Allegheny College is proud to announce its five newest Board of Trustees members. The cohort brings a breadth of expertise from both the public and private sectors.
The additions include:
- Donald Bailey ’87
- Carla Basil ’05
- Larry Hailsham ’15
- Jerry Lehocky ’82
- Karen Skarupski ’83
“Our newly elected board members have proven themselves as confident, capable professionals in their respective fields, contributors to their respective communities and volunteers in support of the College over the years,” said Julie Skattum ’85, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Evolution is core to Allegheny College’s ‘Strategic Pathway,’ whether it’s to meet the needs of today’s students, support the work of our faculty, or partner with the Meadville community. Don, Carla, Larry, Jerry, and Karen bring fresh perspectives, great energy and a strong willingness to serve the college in support of our growing momentum. We’re thrilled to invite them back to their Alma Mater as trustees and look forward to serving alongside them.”
Their terms began on July 1, 2026.
Simultaneous to the installation of these five board members, Trustee Eddie Taylor, Jr. ’87 — President and CEO of Taylor Oswald — was elected by the board to Emeritus status after 22 years of service, including terms as Vice Chair and Chair in the late aughts and early 2010s, respectively.
An additional three trustees have completed terms of board service after a combined 40 years dedicated to the preservation and betterment of Allegheny College. That list includes Mary S. Amsdell P’23, Bruce R. Thompson ’86, and Douglas F. Ziegler, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2024.
Amsdell, a Northeast Ohio nonprofit leader, was a founding member of the Parent & Family Council before joining the board and has been a passionate supporter of the student experience. Thompson, Vice Chair of Bank of America, provided sound financial leadership and established the Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics. Ziegler, former Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Investment Officer of Erie Insurance Group, brought incredible insight to the board’s investment committee and strategic oversight of the endowment, which now stands at $288 million.
“The unwavering support provided by Mary, Bruce and Doug during their tenure has been instrumental to Allegheny College’s commitment to prepare students for an ever-changing world,” said President Ron Cole ’87. “Each brought unique insights and have made important contributions to strengthen Allegheny’s future.”
Donald Bailey ’87
Donald Bailey ’87 is a seasoned leader in the financial services industry and the recently-retired Executive Vice President and CEO of American International Group (AIG). He has also coached top sales executives for more than 20 years. The Northwestern Pennsylvania native is one among five other Allegheny alumni in his extended family, including his father, Don Bailey Sr., who graduated in 1957. As a student, Bailey wrote for The Campus newspaper, played intramural sports, and served on the Interfraternity Council as a brother of Delta Tau Delta.
Carla Basil ’05
Carla Basil ’05 is an expert communicator and financier, having previously served as the Associate Director for Credit Risk Analytics and Advisory Services for Moody’s Analytics, as well as an Account Manager for The New York Times. Her rich background in volunteerism for both philanthropic and youth health organizations includes STRIVE International, 100 Women in Hedge Funds and Solving Kids Cancer. Since 2025, Basil has served on The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business and Economic Development’s Board of Visitors.
Larry Hailsham Jr. ’15
Larry Hailsham Jr. ’15 earned an internship at The White House in 2014, and hasn’t stepped away from politics since. He has served as a political coordinator during Bob Casey’s 2018 senatorial run, Pennsylvania Political Director for Joe Biden’s 2020 Presidential Campaign, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Deputy Chief of Staff and, currently, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Hailsham is one of Pennsylvania’s most driven civil servants and one of this year’s Young Alumni Award recipients.
Jerry Lehocky ’82
Jerry Lehocky ’82 has over four decades of litigation experience, specifically relating to workers’ compensation and social security. In 2010, he became a Founding Partner of Pond Lehocky LLP, and has hosted numerous alumni events at his firm and other Philadelphia locales in the years since. Lehocky has also appeared on the prestigious “Super Lawyers” list annually from 2004 through 2026. As a student, he participated in Allegheny Student Government, the football team, and the Intrafraternity Council as a brother of Phi Gamma Delta.
Karen Skarupski ’83
Karen Skarupski ’83 is a longtime leader within Erie Insurance Group, holding senior roles in law, human resources, compliance, and privacy, and currently Senior Vice President of Human Resources. A member of the Erie and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, she left private law practice to join Erie Insurance in 1991. Her extensive list of student interests includes, but is not limited to, sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, College Judicial Board and numerous musical groups. Skarupski is also the parent of 2013 graduate Hannah Phelps Franzese.
