(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)January 26, 2004

Robert R. Ceberio, Douglas H. Dittrick, Frances K. Hackett, and Robert E. Striano are Honorees;
Gary U.S. Bonds to Entertain

(Mahwah) – The Ramapo College Foundation’s 2004 Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner, to be held Saturday, March 6 at the Rockleigh Country Club, will honor four distinguished citizens for their leadership and commitment to higher education: Robert R. Ceberio, executive director, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission; Douglas H. Dittrick, president and CEO, Douglas Communications Corporation II; Frances K. Hackett ’80, vice president of group insurance program management, Prudential Financial; and Robert E. Striano, president, Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.

Entertainment for the gala will be provided by Gary U.S. Bonds, who has transcended the decades with hits from the ’60s including New Orleans, Quarter to Three, School is Out and Dear Lady Twist and from the ’80s, This Little Girl, Jole Blon, Out of Work and Daddy’s Come Home. Promotional copies of Gary Bonds first hit, New Orleans, were delivered to radio stations in sleeves inscribed with Buy U.S. Bonds,” earning the performer the stage name of Gary U.S. Bonds. In 1980, a chance meeting between Bonds and Bruce Springsteen fostered a friendship and a musical collaboration, resulting in a new decade of hits. A performer and a songwriter, Bonds was nominated for the Country Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year.” He tours with his group, the RoadRockers, performing his hits, new songs and R&B selections. Additional entertainment for the evening features the dance band Soiree.

Proceeds from the annual dinner help to fund student scholarships, faculty research and critical college projects. The evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner program, dancing and entertainment. Black tie is preferred. For more information, please contact Kathleen Austin at 201.684.6834 or kaustin@ramapo.edu.

THE HONOREES

Robert R. Ceberio, executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, has served in a variety of capacities since 1981 including deputy executive director, director of administration, administrator of Solid Waste Rate Management and acting chief financial officer.

As deputy executive director, Ceberio served as CEO and was directly responsible for the acquisition of over 1,900 acres of wetlands for open space preservation, the implementation of over 12 redevelopment plans/projects, the creation of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, and the development of active and passive recreation facilities. Ceberio also guided the Meadowlands Commission’s proposal to convert five landfills into a golf/commercial development.

Prior to joining the Commission, he worked for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the New Jersey Senate, and the Township of Lyndhurst. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Political Science and Public Administration. Ceberio has been a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) since 1996.

Ceberio is also an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he teaches courses in the Master of Administrative Science (MAS) and Master in Public Administration (MPA) programs. He is also an instructor in the New Jersey Certified Managers Program.

He and his wife, Carol, have three children, Mathew, Luke, and Katherine Rose.

Douglas H. Dittrick is president and CEO of Douglas Communications Corporation II, which he founded in 1986. Active in the cable television field since 1966, he has previously served as chairman of the National Cable Television Association. Dittrick is a director of Vornado Operating Company and past director of Fleet Bank, N.A.

Dittrick has always been active in civic and non-profit groups. He is currently chairman of the Valley Health System and past chairman of the Valley Hospital. He served on the Ridgewood Board of Education where he was president for five years.

He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where he has served as president of the Alumni Association and chairman of the Board of Trustees. Dittrick has also served as national president of his college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta.

Dittrick is currently on the national board of the American Red Cross and serves as the northeast regional president of the Boy Scouts of America. He is on the board of the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation and is active in his local Rotary Club, CASA, and the Community Church of Upper Ridgewood.

Dittrick is married to the former Barbara Slocum and they have lived in Ridgewood since 1973. They have three daughters, all of whom are married, and nine grandchildren.

Frances K. Hackett is a 1980 graduate of Ramapo College with a B.S. in Business Administration and American Studies. She began her education at Ramapo College in 1973 as a full-time student, leaving in 1974 to join Prudential Financial and returning in 1976 as a part-time student to complete her degree.

Hackett is currently vice president of program management for Prudential’s group insurance business. Her responsibilities include the management of Prudential’s largest group client and special projects with significant organizational impact. During her tenure at Prudential, Hackett has held a wide range of positions in operations, account management, human resources, compliance and project management.

She has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Efficiency II and The Policy Advisory Committee of the Administrative Office of the New Jersey Courts. Hackett has also served on the Advisory Group for the School of Healthcare Related Professionals at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and was a member of the state Health Insurance Advisory Association.

Hackett has supported Ramapo College as a member of the Strategic Planning Executive Committee and continues to participate on the School of Administration and Business Advisory Board. She resides in South Plainfield with her husband, Dave, and son, David.

Robert E. Striano, president of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., is responsible for all sales, marketing, operations and finance functions in support of Konica Minolta products. Striano joined Konica Photo Imaging in 1999, after serving as president at the Recording Media and Energy Group (RMEG) at Sony Electronics where he was responsible for sales and marketing activities of Sony branded and OEM recording media products.

Striano launched his career with Procter & Gamble. He has also served as executive vice president at Reckitt & Colman prior to his seven years with RMEG at Sony Electronics.

A native of New Jersey, Striano earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fordham University and has completed executive MBA courses at Columbia and Harvard Business Schools, as well as IMD Switzerland. He is listed in Who’s Who in U.S. Executives-1990 and was a vice president/executive board of the Ellis Island Commission.

Striano is active in several charitable organizations, including the Columbus Citizens Foundation, where he is on the Board of Governors, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and is vice president of the New York Law Enforcement Association. In addition, he is on the boards of Exceptional Parent Magazine, the Ramapo College Foundation, and YCS Youth Consultation Service.

Striano currently resides in Manhattan with his wife Jane and his daughter, Diana.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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