Members

The college is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, which is appointed by the Governor (4), the Rensselaer County Legislature (5), and elected from among the student body (1).

Neil J. Kelleher Neil J. Kelleher '91, Chairman
Term Expires: 2031
Appointed by: Rensselaer County Legislature

Neil J. Kelleher retired from Hudson Valley Community College in 2010 after 23 years of dedicated service as Physical Plant Supervisor and Special Assistant to the President for Capital Projects. During his tenure, he played a key role in managing the college’s facilities and overseeing major capital initiatives.

From 1990 to 2010, Mr. Kelleher also served on the Rensselaer County Legislature, including 14 years as its Chair. In that capacity, he collaborated closely with Hudson Valley Community College on budgets, master plans, and capital improvements, helping to advance the institution’s long-term growth and stability.

Appointed to the college’s Board of Trustees in 2011, Mr. Kelleher has served as Board Chair since 2015, continuing his long-standing commitment to the college and the community it serves.

A lifelong resident of Lansingburgh, Mr. Kelleher was born and raised there and continues to reside in his hometown with his wife, Lisa.

Judith H. Breselor Judith H. Breselor '90, Trustee
 Term Expires: 2028
Appointed by: Rensselaer County Legislature

Judith Breselor was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2016 by the Rensselaer County Legislature.

Before her appointment, Ms. Breselor served as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature, representing the towns of Sand Lake, Schodack, and Nassau. During her tenure, she chaired the Legislature’s Education Committee and served on the Planning and Tourism, Environment, Contracts, and Health Committees.

Now retired, Ms. Breselor previously served as Executive Director of the New York Planning Federation, a statewide organization dedicated to promoting sound planning, land use, and zoning practices throughout New York State. Her career also included leadership roles as Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Troy, Senior Planner for the Hudson River Greenway, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Rensselaer, and Chairperson of the Town of Sand Lake Zoning Board of Appeals.

Currently, Ms. Breselor represents Rensselaer County on the Capital District Regional Planning Commission and serves on the New York Planning Federation Board of Directors.

An alumna of Hudson Valley Community College, Ms. Breselor earned her associate degree in Civil and Public Service in 1990. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from the Rockefeller School of Public Policy and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University at Albany. She is a Certified Professional Planner by the American Planning Association.

Philip J. Danaher Philip J. Danaher, Trustee
Term Expires: 2029
Appointed by: Rensselaer County Legislature

Philip J. Danaher of East Greenbush was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2021 by the Rensselaer County Legislature.

An attorney and lifelong Rensselaer County resident, Mr. Danaher currently serves as counsel to the Rensselaer County Legislature, Corporation Counsel for the City of Rensselaer, and town attorney for the towns of Sand Lake and Grafton. From 2010 to 2018, he represented East Greenbush, North Greenbush and Poestenkill as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

Admitted to the New York State Bar in 1986, Mr. Danaher has maintained a private law practice since 1991, focusing on family, bankruptcy, and municipal law.

Deeply engaged in his community, Mr. Danaher is an active member of the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, where he has also served on the board of the Holy Spirit School. He has been involved in coaching both youth and adult sports teams throughout the area.

Mr. Danaher earned his Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School in 1985 and his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Siena College in 1982.

William F. Fagan William F. Fagan '73, Trustee
Term Expires: 2023
Appointed by: Governor

William F. Fagan was first appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2009 by former Governor David Paterson. He previously served on the college’s Foundation Board of Directors from 1994 to 2015, including ten years as vice president and president, from 1997 to 2007. In recognition of his longstanding commitment and leadership, he was named Foundation Board Director Emeritus in January 2018.

In addition to his role on the Board of Trustees, Mr. Fagan has been a member of the Faculty Student Association Board of Directors since 2010. A proud graduate of Hudson Valley Community College’s Class of 1973, he continued his education at St. Bonaventure University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

Mr. Fagan is the president of Wm. J. Fagan and Sons, Inc., a family business founded by his grandfather more than a century ago in Troy, New York. His enduring connection to the college and the local community reflects his deep commitment to education, leadership and civic service.

