Board Members
The WEEF board consists of volunteer community members whose term normally runs three years or longer. WEEF is very fortunate to have a diversified Board that believes in the importance of a strong public education. The current board members are Michael Lynch, Philip Friend, Jeff Liguori, Janell Bruno Hayes, Aaron Morrone, Fran Prescott, Roy Seitsinger, Deb Ventresca, Anne Sculco, Colleen Saila, Jennifer Luther, Timothy Lemoine and Margaret Fusaro. Please read their detailed bios below:
Michael Lynch, President
After obtaining his B.S. in Business Administration from Providence College in 1983, Attorney Lynch continued his education at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane Washington, and then The Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in 1986. Attorney Lynch is licensed to practice in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Michael’s civic dedication is evident. He has been involved as a member of the Board of Governors of Community Health of Westerly Inc., (the parent entity for The Westerly Hospital), has served as president and Board Member of The Rotary Club in Westerly and as an area representative for Rotary International District 7950. He has also served on the Board of Directors for The W.A.R.M. Shelter, Inc., as a Member of the Board of Corporators for the Westerly Public Library, and presently serves on The Board of Directors as the 2nd Vice President for The Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. Michael is also counsel for many non-profit youth and adult organizations.
E-mail: [email protected]
After obtaining his B.S. in Business Administration from Providence College in 1983, Attorney Lynch continued his education at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane Washington, and then The Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in 1986. Attorney Lynch is licensed to practice in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Michael’s civic dedication is evident. He has been involved as a member of the Board of Governors of Community Health of Westerly Inc., (the parent entity for The Westerly Hospital), has served as president and Board Member of The Rotary Club in Westerly and as an area representative for Rotary International District 7950. He has also served on the Board of Directors for The W.A.R.M. Shelter, Inc., as a Member of the Board of Corporators for the Westerly Public Library, and presently serves on The Board of Directors as the 2nd Vice President for The Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. Michael is also counsel for many non-profit youth and adult organizations.
E-mail: [email protected]
Philip Friend, Vice President
Phil has been on the WEEF board since 2005 and President of the Board since 2006. Phil is a Westerly High
School Alumnus. Phil got his Associate B.S. in Business Administration from Mitchell College. He earned American Institute of Banking - ABA - Basic,/Standard/General certificates. He is a graduate of The School of Banking at Williams College, ABA National School of Commercial Lending at Oklahoma University and ABA National School of Real Estate Finance at University of Wisconsin. He also received his B.S. in Business Management from N.E. Institute of Technology. He has four children who also graduated from Westerly. Phil is Sr. V.P. of Retail Lending at The Washington Trust Company (WTC), he oversees Mortgage, Consumer and Small Business Lending and Merchant Services. He has been employed at WTC for over 40 years. Phil has volunteered his time for many organizations: Chariho Rotary Club, Hopkinton Recreation League, Cub Scouts, Junior Achievement, AAU Basketball, Westerly
Hospital, YMCA of Westerly Youth Basketball League and River Bend Cemetary. When asked to explain his reason for joining the WEEF Board, he replied: “Westerly Schools were an important part of getting me started off on the right foot which has enabled me to pursue a Banking career. I am a firm believer in WEEF’s mission and look forward to its continued success. It affords me the opportunity to give back a little something for all that was done for me.”
Email: [email protected]
Jeff Liguori, Treasurer
Jeff joined Washington Trust’s Wealth Management division as vice president & investment officer in 2009. He is responsible for managing client investment portfolios. Jeff has more than 14 years of portfolio management, research and trading experience. He was a portfolio manager & equity analyst for a $1 billion family foundation in La Jolla, CA prior to joining Washington Trust. Previously, He was a senior institutional trader and director of institutional sales & trading for two Boston based investment boutiques. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College and is presently completing his M.B.A. from Babson College, and is a Chartered Market Technician and a member of the Market Technicians Association. Jeff is a member of the board of the Westerly Economic Development Commission, the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA, and is an incorporator of the Westerly Public Library.
Jeff joined Washington Trust’s Wealth Management division as vice president & investment officer in 2009. He is responsible for managing client investment portfolios. Jeff has more than 14 years of portfolio management, research and trading experience. He was a portfolio manager & equity analyst for a $1 billion family foundation in La Jolla, CA prior to joining Washington Trust. Previously, He was a senior institutional trader and director of institutional sales & trading for two Boston based investment boutiques. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College and is presently completing his M.B.A. from Babson College, and is a Chartered Market Technician and a member of the Market Technicians Association. Jeff is a member of the board of the Westerly Economic Development Commission, the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA, and is an incorporator of the Westerly Public Library.
