Officers
Chris Dibble
Chair
In Spring 2020, the MxCC Foundation welcomed new board member Chris Dibble of Middletown. Chris successfully co-founded two start-ups and worked in the financial services industry before building a practice as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Madison. He believes that goal-focused planning, straightforward advice, and dedicated personal service helps families and institutions, build and preserve wealth, as well as achieve the confidence to enjoy what’s important in life. Originally from Georgia, Chris attended Xavier High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clark University in Worcester, MA. During college, he played six years of NCAA Division III varsity baseball. He currently serves on the Finance and Investment Committee for the Middlesex Land Trust, volunteers for the Xavier Alumni Association, and is a coach at Team Connecticut Baseball. Chris also enjoys spending time with family, playing guitar, and reading.
Ken Innocenzi
Vice Chair
Ken has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry with broad experience in compliance, operations, retail banking, technology implementation, electronic delivery channels, vendor management, customer service and facilities management. Ken is currently associated with the Northeastern Banking Services Group where he serves as a Managing Director, responsible for various consulting engagements at banks headquartered in New England. The engagements include Core Vendor selection and conversion, Process Improvements, Compliance and Regulatory Matters and Information Technology and Security. Prior to that, Ken was associated with several community banks after a long career at People’s United Bank, Bridgeport, CT. In the community banking arena he was a member of the senior management team at Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company in Hamden, CT where he was a key player in the opening of the bank in 2008 and subsequently was responsible for Operations, Technology, Compliance and Vendor Management.
Ken attended the University of New Haven and is a member of several organizations including the Bank Compliance Association of CT where he served on the Board of Governors for over 7 years. Ken is also a member of the Westbrook Elks, where he volunteers at the annual Beach Jam for Breast Center, a major event where funds are raised for breast cancer patients at Middlesex memorial Hospital and Smilow at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Ken also volunteers at the Guilford Job Network, which provides job search and networking support for those in transition.
Ken lives in Northford with his fiancée Carolyn Sommer and his daughter Holly.
Laura Pieper
Secretary
Laura Pieper, LCSW, began her professional career as a social worker at Middlesex Hospital’s Family Advocacy Program, where she worked on the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team and the Intensive In-Home Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Service (IICAPS) as well as other programs. Later, she worked with the state Department of Children and Families in Middletown as an enhanced care coordinator, helping to place foster children with complicated medical and psychiatric illnesses. In 2006, she established Clinton Counseling as her private practice located in Clinton, Connecticut. She works with children, adolescents, teens, and their families with a specialization in the treatment of developmental trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Laura’s interest in the MxCC Foundation sprang from her work with teens and young adults who too often feel disenfranchised after high school. She believes a strong community college system can offer life-changing opportunities to those for whom a four-year college is beyond reach.
She and her husband Gary live in Wallingford, Connecticut, with two happy pugs. Their three adult sons live in Boston and Arizona.
Rick Morin
Treasurer
Rick Morin is a CPA at Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski, LLC. Morin has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, including over 15 years with the largest regional accounting and business consulting firm in Connecticut. His experience ranges from estate, trust, and succession planning to probate filings and estate settlement services. He has helped to raise awareness of charitable planned giving and legacy planning opportunities in Middlesex County, and has spoken about taxation issues for various professional organizations. Morin received his B.S. Cum Laude from Central Connecticut State University and has been licensed as a CPA since 1988. Currently a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Central Connecticut Business and Estate Planning Council, Morin also serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Morin is a member of the Middlesex County United Way Audit Committee. He is Treasurer for the Connecticut Business Planning Council.
Board Members
Laura Krueger
Past Chair
Laura Krueger, of Meriden, Conn., graduated from MxCC in 1989 with an associate degree in broadcast communications. She was the first woman to receive the Broadcast Communications Award, which recognizes the department’s top student. She also served as a tutor for the broadcast department and the president, station manager, and disc jockey of WMXC, the college’s closed-circuit radio station.
Since then, she was employed as a producer/director at Comcast Cablevision in Middletown, production manager of Dimension Media Services, disc jockey and videographer for Silver City Sound & Video, and floor director for Fox 61 News in Hartford. Laura was also the assistant marketing director of Meriden Square Mall, the director of business development at Community Health Charities, manager of national advertising and media for Cecchetti USA, and 22-year owner and director of Meriden Dance Center.
