is currently Vice Chairman of the Mahwah Board of Adjustment, and is an active member of the Mahwah Office of Emergency Management. Trustee Dator has volunteered his time in several leadership roles including: President of the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce, Battalion Chief with the Mahwah Fire Department, President of the Mahwah Ambulance Corps, and is a Trustee of the Mahwah Museum. Professionally, he has served as a Director of Independence Bank and Commerce Bank North. Trustee Dator was the founding President of the Friends of Ramapo and has been actively involved with Ramapo College since 1970.

Gloria Jeong, Student Trustee

Gloria Jeong is a Biology major in the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Dental Medicine 4+4 Early Acceptance Program track. At Ramapo, Trustee Jeong is a student assistant for the Office of the President and the Upward Bound Math & Science Program. Trustee Jeong is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Sophomores Advancing in Leadership, and the Ramapo College Television Club. She volunteers her time in the Patient Advocate Office under the Office of the Director at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. She is passionate about health sciences, volunteerism, music, and the post-production of digital filmmaking. Trustee Jeong enjoys digital filmmaking and draws upon that experiential learning in her role as a member of the Board of Trustees.  After Ramapo, Trustee Jeong plans to become a dentist for communities, societies, and developing countries where dental care is needed the most and access to care is limited. She hopes to always be a learner, a fighter for others, and a bridge that connects relationships and opportunities to one another.

Chris Lopez, Trustee

Chris Lopez, of Oakland, is the founder of ProfiTank, a boutique consulting firm specializing in streamlining overhead and operating costs, business process automation, vendor selection, and negotiating supplier contracts.  A former United States Marine Officer, Chris has vast experience in advising business clients on a range of matters including but not limited to talent management/recruiting, data analytics, and vendor management. Trustee Lopez has also tackled Veterans’ unemployment issues through the development of accredited programs and curricula that helped Veterans become gainfully employed upon transition from military service. He holds a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy.

Albert C. Nieves, Trustee, EOF Liaison

Albie Nieves, of Wood-Ridge, is a Professional Services leader serving industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies, including Mellon HR & Investor Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fiserv, and DocuSign.
Trustee Nieves has extensive experience in executing strategic programs, providing fiscal oversight, change leadership, leading organizations and client relations. He served as the Strategy Services Leader at DocuSign, Vice President, Professional Services with Fiserv/Tegra 118 and currently as a Chief of Staff/consultant for small start ups. Since 2008, he has served as a member and, for almost a decade as President, of the Wood-Ridge Board of Education, leading the expansion and new build of an intermediate school and infrastructure upgrades throughout the district. Trustee Nieves attended Saint Peter’s University and carries a number of professional and technology certifications.

George C. Ruotolo, Jr., CFRE

George C. Ruotolo, Jr., counselor to non-profit organizations and institutions, has been a professional fund raising and public relations executive since 1973. Prior to establishing Ruotolo Associates, he served as vice president of a major public relations fund raising firm and worked in investment banking. Trustee Ruotolo’s expertise encompasses annual development, capital campaigns, planned giving, marketing and public relations programs for dioceses, churches, colleges, school, hospitals and social service organizations on local, regional, and national levels. During his tenure as Chair of the Ramapo College Board, the Board implemented a comprehensive Board Development Program, established policy on presidential evaluation, completed renovations of the science complex and construction of the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, and advanced the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance.  Trustee Ruotolo has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Bergen-Hudson Chapter and is a founding member of the Ridgewood Educational Foundation.

A.J. Sabath ’93, Vice Chair

A.J. Sabath is the President/CEO of the Advocacy and Management Group based in Trenton, NJ. He formerly served as chief of staff to Senate President Richard J. Codey and as the commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Prior to joining the Executive Branch, Trustee Sabath held a number of positions in the New Jersey Legislature. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ramapo College.

David G. Schlussel, Treasurer

David G. Schlussel is one of the founding members of Key Properties LLC, a full service commercial real estate development company dealing with all aspects of industrial, office, hi-tech, retail and residential properties based in Teaneck. Trustee Schlussel has experience in acquisition, development, construction, financing, leasing and management of office, industrial, residential and retail properties. He has served on the Board of Education for Yavneh Academy and is former Chairman of Adult Education for the Jewish Center of Teaneck. He is the founder and Chairman of the Yale Alumni Real Estate Association. He is Chairman Emeritus of NORPAC and has lectured at New York University on real estate development. Trustee Schlussel holds a B.S. from Yale University and an M.S. from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Bartholomew J. Talamini

Bartholomew J. Talamini enjoyed a robust career as a public education professional in New Jersey spending much of his career as a member of the Cliffside Park School District. He maintains the following state certifications: Chief School Administrator, Superintendent of Schools (Finance), Administration / Principal Pre K -12, Supervisor Pre K-12, Reading Specialist K-12, and Teacher of Social Studies and English. Trustee Talamini attended New Jersey City University, Montclair State University, and Seton Hall University.

Susan A. Vallario, Chair

Susan A. Vallario began her professional life as a Land Use Specialist for the State of New Jersey at the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission. After attending law school, she practiced land use, corporate, and commercial real estate law at Beattie Padovano in Montvale. Subsequently, as Vice President and co-owner of Kurt Versen Company, a family held manufacturing firm in Westwood, New Jersey, she was responsible for human resource management, financial management, and regulatory compliance. In addition to her full-time career, Chair Vallario has managed the affairs of several family partnerships and trusts. She earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from Pace University School of Law, an M.A. in Social Relations and a B.A. in Government from Lehigh University, and taught as an adjunct faculty member in the Legal Studies Department at Montclair State University. While on the Board of Directors of the Employers Association of New Jersey (EANJ), Chair Vallario served as the EANJ’s Chair and as a member of its Executive Committee. She has been a member of the New Jersey Bar Association and the Editorial Board of its magazine, “New Jersey Lawyer,” as well as the Bergen County Bar Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association, and Valley Hospital’s Women For Health.

*NJSA18A:64-3. The terms of office of appointed members shall be for six years beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30. Each member shall serve until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the remainders of the unexpired terms.