New Leadership Takes the Helm of Board of Trustees

February 6, 2012

The Greenfield Community College Board of Trustees has elected Greenfield realtor Rob Cohn to be the new Chair of the GCC Board and Sunderland attorney Liz Sillin to be the new Vice-Chair of the Board. Cohn will fill the position of outgoing Chair Tim Farrell who served as Chair of the Board since 2009. Commenting on the new Board leadership, GCC President Bob Pura said, “Tim Farrell, Rob Cohn, and Liz Sillin bring unique skills and perspectives to the Greenfield Community College Board of Trustees. It is their understanding and passionate commitment to GCC, our students and this community that unites them.”

Rob Cohn has been a leader in area real estate for 39 years and is owner of Cohn and Company. Cohn served as a member of the GCC Foundation Board starting in 1989 and became President of the GCC Foundation Board in 1993. He currently serves on the Board of the Baystate Health Foundation and Greenfield Savings Bank, is an honorary director of the GCC Foundation, and is a former board member of the United Way of Franklin County and Bement School. Cohn said, “I am thrilled to be the new Chair of the GCC Board of Trustees. GCC has been my favorite community activity since the late 1970s when I served as the first alumni trustee. I am very involved with supporting education in our community, both through the Greenfield Education Foundation which I helped start, and with the College’s Board. I have great respect for Bob Pura and all of the members of the Board of Trustees. They are all highly intelligent, talented people who care deeply about the community, the College, and the students.”

Sillin has been a member of the GCC Board of Trustees since 2009 and served as a member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors from 2000 to 2009, with two years as Vice President and two years as President of the Foundation Board. She lives in Sunderland and is a partner in the Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP law firm in Springfield. Her law practice focuses on estate planning and administration and on regulatory compliance for nonprofit institutions. Sillin said, “I am honored to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board, and am proud to represent GCC. Tim Farrell has been an excellent Board Chair, and I look forward to serving with Rob Cohn and working with Bob Pura. I’m a long-time fan and believer in community colleges in general and in Greenfield Community College in particular. GCC is an important institution in the Pioneer Valley economy, playing a central role as an employer and an institution of higher education that provides many opportunities for area residents. GCC is uniquely sensitive to the pulse of what is going on in the area and what is needed to strengthen the community. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on the GCC Board.”

Commenting on Cohn’s new role as Chair, President Pura said, “Our community has been lifted by the many multigenerational family-run businesses that believe in the importance of giving back to the community. The Cohn Family is a wonderful example and no one individual more so than Rob Cohn. Rob understands our students because he was one. He understands the business of our community because he runs one. He understands the many needs of our community because of his level of civic engagement. There are not many who possess more passion for GCC and our mission or have a better understanding of our impact than Rob Cohn. He has worked on behalf of GCC for many years. We are excited about the future and pleased that he is the new Chair of the GCC Board of Trustees.”

President Pura said, “Liz Sillin is a talented lawyer who, in addition to her intelligence, critical thinking, and innovative problem solving skills, has a heart the size of the Pioneer Valley. Her commitment to the GCC mission is built on the egalitarian values that have guided her life’s decisions. Liz’ leadership on the GCC Foundation Board was the catalyst for significant growth in that organization’s fundraising capacity and in streamlined, more efficient management practices. We are pleased that Liz has accepted this responsibility in service to GCC.”

Reflecting on Tim Farrell’s role on the GCC Board, President Pura said, “Tim has been the Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2009. His experiences growing up in Greenfield alongside his service to the town brought to the Board an understanding of the day-to-day struggles as well as the day-to-day joy of life here in our community. His skills and perspective were sharpened by the challenges of running a small business. Tim has always been straightforward and to the point. His leadership and contributions have added a great deal to our college, not the least of which has been the refurbishment of our new core building. Tim exemplifies the idea of ‘service to community.’”

In conclusion, Pura said, “Lives change for the better every day at GCC, families grow stronger and so, too, our community. Tim, Liz, and Rob have helped to make that happen. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, I extend to each our heartfelt appreciation.”

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