Adelphi Appoints Four Exceptional Alumni to Board of Trustees

Garden City, NY (07/21/2026) — Adelphi University has announced the appointment of business leaders and alumni Kristopher Amplo '00, LeeAnn Black '83, Bruce A. Jones, BA '82, PhD, and Walter P. Schmidt '84 as the newest members of the University's Board of Trustees. Bringing a wealth of expertise in finance, law, higher education, and corporate strategy, these distinguished leaders return to their alma mater to help guide Adelphi's next chapter of academic excellence and student success.

"Each of these individuals brings with them a wealth of expertise, deep professional accomplishments, a personal connection to our community and a profound commitment to our university's mission," said Adelphi President Michael Balboni. "As we work together to guide Adelphi into its next era of excellence, their diverse insights will be vital to our future growth and success."

Kristopher Amplo '00 is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with a dynamic career spanning construction, real estate and philanthropy. As president and CEO of J.C. Steel Erectors Corp., he leads a commercial steel company of over 300 employees and $100 million in annual sales, delivering landmark projects such as UBS Arena, LaGuardia and JFK Airports, and TSX Broadway. His real estate ventures include multifamily developments, self-storage facilities and vacation rentals across the U.S. He is also deeply committed to charitable work, founding the Amplo Family Foundation and co-founding the DezyStrong Foundation, while serving on the boards of multiple nonprofits. With prior experience as a history teacher and business owner, he holds degrees from SUNY Farmingdale, Adelphi University, and Stony Brook University, and currently contributes his expertise to several industry boards, including the Subcontractors Trade Association and Allied Building Metal Industries.

LeeAnn Black '83 is the chief operating officer of Latham & Watkins, where she oversees the firm's global business operations, financial management and strategic direction. Under her leadership, Latham has expanded significantly while maintaining the culture that defines its success. Black has been instrumental in Latham's rise as a top global law firm, overseeing its international growth and operational evolution. She has championed innovation and the early adoption of technologies to enhance efficiency and client service. A Certified Public Accountant, she began her career as a senior auditor at Arthur Andersen & Co. and now draws on three decades of leadership experience at Latham. She has been recognized as a trailblazer in the legal sector and was named one of the Top 10 Innovative Individuals in North America by The Financial Times in 2017. Black previously served on the Adelphi University President's Advisory Council, chairs the board of trustees of The Chapin School, and devoted 15 years to the board of Pro Bono Net, an organization dedicated to expanding access to justice. She is also co-chair of Adelphi's annual Women's Leadership Conference.

Bruce A. Jones, BA '82, PhD, is a renowned educational leader, scholar and administrator who is currently a Professor of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences at Howard University. He previously served as Howard University's senior vice president for research and was instrumental in securing its historic R1 classification. Over a dynamic career spanning higher education and public education policy, Dr. Jones has held prestigious academic and administrative posts, including vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean of the Graduate School at the University of Houston. He has also held endowed faculty chairs at the University of South Florida and the University of Missouri. A proud alumnus who earned his undergraduate degree from Adelphi, he has a PhD in political science from Columbia University. His research foci include leadership and public policy in higher education and K12 education; the politics of education; the sociopolitical history of education; studies in community development; and institutional assessment and program evaluation in education and the non-profit sector.

Walter P. Schmidt '84 is a co-founder of Rockwood Capital, a prominent private equity real estate investment firm, and has 40 years of experience in real estate investment on behalf of institutional clients. He served as a senior managing partner until 2022 when he became senior partner focusing on strategic client relationships. With the formation of Harrison Street Asset Management in 2025, he continued as senior advisor. He began his career in 1984 with Touche Ross & Co (currently Deloitte). He is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, AFIRE, INREV and served on the President's Advisory Council of Adelphi University. He also serves on advisory boards serving youth development programs in the United States and Central America.

In addition to welcoming new trustees, the board welcomed back Charles J. Fuschillo '83, Dennis J. McDonagh '78 and Michael J. Tiedemann '89 during the past year after they previously stepped away due to other obligations.

Learn more about Adelphi University's Board of Trustees.

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Adelphi University has announced the appointment of business leaders and alumni Kristopher Amplo ’00, LeeAnn Black ’83, Bruce A. Jones, BA ’82, PhD, and Walter P. Schmidt ’84 as the newest members of the University’s Board of Trustees.