Flora Fasoldt Flora Fasoldt, Trustee
Term Expires: 2025
Appointed by: Governor

Flora Fasoldt was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2021 by New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Ms. Fasoldt retired in 2018 following a 35-year career as a speech and language therapist with Capital Region BOCES. She continued serving the organization as a special education intake team coordinator until 2019 and has worked since then as a consultant with Levay Educational Consultants in Slingerlands.

In addition to her professional career in education, Ms. Fasoldt has an extensive record of public service. She previously served as Town Supervisor and Town Councilwoman for the Town of Sand Lake and as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature. Her community involvement also includes service on the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Board of Directors, as Vice President of the Faculty Association Teachers Unit for the New York State United Teachers, as Second Vice Chair of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee, and the Sand Lake Ambulance Board of Directors.

Ms. Fasoldt earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and a Master of Science in Education from The College of Saint Rose.

Thomas P. Grant Thomas P. Grant, Trustee
Term Expires: 2032
Appointed by: Rensselaer County Legislature

Thomas P. Grant was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2018 and serves on several key committees, including Buildings and Grounds; College Foundation and Auxiliary Enterprises; Executive; Honors and Awards; and Personnel, among others. In addition to his committee work, Mr. Grant has contributed to major institutional initiatives, including the Presidential Search Committee and the Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

Mr. Grant has held a number of senior positions within the New York State Senate, including Director of the Senate Codes and Judiciary Committees, Legislative Director and Nominations Secretary to the Senate Finance Committee, and Executive Assistant to the Chair of the former Division of Parole. Tom is also a retired New York State Parole Board Commissioner.

At the local level, Mr. Grant has been actively involved in public service. He was elected to the Rensselaer County Legislature in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, representing District Two, which includes East Greenbush, North Greenbush, and Poestenkill. As a county Legislator, Tom is Chairman of Judiciary & Public Safety and Social Services Committees, and a member of the Contracts and Agreements Committee. He is also a legislative representative to the following boards: Rensselaer County Emergency Communications, Rensselaer County Fire Advisory and the Rensselaer County Heroin Coalition. From 2016 to 2018, he served on the East Greenbush Town Board.

Tom is a certified mediator with Mediation Matters, where he previously served on the Board of Directors. He is a member of the Family and Friends of Homicide Victims, the New York State Dispute Resolution Association, The Rensselaer Elks, the East Greenbush Kiwanis, the Friends of East Greenbush Library, and the Rensselaer County Re-Entry Task Force.

Mr. Grant earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and his master’s degree from the University at Albany.

Patrick Madden Patrick Madden, Trustee
Term Expires: 2027
Appointed by: Governor

Patrick Madden was appointed to Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2025 by Governor Kathy Hochul.

Madden served as the mayor of the City of Troy from 2016 to 2024. Prior to becoming mayor, he worked for Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, Inc. (TRIP) as director of real estate development from 1985 to 1987 and as executive director from 1987 to 2015, and as executive director for Rensselaer County Housing Resources, Inc. from 1999 to 2015. He earned a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School of Union University, as well as two bachelor’s degrees from the University at Albany and an associate degree from Farmingdale State College. 

Madden has also served in a leadership role in many community organizations throughout his career. He served as a board member for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, RPI Institute Review Board, The ARC of Rensselaer County, Northeast Health Foundation, and Eddy Property Management Services; as board member and treasurer of Joseph’s House and Shelter, Inc.; as board member and board chair for the Town of Berlin Board of Assessment Review; as board member and board president for the Neighborhood Risk Management Corporation; as an executive committee member for the Rensselaer County 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness; as a finance committee member for the Arts Center of the Capital Region; as a community rater for the Rensselaer County Continuum of Care Review Committee; as a trustee for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and as a team manager for Brunswick Youth Soccer. He is currently an active trustee for The Howard and Bush Foundation.

