HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Former IBM executive Nicholas Donofrio of Ridgefield will take over the chairmanship of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday.
Malloy also named JoAnn Price of Avon as a member of the board, which governs the four Connecticut State University campuses, 12 community colleges and an online college - excluding the University of Connecticut.
The last board chairman, Lewis Robinson, resigned in August, saying it was time for others to lead. His exit followed controversy in the higher education system, including the resignation of Board of Regents President Robert Kennedy last year after he awarded $250,000 in pay raises to employees without the board's knowledge.
Donofrio has been a member of the Board of Regents since its launch in January 2012. He worked at IBM for 41 years and retired in 2008 as executive vice president for innovation and technology.
"Higher education has been and remains a priority for me," Donofrio said in a statement. "It has been a privilege to work with so many talented people in our state's higher education system along with my colleagues on the Board of Regents. I am humbled and honored to now be asked by Governor Malloy to lead our efforts."
Malloy said Donofrio's strong ties to the business community will help the higher education system in its efforts to better connect with the corporate sector and prepare students for the workforce.
Price is a co-founder and managing partner of Fairview Capitol, a West Hartford-based private equity investment firm.
