Around The Quads
Two Seasoned Trustees Conclude Service
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t its May meeting, the Board of Trustees recognized two longtime Trustees, Dang T. Phan ’79 and John M. Bussel ’87, as each concluded his service on the board.
Dang, managing partner and president of Monday Capital Partners in New York City, was a Trustee of the school for 12 years, serving as vice chairman of the Finance Committee and as a member of the Investment Committee, the Buildings & Grounds Committee, and the Education Committee. He also chaired a Profile Task Force in 2005 and delivered the Commencement address in 2009. At a celebratory dinner for Dang and John, Trustee Nancy Collins ’91 spoke on Dang’s behalf, praising the impact he has had as a Trustee of the school as well as in his unofficial role as a mentor for Nancy. Reflecting on his Trustee experience, Dang comments, “I am stepping down from the board after
12 years and in the year of our Centennial, during which we celebrate an extraordinary act of generosity by the Founders and its enduring legacy. My family and I were the direct beneficiaries of this act when we stepped ashore on this Island sanctuary as Vietnamese refugees almost 40 years ago. I have learned that the best way to repay a debt of gratitude — to my parents, teachers, and those who came before us — is to pay it forward.” John, principal and regional director at Hewins Financial Advisors in Miami, Florida, served as a Trustee for 13 years. During his tenure, John chaired the Committee on Trustees and the Education Committee and served as a member of the Investment, Finance, and Admission & Financial Aid committees. Trustee Jamie Widdoes ’72 spoke at the dinner on John’s behalf, highlighting John’s many contributions to the board. John remarks, “It has been just
Dang Phan ’79 and John Bussel ’87 outside the Homestead. Photo: Lynn Petrillo ’86
a great privilege for me to serve on this board for the last 13 years. Since I joined in 2001 under Russ Weigel and now conclude under Sheila Culbert, Loomis Chaffee has made remarkable progress in every aspect. It was such a proud pleasure to read all the board reports for my last meeting, from student and faculty life to admissions to college placement to the curriculum, finance, facilities, and advancement
and communications. Our school is on a roll, and it has been a blast to have a front-row seat as a Trustee to observe and oversee it all. I congratulate Sheila for her outstanding leadership over these last six years.” Loomis has been the fortunate beneficiary of Dang’s and John’s combined quarter century of excellent service.
Erik Cliette ’84 Joins Board of Trustees
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ust prior to its May meeting, the Loomis Chaffee Board of Trustees elected Erik A. Cliette ’84 to his first term on the board.
Erik is the director of the Harlem Hospital Injury Prevention Program, an initiative that works to reduce the injury rates of children in Harlem. As an entrepreneur, he is a co-owner of Alpha Brothers, a residential and commercial cleaning business; is the senior partner with Fraternal Golf, a sports design and paraphernalia company; and is chief executive officer of CMG, a small business consulting firm that focuses on strategic direction and communication. Among his multiple volunteer commitments, Erik has served as the former president of the board of the National Jack and Jill of America Founda-
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tion, as a board member for the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Board, and on the board of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. After attending The Allen-Stevenson School in Manhattan, Erik was Erik Cliette ’84. Photo: a three-year student Wayne Dombkowski at Loomis Chaffee. He served as head prefect; was a member of the Student Council; played varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse; was president of the Black Student Union; played violin in the Orchestra; and was a chamber singer. He went on to the
University of Rochester, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and political science and a master’s degree in education. Most recently, he completed a post-master’s certificate program in not-for-profit management at Columbia University’s School of Business. In 2004, because of his many volunteer activities, Erik was awarded Columbia’s Xanthos Prize for outstanding service in the community. For Loomis Chaffee, Erik has served as a reunion volunteer and hosted an alumni reception in Harlem in April to help reconnect the school’s graduates of color. He and his wife, Dawn Hankin, and their daughter, Dylan, reside in New Rochelle, New York.