Board member
J. Bonnie Newman is the former Interim President of the University of New Hampshire and Executive Dean at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, J. Bonnie Newman’s career spans the public, private, nonprofit and academic sectors.
Ms. Newman is a Director of the Lumina Foundation, FairPoint Communications, Gilbane Building Company and Exeter Trust Company. She is the former Chairman of the United States Naval Academy Board of Visitors and former Vice-Chair of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Other past appointments include service on the President’s Export Council, an advisory board on US trade policy, and the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. She is a former Director of Markem Corporation, NYNEX Telecommunications, New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, Perini Corporation, Consumers Water Company, Citizens Advisors, Sallie Mae Corporation, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Strawbery Banke Museum, New Hampshire Public Television, the New Hampshire Industrial Development Authority, Indian Head Banks, Fleet Bank of New Hampshire, Public Service Company of New Hampshire and member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner’s Advisory Council.
In the public sector Ms. Newman served on Capitol Hill and in the Reagan and Bush administrations. From 1989 until 1991 she served as Assistant to the President for Management and Administration, where she oversaw all administrative operations for the White House and Executive Office of the President during the transition and administration of President George H.W. Bush. President Ronald Reagan nominated Ms. Newman to the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and the United States Senate confirmed her appointment in February 1984. Earlier, she served as Associate Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel at the White House and as Chief of Staff for New Hampshire Congressman Judd Gregg.
In addition to serving from 2006-2007 as Interim President at the University of New Hampshire and from 2000-2005 as Executive Dean at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Ms. Newman’s academic positions include engagements at the University of New Hampshire as Interim Dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics from 1998-1999, Dean of Students from 1972-1978 and Assistant Dean of Students from 1969-1972.
In the private sector, Ms. Newman has been active as a private investor in the financing and development of early stage entrepreneurial opportunities. Ms. Newman was the founder and owner of Coastal Broadcasting Corporation, licensee of WZEA-FM radio. She also held the position of Executive Vice President with Exeter Trust Company. From 1985 through 1988 Ms. Newman served as President of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire and in 1988 was named President of the New England Council Inc. She served as Executive Director of the Forum on New Hampshire’s Future from 1978 through 1980.
Ms. Newman is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College of Maine and The Pennsylvania State University. She has honorary degrees from the University of New Hampshire, Rivier College, Notre Dame College, Keene State College, St. Joseph’s College, and New Hampshire College. Awards include the University of New Hampshire’s Granite State Award for distinguished public service, the New Hampshire Public Relations Society’s Yankee Award, the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the New England Council’s Leadership Award to Women in Business and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus’ Abigail Adams Award for commitment to the political, economic and social advancement of women. In 2005 she was named an Alumni Fellow by The Pennsylvania State University, and in 2007 she was presented the Lifetime of Service Award by City Year.
Related news:
J. Bonnie Newman to receive UNH’s prestigious Pettee Medal | Foster’s Daily Democrat | Nov. 15, 2010
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