International Board of Directors

The Alumni Association is governed by an International Board of Directors consisting of 12 directors, plus the President of the Alumni Association who serves as chair of the board. Members of the International Board of Directors are recommended by the Nominating Committee, and are intended to represent the global and other demographic characteristics of the alumni.

The Polytechnic Institute Alumni Association (PIAA) is currently seeking the nomination of qualified alumni to be considered for leadership positions on it's International Board of Directors.  For more information, click here. 

Executive Board Members (Officers)

Effective through June 30, 2013

Josiane Arbouet, President

Founder, Heron Ventures, Inc
Class of ’96 Journalism and Technical Writing;
’99 Information Systems Engineering

Josiane Arbouet, B.Sc., M.Sc. is a Planning & Development professional with a passion for innovation in real time and fast changing environments.  Josiane’s multi-disciplinary background in: trend spotting; strategic planning; due diligence; project financing; new product development; and strategic marketing enables her to manage innovation across industries including capital markets, cleantech, green technologies and digital media.

Prior to founding Heron Ventures Inc., a New York based Planning & Development firm, Josiane was an Executive Management Trainee at Brooklyn Union Gas (now National Grid),  a Senior Engineer and then Director of New Product Development at a subsidiary of the New York Stock Exchange & Depository Trust Corporation where her expertise in information systems engineering and commitment to high-performance team building enabled her to excel  in a complex capital markets environment that required nothing short of 99.999% systems reliability at all times.

Today, Josiane applies her innovation management experience to enable private companies, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations navigate the shifting landscape of the new economy while developing local markets for sustainable growth.  Among her volunteering commitments, Josiane is an interim board member of SAïRA-International (a not-for-profit committed to education in developing countries) and a founding member of GRAHN-USA (a think-tank and action group for a new Haiti).

Christine Ianuzzi, Immediate Past President

Vice President, Studio Operations, Home Box Office (HBO)
Class of ’87 Electrical Engineering; ’94 Information Systems

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Christine Ianuzzi is currently Vice President, Studio and Broadcast Operations at Home Box Office (HBO).  Having started her career in the ABC Television Engineering department in 1987, she was rapidly promoted through the ranks in broadcast operations and engineering, and eventually joined ABC Radio Networks.  In her most recent role as Senior Vice President of Engineering & Broadcasting Technology for Citadel Broadcasting, she was responsible for leading and directing the technical goals for the Network.  Ms. Ianuzzi received her BS in Electrical Engineering in 1987 and her MS in Information Systems Engineering in 1994, both from Polytechnic.  She earned an MBA from Baruch College in 1996 and completed the ABC Company-sponsored Management Development Program at Simmons College in 1997.

Michael Urmeneta, Executive Vice President

Director of Information Systems, New York Institute of Technology
Class of '92 Mechanical Engineering; '00 Management

Michael A. Urmeneta graduated from Polytechnic in 1992 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in 2000 in Management. While working towards his master's degree, he served on staff at Poly where he worked in both the admissions and alumni offices, providing him with a unique cradle-to-grave perspective on the Poly experience.

As a student, Michael was a Promise Fund scholar and was active in ASME, SAE, SHPE, and ACM. As a staff member, he served as volunteer and advisor to APO, HKSA, and SWE and was honored with a Dedicated Staff Award during his tenure.

Currently, he is the Divisional Director of Information and Data Management at New York Institute of Technology where he leads a team in providing strategic and tactical analysis. He is a professional project manager and business analyst with a passion for, and eighteen years of experience in developing strategic forecast metrics, leveraging new technologies, and increasing ROI.

Outside of Poly, he volunteers extensively with the American Cancer Society and the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. He is married to fellow alum Kathy Fung Urmeneta ’99 and currently serves as Treasurer for the PIAA.

Leonard Singh, Vice President

General Manager, Manhattan Gas Operations
Class of '98 Electrical Engineering

Leonard P. Singh joined Consolidated Edison Company of NY Inc. in 1991 as a management intern. Leonard is currently general manager, Manhattan Gas Operations. Mr. Singh’s previous positions include general manager Bronx Gas Operations, section manager Manhattan Electric Construction, section manager, Astoria Operations in Central Field Services; section manager, Queens Gas Construction; and operating supervisor, engineer, chief construction inspector in Steam Operations.

