Four Elected to Montserrat College of Art Board or Trustees

BEVERLY – Four new trustees have been elected to the board of trustees of Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA. Two of the new trustees, Kenn Turner and Tom Grant, bring a wealth of expertise in diversity and finance to the Board of Trustees. They will both serve three-year terms. The other two will represent the internal Montserrat community. Stacy Thomas-Vickory will serve a one-year appointment representing the faculty and student Richard Diego, a sophomore, will serve a one-year term representing the study body.

President Kurt T. Steinberg, Ed.D. said he is excited to begin working with the newest trustees as the college reopens this fall and begins its second 50 years.

Kenneth “Kenn” Turner of Hyde Park is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion/Compliance for Massachusetts Port Authority. He provides executive leadership and operational management of the Authority’s multiple diversity programs, including business and supplier diversity, workforce diversity, and airport concessions. A retired US Navy Captain, he served 26 years combined active and reserve service. He was the Deputy Secretary – Administration and Finance for the Department of Veteran’s Services. While Deputy Secretary, he provided executive leadership and operational management to five departments: Benefits Administration, Annuity Programs Administration, Business Services, Veteran’s Cemetery Management, and IT Services.

Kenn was the CEO and Founder of Trident Interactive Media where the focus was on formulation of creative brand-building and comprehensive digital strategies in support of clients from early-stage media definition to launch of superior on-line web marketing solutions, among his other previous appointments.

He holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge, LA and also attended two naval schools and the National Defense University.

Of his election to the board, Turner said, “I’m terrifically excited to join the board of such a unique and creative institution like Montserrat. I’m eager to make a material contribution to the success of the organization.”

Thomas “Tom” Grant of Beverly Farms is managing partner of Hale Ventures, LLC, a business advisory company working with early-stage life science and information technology companies in Greater Boston. In this role, he serves as chief financial officer of seqWell, Inc. an early-stage biotech company. He is founder and managing partner of Protos, LLC and previously served as managing director of applied technology, both early-stage venture investment funds. Tom was chairman and CEO of ThingMagic, Inc., an RF-hardware company, from 2000 to 2010 when the company was acquired by Trimble Navigation. He has also held executive roles with Softbridge MicroSystems, a PC software development company, and Data Resources, Inc., a division of McGraw-Hill.

He has served as vice-chair of the Lahey Health System Board of Trustees, chair of the Lahey Health System Finance Committee, and member of the Lahey Health System Executive Committee. He also served on the Northeast Health System Board of Trustees, the former parent company of Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Boston College.

"Montserrat College of Art has unique assets to work with as it enhances and expands its educational offerings,” Grant said. “The school's leadership and faculty are forward looking and willing to think 'outside the box' when addressing near term challenges and long term planning. For the past two years, I have learned a great deal about these challenges and planning as a member of the Finance Committee. Leadership and the Board are committed to their vision; I look forward to working with them as they move it forward."

Stacy Thomas-Vickory of Beverly is a full-time associate professor and coordinator of academic facilities at Montserrat College of Art. She is the co-program coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Arts concentration and the co-program coordinator for the Foundation Department. Stacy is the lead faculty for FX – The Foundation Experience course. She oversees Montserrat’s Safe Studio Practice Program. Stacy is also an alumna of Montserrat College of Art with her BFA in Printmaking. She also earned a Master in Fine Arts degree in printmaking and drawing from Buffalo State University. Stacy was a visiting lecturer at Salem State University from 2003-2007.

She has received awards and had her work appear in group and solo exhibitions around Massachusetts. In 2004, she received the Luz Dorien award for Excellence in Teaching and she was awarded the Van Otterloo Professional Development award in 2010. She has juried the Artrageous Live Auction in 2015 and 2020. She was an Artist in Residence at the Essex Ship Building Museum 2018-19.

“As an alumna and long-time faculty member,” she said, “I know first-hand what an education at Montserrat College of Art offers. I look forward to this opportunity to work with the Trustees to serve the college and help us plan for the future of this great gem.”

Richard Diego of Brockton is a sophomore and the second student trustee elected to serve on the Montserrat College of Art Board. Richard is a graduate of Southeastern Regional Technical High School. He showed leadership qualities as far back as high school and was elected the 2019 Class President during his senior year. Richard has been involved in SkillsUSA competitions placing third for his National T-Shirt Design and first place for his Promotional Bulletin Board. He has not yet declared his area of study at the college.

Diego said, “Different people see the world in different ways. As a result, it is imperative that we as a community have people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. That is why as a student of color from a low-income, single parent family, I am proud to become a Trustee of Montserrat. Not only will I serve to benefit my community and be the bridge between the board and the general student body; but I will also serve to show to students, now and in the future, that no matter how different you may be, and no matter what walk of life you may come from, that this community will serve to have you accounted forand your voice represented.”

Montserrat College of Art is a private, residential college of visual art and design supporting the creative life by educating artists and entrepreneurs for a rapidly changing world. At the intersection of art, design and technology, the college offers three international programs, 12 concentrations and a required internship program.

Montserrat alumni are employed by some of the country's biggest brands including Disney, Puma, Hasbro and more. Students earn the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and develop their skills for success in today's growing creative economy. The college also offers year-round classes for youth, teens and adults through its Continuing Education Division, and has four public galleries offering year-round programs, exhibitions and lectures. www.montserrat.edu

www.montserrat.edu

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