Peter Meyer will be accepting the Corporate Leadership Award. As President of TD Bank's New York City market, Mr. Meyer is responsible for Commercial and Small Business Lending. Peter joined the bank in 2002 to execute its aggressive expansion into the Brooklyn/Queens market. Since then, TD has become lender to over 90 retail stores, as well as many small and middle market companies, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare institutions. Mr. Meyer began his banking career as a teller while attending college, working his way to branch manager, and then commercial lender. He has held senior positions with various banks in New York City and has been instrumental in shaping loan programs and products for healthcare and nonprofit organizations, providing greater access to capital for organizations delivering essential services to New Yorkers in need. Active in the community, Mr. Meyer serves on the boards of numerous nonprofit, cultural, and civic organizations in New York City, and is currently Chairman of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Peter Meyer is a graduate of St. Joseph's College and earned an MBA from Long Island University. He grew up in Woodhaven, Queens and now resides in Brooklyn Heights.
Anil Nayyar, recipient of a Community Leadership Award, was born in New Delhi, India, and immigrated to the United States in 1974. An entrepreneur from early on, he was co-managing his father's clothing business at 17. After his father passed away, he sold the business and by the age of 19 had acquired a small deli. Mr. Nayyar and his family worked hard to manage and grow the deli for a decade; upon selling this business, he took a position with Marriott as Food and Beverage manager. In 1991, he founded Nayyarsons, a deli and catering company, and in 2001 the company was awarded its first institutional contract: managing a dining facility in Virginia. Since then the business has expanded to 26 states and employs over 600 associates. As President of Nayyarsons, Mr. Nayyar has made philanthropy a priority—in particular, community outreach and education. The Nayyarsons Corporation has collaborated for several years with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind; the Nayyarsons Foundation supports Arya Samaj, an organization based in India that promotes community development, social justice, and academic achievement for underprivileged young men and women. Nayyarsons also supports higher education in New York City through its foundation's scholarship program at Lehman College.
John Ulrich, who will be receiving a Community Leadership Award, is Recording Secretary and Director of Organizing and Education for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 812. He grew up in Queens and Orange County, NY, graduating from high school with honors. An avid and talented baseball player since childhood, he pursued an athletic career after high school, trying out for the major leagues. During this period he became a union carpenter in New York City with Carpenters Local 608, and later worked for Coca-Cola Refreshments, where he joined Teamsters Union Local 812. At 26, Mr. Ulrich was elected Shop Steward, and served in this capacity for seven years, until he was appointed Business Agent and Director of Organizing and Education. He has successfully negotiated over 20 contracts and organized five new companies while serving 3,000 members of Teamsters Local 812. As lead negotiator, he brokered a $600 million labor contract with Coca-Cola Refreshments—the largest contract in the company's history. John Ulrich attended the George Meaney School for Labor Studies and Harvard University's Successful Negotiations program. He has three sons and lives in New Windsor, NY.
Michael Fassler ('74), President and CEO of CenterLight Health System, will receive the Lehman College Foundation's Alumni Achievement Award. While in high school he volunteered at Beth Abraham Health Services; upon completing graduate school, Mr. Fassler returned to Beth Abraham as a health care executive. In 1986 he was named Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of CNR Health Care Network. Subsequently, Mr. Fassler was promoted to Executive Vice President and then Chief Executive Officer. In 2002, Mr. Fassler led the merger of Beth Abraham Health Services and CNR, becoming President and CEO of the new organization, which changed its name to CenterLight Health Care System in early 2012. Under his leadership, CenterLight has grown to serve the health care needs of more than 10,000 people daily throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Mr. Fassler currently serves on the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council, and on the boards of Hostos Community College Foundation, Health Care Association of New York State (HANYS), and Continuing Care Leadership Coalition. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Michael Fassler earned his Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Business Administration degrees from Columbia University.
Phyllis Fassler graduated from Lehman in 1976 with a degree in psychology, and earned a Masters of Library Science from Queens College in 2005. As a librarian, she has worked throughout Queens, promoting literacy and developing educational and cultural programs for children and young adults.
Dr. George B. Jacobs is an internationally known spine surgeon, researcher, and teacher. After a long and rewarding career he retired as Professor and Chairman Emeritus from the Department of Neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He has been Professor and Director of Spine Services at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently serving as the Senior Consultant in Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery for the Veterans Administration.
Dr. Rosanne Wille served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, as well as the Dean of Nursing, at Lehman College, and currently works as a Higher Education consultant. She is a member of the Bishops' Council of the Diocese of Venice, Florida and is the proud handler and trainer of Thor II, a young German Shepherd on his way to becoming an extraordinary therapy and service dog.
