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County Legislature Appoints Two To RCC Board

Members of the Rockland County Legislature’s bipartisan Multi-Services Committee voted unanimously to appoint two new members to the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees. The measure is expected to be adopted by the full board when it next meets on Tuesday, June 18.

County Legislator Dana G. Stilley and Legislative Fiscal Director Moshe Gruber were appointed.

There are 10 seats on the RCC Board, including five appointed by the County Legislature. Of those five, four were filled. Another board member’s term had expired and they are no longer a member following the County Legislature’s decision to bring new members on board.

“We wanted to take action to make sure we’re addressing the concerns that have arisen at the college,” County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood, Jr. said. “Many, if not all legislators, myself included, feel we want to do what we can to assist the college as it works through the crisis it is facing. The new members offer expertise that can benefit RCC as it works to move forward.”

Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein said that Rockland Community College is important in the lives of many.

“Whether someone is starting out on a college or vocational path or looking to make a career change, RCC is a vital resource and it is my hope that will continue,” Legislator Hofstein said. “The college and its board face significant challenges that will require innovative solutions to preserve what we all fondly call the ‘Jewel of Rockland County.’”

Legislator Stilley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia Business School and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.

She has many years of experience in the financial industry, higher education administration and teaching. She is completing her tenure on the South Orangetown Central School District Board of Education, having previously served as the president of the board.

The first African American woman to serve on the County Legislature following her 2023 election, Legislator Stilley previously served as a member of the RCC Executive Cabinet as an Associate Vice President (2014-2016) and as a Vice President (2016-2019).

“RCC is a vibrant and essential higher education institution in our community,” Legislator Stilley said. “I look forward to bringing my wealth of professional experience in higher education and educational training and expertise to assist the Board of Trustees and College navigate through this challenging time.”

State Education Law Section 6306 permits one member of the County Legislature to serve on the RCC Board of Trustees. (https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/education-law/edn-sect-6306/)

Moshe Gruber serves as the County Legislature’s Director of Fiscal Affairs. He is a Certified Public Accountant who lived in Spring Valley for his entire adult life.

After graduating from UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel, Director Gruber earned his Master of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018. In 2019, he passed the uniform CPA examination, his high score earning him the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award. He has worked with a local public accounting firm for both profit and not-for-profit businesses, and with several national firms in NYC where he worked with large real estate investors and private equity funds.

Director Gruber is a strong believer in the value of education, and volunteers with community organizations who serve children and adults undergoing medical treatment.

“I look forward to assisting my colleagues on the RCC board and to working with faculty, students and relevant stakeholders to ensure RCC continues to fulfill its mission of transforming the lives of county residents by offering quality educational programs to help them thrive in today’s rapidly evolving economy,” Director Gruber said.

RCC Board of Trustees

There are 10 members of the Board of Trustees: 5 appointed by the County Legislature; 4 appointed by the governor; and 1 student who is elected by their peers.

At this time, the Board includes 3 legislative appointees, 2 pending legislative appointees; 3 gubernatorial appointees; and 1 student representative for a total of 9 members. County Legislature appointees serve 5-year terms; gubernatorial appointees serve 7-year terms.

Legislative Appointees: Elana L. Yeger, Esq.; Legislative Counsel to the County Legislature; Ileana Eckert; and Grant Valentine.

With the County Legislature’s decision to name two new members, Lynne S. Hilowitz, whose term had expired, will no longer serve on the board.

“I thank Ms. Hilowitz for her service,” Legislature Chairman Hood said. “It is difficult to find volunteers willing to give so much of their time and energy to serving the public.”

Gubernatorial Appointees: Martin Wortendyke, RCC Board Chair; Susan Oelkers-Ramos; and L'Tanya M. Watkins, Esq.

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