Deb Ventresca, Grant Committee Chair
Deb Ventresca is a Westerly Public School alumnus who also had three daughters that attended Westerly schools. Two were salutatorians of their classes! The other number three. The Westerly school system provided an extraordinary foundation for each to continue at an excellent college and graduate programs, and all three are very successful at their chosen vocations; math teacher, speech pathologist, and financial analyst. Deborah has an Elementary/English Certification and Middle School Endorsement as well as MA in Education URI. Deb retired after 33 years in the Westerly school system and is now the ELA teacher for middle school grades 6-8 at St. Michael School. When asked why she joined the WEEF board, Deb replied: “My family has deep roots in this community. My parents both worked in downtown Westerly for forty years, and were very involved in their church and the community. My dad, Arthur Wills, was a town councilman for many years. Giving back to the local community is my way of continuing to invest in its future; helping to nurture the most valuable resource, the children.”
Deb Ventresca is a Westerly Public School alumnus who also had three daughters that attended Westerly schools. Two were salutatorians of their classes! The other number three. The Westerly school system provided an extraordinary foundation for each to continue at an excellent college and graduate programs, and all three are very successful at their chosen vocations; math teacher, speech pathologist, and financial analyst. Deborah has an Elementary/English Certification and Middle School Endorsement as well as MA in Education URI. Deb retired after 33 years in the Westerly school system and is now the ELA teacher for middle school grades 6-8 at St. Michael School. When asked why she joined the WEEF board, Deb replied: “My family has deep roots in this community. My parents both worked in downtown Westerly for forty years, and were very involved in their church and the community. My dad, Arthur Wills, was a town councilman for many years. Giving back to the local community is my way of continuing to invest in its future; helping to nurture the most valuable resource, the children.”
Stephen J. White
Steve is a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. He has 34 years of experience in the credit union industry spending the last 13 years as President & CEO of the Westerly Community Credit Union. Prior to joining WCCU he was the Chief Operating Officer of The People’s Credit Union in Middletown, RI. Steve served as a member of the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island’s Board of Directors for 12 years and served as its chairman for 2 of the 12 years.
A Graduate of URI he holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Steve is a graduate of CUNA Management School conducted by the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Business and the Credit Union Executives Society’s (CUES) Executive Operations Institute sponsored by the University of Missouri. In 2012 Steve completed the CUES’ CEO Institute, a three year professional development program sponsored jointly by the Wharton, Johnson and Darden Schools of Business and obtained the designation of Certified Chief Executive Officer.
Steve is a member of the Ocean Community YMCA Finance Committee, Treasurer of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and the former Moderator of the Dunn’s Corners Fire District where he is currently District Clerk. He also has been a volunteer in the Westerly School Department’s Mentor program, has coached in both the Westerly National Little League, and Westerly Youth Basketball League. He is a former past president of the Portsmouth Rotary Club as well as a Paul Harris fellow. Steve his wife Grace and their son Carter currently reside in Westerly Rhode Island.
Steve is a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. He has 34 years of experience in the credit union industry spending the last 13 years as President & CEO of the Westerly Community Credit Union. Prior to joining WCCU he was the Chief Operating Officer of The People’s Credit Union in Middletown, RI. Steve served as a member of the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island’s Board of Directors for 12 years and served as its chairman for 2 of the 12 years.
A Graduate of URI he holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Steve is a graduate of CUNA Management School conducted by the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Business and the Credit Union Executives Society’s (CUES) Executive Operations Institute sponsored by the University of Missouri. In 2012 Steve completed the CUES’ CEO Institute, a three year professional development program sponsored jointly by the Wharton, Johnson and Darden Schools of Business and obtained the designation of Certified Chief Executive Officer.
Steve is a member of the Ocean Community YMCA Finance Committee, Treasurer of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and the former Moderator of the Dunn’s Corners Fire District where he is currently District Clerk. He also has been a volunteer in the Westerly School Department’s Mentor program, has coached in both the Westerly National Little League, and Westerly Youth Basketball League. He is a former past president of the Portsmouth Rotary Club as well as a Paul Harris fellow. Steve his wife Grace and their son Carter currently reside in Westerly Rhode Island.
Ernest Muccio
Ernie has been a WEEF board member since 2015. He is employed at Jewett City Savings Bank in Griswold, Ct and serves as the bank’s Chief Credit Officer. Prior to joining Jewett City Savings Bank he was with Westerly Savings Bank, which merged with NewportFed, for 17 years. He is currently a volunteer firefighter at the Westerly Fire Department. He was a board member of the Westerly High School’s Finance Academy as well as a past board member of Westerly Recreation Board. He currently serves as a Board member of South Eastern Connecticut Economic Region and is the Chairman of the organization’s Loan Administration Board. Ernie and his wife Jeri, a Westerly High School teacher, reside in Westerly with their three daughter all currently in the Westerly School system.
