The University reported that Justin G. Gmelich has been named as its chairman by the Board of Trustees. Gmelich replaces Joseph V. Topper, Jr., who has served since 2017 as chair of the Board.

University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. has praised alumnus Gmelich for his knowledge around current issues facing higher education institutions nationwide.

“His vast professional experience, coupled with a demonstrated commitment to our mission, will serve him well as he takes on this new leadership role,” Donohue said. “I look forward to working closely with Justin and all of our new officers and board members to build on Villanova’s recent successes and realize our ambitious goals for the future.”

Gmelich graduated from the University’s School of Business in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He earned his Master of Science degree in Accounting and Taxation from the University of Southern California. Gmelich received an MBA in Finance from Columbia University as well. Currently he works at King Street Capital Management as their Partner and Head of Global Markets. The newly elected chair is also a member of King Street’s Investment Committee. Earlier in his career, Gmelich also served as Goldman Sachs’ Global Chief Operating Officer for Fixed Income, Commodities and Currencies. Prior to that position, he worked as Sachs’ Global Head of Credit. While at the firm, Gmelich was a member of a variety of committees including the Management Committee, Firmwide Risk Committee, Securities Division Executive Committee, Securities Division Volcker Committee and the Global Recruiting Council. The alumnus also has experience with Chase and Salomon Brothers, working as an Associate Trader and Vice President.

Gmelich has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2011. During this time, he gained a diverse experience serving as vice chair for the past three years. Additionally, he was the chair of the investment committee for over five years. The alumnus has served on the School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council in past years.

Gmelich has been a dedicated alumnus over the years. In 2019, along with his wife Victoria, Gmelich committed $3 million to the University’s School of Business. The commitment funded the business school’s financial markets lab. The lab provided students the opportunity to research and study topics such as real estate, analytics, management information systems and various fields.

Alongside the announcement of the chair position, the Board of Trustees elected Beth Mazzeo as Vice Chair and Rev. Francis J. Doyle, OSA as Secretary.

Mazzeo graduated from the University’s School of Business in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She now serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of Bloomberg LP. She leads the company’s global support team which reaches across more than 170 offices including service for over 40,000 client firms and nearly 20,000 employees. Mazzeo’s work is centered around the operation of Bloomberg’s global real estate and facilities portfolio, supply chain, security, travel and expense. The elected Vice Chair also carries the responsibility of managing Bloomberg’s technical customer and employee support and infrastructure. Mazzeo worked for Integrated Resources, a financial services firm, earlier in her career.

Prior to her new position as Vice Chair, Mazzeo has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2013 and served as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the business school. The alumnus remains active within the School of Business and often offers advice to students.

“Exciting career opportunities won’t be presented to you every day – so when one is, take advantage and embrace the risk,” Mazzeo said. The Vice Chair’s family also remains tied to the University as all three of her children and husband are alumni.

The newly elected Secretary, Rev. Francis J. Doyle, OSA is also an alumnus of the University. He graduated in 1967 from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with his Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master of Arts degree from Augustinian College. He now is the Prior of Bellesini Friary in Ardmore, Pa. The Augustinian priest has worked in various parishes including in the states of North Carolina and New York, and as well in the nation of South Africa. Doyle has been on the Board of Trustees for the past four years.

The University has also welcomed five new members to the 35-member Board of Trustees. These members include the Rev. Joseph A. Genito, OSA, Pastor of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish; Chris T. Gheysens, President and CEO of Wawa Inc.; Christopher Hyzy, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer for Bank of America Private Bank and Merrill Wealth Management; Erin Scanlon, Senior Audit & Assurance Partner at Deloitte; and, Darla Wolfe, Principal and CEO of Sweat EquitE, LLC. The newly elected individuals began their membership on the board on Jan. 1.