Laura is currently the director of public relations and marketing for The Salvation Army in Hartford, covering Connecticut and Rhode Island. She promotes publicity and brand awareness, is the media relations liaison for print and broadcast and manages media training for officers and staff. She was deployed as the public information officer for Hurricane Irma in Florida and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Laura is a PRSA Mercury Award winner and member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Lenell Kittlitz
Lenell Kittlitz is currently the Assistant Director of Construction Services for the Capital Region Education Council, CREC, an organization that connects people and resources for a quality education. Previously, she was Director of Facilities and Planning for the Connecticut Community Colleges Board of Trustees from 2000-2012. Lenell was Co-Chair of the Society of College & University Planners (SCUP) North Atlantic Fall 2013 conference LEEDING the Way at Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT and is a US Coast Guard veteran. She serves on the President’s Executive Council for Gateway Community College, has been a Corporator for the Middlesex Community College Foundation, a member of the Connecticut Veterans Engagement Board and the Board of Trustees for the Veterans Administration for the State of Connecticut. Ms. Kittlitz holds a BS in Public Administration from the University of Hartford and an MS in Organization and Management from Central Connecticut State University.
Deanne DeBrady
Deanne DeBrady has worked for over 20 years with children and adolescents, and families in the social service field. Her experience includes foster care, adoptions, young mothers, juvenile offenders, and in-home crisis services, etc.
She earned an Associate Degree from Manchester Community College and also holds a BS in Criminal Justice/Human Services from Springfield College, MA, as well as, a MS in Counseling, with a concentration in Student Development, from Central Connecticut State University.
She was employed for a portion of her professional career in social work field at the Middlesex Hospital Family Advocacy Program where she worked as a Care Coordinator and Child/Adolescent Clinic Liaison for area private schools, and other programs.
In addition, she worked for Value Options in Rocky Hill’s Clinical Department ensuring that children with complex psychiatric needs receive the appropriate level of care, as well as, wrap around services.
Currently Ms. DeBrady works as a Social Worker with the Department of Children and Families in the New Haven region, overseeing the safety of children.
While, completing her Master’s Degree in Higher Education, she worked with students at Manchester Community College and Gateway Community College in efforts to help promote their academic success. She is convinced that the Community College environment offers a wealth of support opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.
Deanne believes that the MxCC Foundation is an opportunity for her to support students in having greater success during their academic journey.
She is the proud mother of two adult sons and has one granddaughter and grandson who also reside in Connecticut.
Steve Krevisky, Faculty Representative
Since 1985, Professor Krevisky has been a full-time mathematics professor at Middlesex Community College. He covers many types of math including linear algebra, differential equations, calculus 1, 2, and 3, pre-calculus, statistics (with projects and computer component), algebra, geometry, and developmental math.
Aarlan Aceto, Faculty Representative
Dr. Aceto is a 1995 graduate of MxCC’s OD&D program, and has worked in the optical profession ever since. He earned a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in Political Science with an International Studies minor from UConn in 2003, and a Doctor of Optometry from the New England College of Optometry (Boston, MA) in 2009.
Dr. Aarlan Aceto has been an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Rotations at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. This institution specializes in medical education, research, and clinical practice. Previously, he had been an Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences School of Optometry in Worcester, and Owner/Optometrist of Dr. Aceto & Associates in Dayville and Taftville, CT. He has experience with accreditation organizations, state and national professional organizations, and in developing externship networks in a healthcare field.
In his application materials, Dr. Aceto wrote, “For the past 20+ years, I’ve dedicated my entire professional life to the field of eyecare. As an alumnus I hope to serve, not only as just a teacher and administrator, but as a mentor to show each student what they can achieve with this program.”
Cindy Rooth, Alumna
An East Hampton resident and 1978 graduate of MxCC, Cindy attended Long Island University and graduated with a degree in Environmental Science, and a concentration in biology. She later earned both her Master’s degree in Business from the Hartford Graduate Institute/ RPI and her Master’s degree in Library Science from SCSU.
After working for the State of CT as a computer programmer at both the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Comptroller’s Office, Cindy decided to use her skills to assist her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Palmer, O.D. in establishing and managing his practices in both Middletown and East Hampton.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Cindy has shared her considerable talents on the East Hampton Economic Development Commission, while assisting in the growth and development of the Girls Scouts of America on the statewide, national and international levels.
Ex-Officio Members
- Stacey Burgess
- Kim Hogan
- Lauren Katusha
- Steve Minkler
- Rob Steinmetz
