Spencer D. Klein, Chair
B.A., Political Science, 1986
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law
Partner—O’Melveny & Myers LLP, New York, NY. Global head of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. Named one of New York's Super Lawyers by Law & Politics and one of the World's Leading M&A Lawyers by International Financial Law Review, Mr. Klein has successfully closed over 100 mergers, tender and exchange offers, stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures and joint ventures in a variety of industries.
Special Professor of Law, Hofstra University School of Law; Member of Penn State's President's Club and Mount Nittany Society; Member of the New York City Regional Selection Panel, White House Fellowship Program.
Together with his wife Andrea, established the William Klein Memorial Trustee Scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts, in memory of his father, a Holocaust survivor.
Phone: 212-326-2015 (w)
Email: sklein@omm.com
William D. DeGrandis
B.A. with highest honors, Political Science, 1977
J.D., UCLA, 1980
Partner – Corporate Department, Paul Hastings in Washington, D.C. Concentrates on energy regulation and transactions. Has represented clients before state and federal regulatory commissions on issues of power supply, transmission, merger, ratemaking, cogeneration, and hydroelectric power, among others.
Member of the District of Columbia and American Bar Associations; author of articles on energy investment opportunities in Mexico after NAFTA; competition for hydroelectric licenses; federal jurisdiction over utility reorganizations, and other topics.
With wife Monica has contributed to Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship and created a program support fund in the Department.
Phone: 202-551-1720 (w)
Email: billdegrandis@paulhastings.com
Donald T. DiFrancesco
J.D., Seton Hall University
Partner—DiFrancesco, Bateman, Coley, Yospin, Kunzman, Davis & Lehrer, Warren, N.J. The firm specializes in representing corporate management in labor and human relations issues as well as general corporate and real estate practices.
Former New Jersey Senate President and former Governor of New Jersey.
Member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
With wife Diane has established the Donald and Diane DiFrancesco Scholarship in Political Science.
Phone: 908-757-7800 (w)
Email: dtd@newjerseylaw.net
A. Martin Erim
J.D., Washington College of Law, American University
Founder and President– First Renaissance Ventures, McLean, VA.
Various investment and business activities in the defense, homeland security, and intelligence sectors.
Chairman of Americans for Strong National Security, a political donor group.
With his wife Muzeyyen, established the Erim Fund for Political Science.
Email: Erim@FRVentures.com
Michael J. Gilotti
B.A., Political Science, 1969
Heads new business development for Gen Re-New England Asset Mgmt. Inc. Formerly was executive Vice President of Marketing for Forethought Financial Services Holdings, Inc., and President and CEO of Advisors’ Financial Solutions, Inc. Earlier work experience includes serving as Executive Vice President for Wholesale Distribution and Marketing—The Phoenix Companies, Inc., Hartford, CT.
Chairman of the National Association for Variable Annuities (NAVA); founding member of the Retirement Management Executive Forum.
Member of Lambda Chi Fraternity.
With his wife Angela, established the Gilotti Family Trustee Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts.
Phone: 860-409-3265(w)
Email: mjg0525@yahoo.com
Jeffrey L. Hyde
B.A. with Distinction, Pre-Law and B.S. with Distinction, Secondary Education, 1977
LLM (Tax), Temple University School of Law, 1984
Senior Tax Counsel–GE Company, Stamford, CT. Leads the State and Local Tax Practice for GE Capital Corporation, which is the financial services segment of GE Company engaged in commercial leasing, consumer financing and equipment management. Responsibilities include tax planning, advocacy and tax policy lobbying.
Member of the Board of Directors of Council on State Tax, non-profit trade association of Fortune 1000 companies. Member of Dickinson School of Law Century Club; member of the Mount Nittany Society.
Endowed the Hyde Trustee Scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts with his wife Sharon and supported the Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship in the Department.
Email: jeffrey.hyde@ge.com
Alan E. Kerry
M.A., Public Administration, 1973
President–Lord Baltimore Properties, Baltimore, Md. Manages the development, marketing and management of various types of commercial real estate, including office, hotel, retail, residential and mixed-use projects.
With wife Teri has endowed a scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts, in memory of his mother and father, and supported the Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship in the Department.
Email: akerry@lordbalt.com
David M. Kleppinger
J.D., Temple University School of Law, 1980
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in public utility and energy law. Member of the American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.
David and his wife Joann have supported the Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship in the Department.
Bruce R. Miller
B.A., Political Science, 1971
Founder and President (Retired) —Employee Benefits Corporation of America, McLean, VA. EBCA markets group insurance plans in the Mid-Atlantic region, including health, life, dental, and disability insurance.
Chair, Liberal Arts Development Council, Penn State Campaign Case Statement Subcommittee, Leadership Gifts Task Force, Development Council Steering Committee and Athletics Campaign Annual Giving Subcommittee; Member, National Council on Penn State Philanthropy, Penn State Campaign Committee, Athletics Campaign Committee, Vice-Chair, Executive Committee of “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students,” Political Science Alumni Board of Visitors, Mount Nittany Society, Laurel Circle, President’s Club, President’s Club Circle of Pride, Nittany Lion Club, and lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association.
Past Chair, Political Science Board of Visitors.
Along with Dean D. LaVigne, endowed the Bruce R. Miller and Dean D. LaVigne Professorship, Bruce R. Miller and Dean D. LaVigne Graduate Fellowship and the Bruce R. Miller and Dean D. LaVigne Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in Political Science, and the Bruce R. Miller and Dean D. LaVigne Endowed Scholarship in Political Science; he also supports the Center for the Performing Arts, the Blue Band, and Penn State Athletics. Bruce and Dean have endowed the middle hitter position on the Women’s Volleyball Team and most recently established the Bruce R. Miller and Dean D. LaVigne Alumni Association endowment for Homecoming Parade Awards.
Phone: 238-206-0868 (cell)
Email: brm11@psu.edu
James D. Newell
JD, Georgetown University Law Center 1987
Shareholder–Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC is one of the 80 largest law firms in the United States, with 550 attorneys and government relations professionals. The firm, which is the largest Pennsylvania law firm ranked by number of attorneys practicing in the state, has offices in California, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Mr. Newell is a shareholder in the firm's financial institutions, bankruptcy and real estate practice group. Co-Chair of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's Recruiting Committee.
With his wife, Deborah, established the Newell Fund to support programs in Political Science and contributed to Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship in the Department.
Phone: 412-392-2027
Email: james.newell@bipc.com
Joseph G. Passaic, Jr.
J.D., Widener University School of Law, 1979
Partner–Patton Boggs LLP, Washington, D.C. Advises on corporate, securities and regulatory and public policy issues in the financial services and banking industry. Also advised multi-national companies on establishing operations in the U.S.
Served on the Editorial Board of the Banking Law Report and co-authored of Banking Law in the U.S. Has taught business and commercial law at Georgetown University. Member of the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and American Bar Association. Member of the Mount Nittany Society.
Together with his wife Meg established the Passaic Family Undergraduate Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts, and the Joseph G. Passaic and Margaret L. E. Passaic Trustee Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts.
Phone: 202-457-6104
Email: jpassaic@pattonboggs.com
J. Scott Hommer
B.A., Political Science, 1983
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1987
Partner – Venable LLP, Tyson’s Corner, VA. Advises on business counseling and litigation, particularly related to technology companies and government contractors.
Has received the "Distinguished Leadership Award" from the National Association for Community Leadership, was named a "Community Champion" by Volunteer Fairfax, and has received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Penn State's College of Liberal Arts and Department of Political Science.
Has supported the Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship in the Department.