Jacqueline McDonough Jacqueline McDonough '87, Trustee
Term Expires: 2030
Appointed by: Governor

Jacqueline McDonough was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2024 by Governor Kathy Hochul.

Ms. McDonough currently serves as Chief of Staff to Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly. Her professional background includes extensive experience in leadership, operations, and community engagement. Prior to her current role, she worked as National Field Operations Manager for the Chicago-based data analytics and market research firm Information Resources, Inc. (IRI). She also held senior leadership roles with the Capital District YMCA in Albany, serving as Executive Director and Vice President of Financial Development. Earlier in her career, she worked in Admissions and Alumni Relations at Hudson Valley Community College and in the Radio/TV Department of the New York State Assembly.

An alumna of Hudson Valley Community College and The College of Saint Rose, Ms. McDonough is also a graduate of the National Leadership Institute for Leadership Development. Her professional achievements have been recognized through numerous awards, including the IRI-ISG PACT Award, Capital District YMCA Employee of the Year, Capital District YMCA Reach Out for Youth Award, and the Hudson Valley Community College Disabled Student Services Award.

Ms. McDonough is an active community volunteer and has served on several boards, including the Lansingburgh Central School Board, Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension, YWCA, and the Troy Rotary, where she also served as president. Jackie currently serves as a member of the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Board of Directors.

Wayne L. Pratt Wayne L. Pratt
Term Expires: 2019
Appointed by: Rensselaer County Legislature

Wayne Pratt was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2016 by the Rensselaer County Legislature.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Pratt has held leadership roles in a variety of educational and civic organizations. He served for decades on the Board of Directors of the Southern Rensselaer County Boys and Girls Club, chaired the Budget Advisory Committee for the East Greenbush Central School District for more than thirty years, and was a longtime member of the Capital District Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

Mr. Pratt and his family own and operate Walter S. Pratt & Sons, Inc., a Rensselaer-based heavy equipment rental company serving customers across the Northeast.

A native of Rensselaer, Mr. Pratt is a graduate of the former St. John’s Academy and a veteran of the New York State National Guard.

George J. Raneri George J. Raneri
Secretary to the Board

George J. Raneri has served as Secretary to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees for the past 25 years and previously served as a Trustee from 1981 to 1998. He is also an Emeritus Trustee of the Board.

For more than 37 years, Mr. Raneri has represented Hudson Valley Community College as its appointed delegate to the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT), where he was named Secretary in 2017 and serves on the organization’s Executive Committee. In addition, he is a lifetime member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a nonprofit educational organization representing more than 6,500 trustees governing over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges across the United States and abroad.

Mr. Raneri’s career in education spans more than four decades. Following his college graduation, he served as Principal of the Ephratah Common School District for six years before becoming Principal of Miller Hill–Sand Lake Elementary Schools, a position he held for 34 years.

Throughout his career, Mr. Raneri has held numerous membership and leadership roles with educational, civic, and community organizations. His lifelong dedication to advancing educational opportunity has earned him more than a dozen honors and awards from various institutions and professional groups.

Kercel Montes Kercel Montes
Student Trustee, 2025-26

Kercel Montes was appointed to the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 2025 by the student body.

He currently serves as Vice President of the Student Senate and Vice President of the Black and Latino Student Union. Kercel is pursuing a degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Social Work after graduating from Hudson Valley.

Born and raised in Albany, Kercel has long been an advocate for positive change. He has served as a guest speaker on multiple panels addressing topics such as school safety and gun violence in his community, and he hopes to continue his public advocacy in the future.

In addition to his leadership and service, Kercel is also a filmmaker who has collaborated with the nonprofit YouthFX in Albany on several community-focused projects. Described as a “sponge for knowledge,” he approaches every opportunity with a commitment to learning and personal growth.

Get in Touch

Erin Grace Dwyer
Assistant Secretary to the Board
(518) 629-7982