Ernie has been a WEEF board member since 2015. He is employed at Jewett City Savings Bank in Griswold, Ct and serves as the bank’s Chief Credit Officer. Prior to joining Jewett City Savings Bank he was with Westerly Savings Bank, which merged with NewportFed, for 17 years. He is currently a volunteer firefighter at the Westerly Fire Department. He was a board member of the Westerly High School’s Finance Academy as well as a past board member of Westerly Recreation Board. He currently serves as a Board member of South Eastern Connecticut Economic Region and is the Chairman of the organization’s Loan Administration Board. Ernie and his wife Jeri, a Westerly High School teacher, reside in Westerly with their three daughter all currently in the Westerly School system.
Aaron Morrone
Aaron Morrone graduated from Westerly Public Schools in1985. He has his BS from Northeastern University, a MS from Temple University and his MBA from University of New Haven. Aaron and his wife Nancy have three children in the Westerly Public School system.
He currently works at Pfizer, Inc. in Quality Assurance – Supply Chain. Aaron also donates his time to the FOPA Lodge 10 and the American Society of Quality. When asked why he decided to join the WEEF board, Aaron replied: “it affords a chance to provide opportunities to our children to pursue their dreams through educational avenues that are an enhancement to their current
education”
Aaron Morrone graduated from Westerly Public Schools in1985. He has his BS from Northeastern University, a MS from Temple University and his MBA from University of New Haven. Aaron and his wife Nancy have three children in the Westerly Public School system.
He currently works at Pfizer, Inc. in Quality Assurance – Supply Chain. Aaron also donates his time to the FOPA Lodge 10 and the American Society of Quality. When asked why he decided to join the WEEF board, Aaron replied: “it affords a chance to provide opportunities to our children to pursue their dreams through educational avenues that are an enhancement to their current
education”
Colleen Saila
Colleen Gencarella Saila joined the WEEF Board in 2011. Colleen has a BS in education from St. Bonaventure University, 1992, MS from SUNY Albany, 1993. She Achieved National Board Teacher Certification (NBCT) in 2002. Colleen is married to Karl Saila, they have two children who attend Westerly Public Schools. Colleen worked 18 years as a Teacher/Special Education Teacher in Norwich, CT and Westerly. Currently she is a Special Education Teacher at Dunn's Corners School. Colleen also volunteers her time on the School Reform Initiative. When asked why she chose to join WEEF she replied: “I believe the WEEF board does wonderful things for education. I want to be part of the organization not only as a representative of the community, but as a teacher in the Westerly Public Schools.”
Colleen Gencarella Saila joined the WEEF Board in 2011. Colleen has a BS in education from St. Bonaventure University, 1992, MS from SUNY Albany, 1993. She Achieved National Board Teacher Certification (NBCT) in 2002. Colleen is married to Karl Saila, they have two children who attend Westerly Public Schools. Colleen worked 18 years as a Teacher/Special Education Teacher in Norwich, CT and Westerly. Currently she is a Special Education Teacher at Dunn's Corners School. Colleen also volunteers her time on the School Reform Initiative. When asked why she chose to join WEEF she replied: “I believe the WEEF board does wonderful things for education. I want to be part of the organization not only as a representative of the community, but as a teacher in the Westerly Public Schools.”
Margaret Fusaro
Margaret joined the WEEF board in 2013. She has an extensive background in internet marketing and over 25 years experience in advertising, public relations, and marketing for businesses and civic organizations. Margaret resides in Westerly with her husband Ron and three kids - Katie, Kevin and Erin. She has served the Westerly community in a variety of capacities throughout her career. From revitalizing downtown and sponsoring community events to volunteer commitments and producing local news. When asked why she decided to join the WEEF board, Margaret replied, "Joining WEEF was easy for me. My father was the principal of Westerly High School. My mother was an aide at Dunn's Corners School. My sister, brother and I are all products of the Westerly Public Schools - and proud of it. Education has always been important to my family. When I was offered the opportunity to use my skills to promote and provide educational opportunities for local students, I jumped at the chance. I'm a big supporter of Westerly Public Schools and
thrilled to be working with the talented people affiliated with WEEF."
Margaret joined the WEEF board in 2013. She has an extensive background in internet marketing and over 25 years experience in advertising, public relations, and marketing for businesses and civic organizations. Margaret resides in Westerly with her husband Ron and three kids - Katie, Kevin and Erin. She has served the Westerly community in a variety of capacities throughout her career. From revitalizing downtown and sponsoring community events to volunteer commitments and producing local news. When asked why she decided to join the WEEF board, Margaret replied, "Joining WEEF was easy for me. My father was the principal of Westerly High School. My mother was an aide at Dunn's Corners School. My sister, brother and I are all products of the Westerly Public Schools - and proud of it. Education has always been important to my family. When I was offered the opportunity to use my skills to promote and provide educational opportunities for local students, I jumped at the chance. I'm a big supporter of Westerly Public Schools and
thrilled to be working with the talented people affiliated with WEEF."
