DSU Board of Trustees Swears in New Member

The DSU Board of Trustees welcomed a new member to its august body and bid adieu to three outgoing members during its June 16 public meeting.

Board of Trustees Chairman David G. Turner formally swore in John Ridgeway, a Toyota corporate manager and DSU alumnus, as its newest member.

During the same meeting, Mr. Turner announced the departure of two members – Wesley E. Perkins and Jim W. Stewart III, whose terms will expire on Sept. 1 and Aug. 31, respectively. Mr. Turner also announced the April resignation of board member Robert E. Buccini.

(l-r) Jim W. Stewart III, David G. Turner, Wesley E. Perkins

Because Mr. Buccini’s term was due to expire on Aug. 31, the board voted for Mr. Ridgeway to both complete Mr. Buccini’s term as well as serve a subsequent six-year term (which will end on Aug. 31, 2022).

Mr. Ridgeway is currently the corporate manager of Toyota’s Eastern Territory Service Center, which is based in Owings Mills, Md. Prior to arriving at Toyota in 2006, Mr. Ridgeway spent two years as a senior vice president of Customer Service and Support for Bank of America. He also previously held director posts for Sears, Roebuck and Co. All told, the DSU alumnus brings 24 years of corporate experience to the DSU board.

During his undergraduate years at then-Delaware State College, Mr. Ridgeway earned a B.A. in Business Administration.

Mr. Perkins and Mr. Stewart attended their last scheduled public DSU board meeting on June 16.

Mr. Perkins was first appointed to the board by then-Gov. Ruth Ann Minner in 2005, and has served on a number of committees – most notably as the chair of the Presidential Search Committee in 2008-2009, which resulted in the selection of DSU’s current president, Dr. Harry L. Williams.

Mr. Stewart was appointed as a member by the board in 2007. He has served as chair of the board’s Executive Committee and its Development and Investment Committee.

Mr. Buccini was appointed to the board in 2011 and served as a member until April of this year.

Mr. Turner commended all three for their work on the board and thanked them for their DSU service.