Mr. Singh holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University, and completed the Siemens Power Technologies International Distribution Engineering course in 2007 and the Registered Gas Distribution Professional Certification Program in 2008. He is a member of the Board of Directors for The Salvadori Center and the McBurney YMCA. He sits on the Building and Property Committee of the YMCA of Greater NY.

Chris Clinton, Treasurer

Commissioning Engineer, Siemens Transit Technologies
Class of '09 Mechanical Engineering

Christopher Clinton graduated from NYU-Poly in 2009 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While attending Poly he worked for various departments including Student Development and Athletics. In addition, he was a peer counselor and an Orientation Leader. As a member of the Programming Advisory Board, he served under several committees and acted as Chair of the Clubs and Organizations committee. As a member of Student Council he served as Vice President of Student Organizations, during which he coordinated the Student Activities Awards Banquet. As President of Student Council Christopher helped bring the Certified Student Leader program to Poly.  After graduating he worked as a drafstmen for the Staplex Company. Currently he is working a Commissioning Engineer for Siemens Transit Technologies. Since graduation he has also served Poly as the Secretary for the PIAA.

 Eric Levenstein, Secretary

Computer Engineer, Department of Defense
Class of '06 Computer Engineering; '08 Telecommunications Networking; '10 MBA 

Eric Levenstein is a Computer Engineer for the Department of Defense and performs both technical and business activities. He actively uses the knowledge and skills he learned at Poly as both a student and member of multiple clubs and committees. He continues to be involved in Poly events and, as an Alumnus, tries to be a great representative for the school in his work and personal life.

International Board of Directors

Dick Eden

(Term Expires 2012)
Retired President, IntraComputer, Inc.
Class of ’73 Computer Science

Dick Eden is a retired president of IntraComputer Inc., a former Poly trustee and a past president of the Polytechnic Alumni Association. Mr. Eden became a director of WIRELESS TELECOM GROUP INC in May 1993 and served as WIRELESS TELECOM GROUP INC's Acting Chief Financial Officer from January 1999 until March 2001.Mr. Eden served as President of WIRELESS TELECOM GROUP INC from October 1998 to January 1999. Mr. Eden has also served as President, CEO and the Chairman of Intra Computer, Inc., a manufacturing and engineering consulting company, since it’s founding in 1979. Mr. Eden has a Master of Science degree in Electronics and Business Administration from Istanbul Technical University as well as an MS in Computer Science from New York Polytechnic University.

John Genuard

(Term Expires 2014)
Senior Programs Manager, J.P. Morgan
Class of '85 Electrical and Computer Engineering

John Genuard graduated from Polytechnic University in 1985 with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. One year later he earned his MS in Operations Research from Stanford University as part of an AT&T Bell Labs sponsored program. After several years working as a Systems Engineer at Bell Labs, John entered the banking industry as a Systems Analyst at Citibank, where he was involved with the automation of retail branch operations. In 1994 John joined J.P. Morgan as a consultant in the Emerging Markets sales, trading and research department. He was hired as an employee in 1996 and has been with J.P. Morgan ever since in a variety of technology roles, including the development of various internal and client facing web portals. John currently is a senior program manager supporting a number of firm-wide identity and access management systems. John is married with two children and lives in Valley Stream, New York.

Charlie Hinkaty

(Term Expires 2013)
Retired President & CEO, Del Laboratories, Inc.
Class of '70 & '72 Math

Charles J. Hinkaty has retired as President and CEO of Del Laboratories Inc. (DLI), a manufacturer of a variety of cosmetics, beauty products and pharmaceuticals. DLI Holding Corp. (an affiliate of Kelso & Company) acquired the firm in January 2005. Mr. Hinkaty presently serves as a board director for Sterling InfoSystems, Inc., W.F. Young, Inc., Lornamead, Ltd., Prestige Brands Holdings and Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc. Prior to Del Labs, Mr. Hinkaty was Vice President at Citibank and Director of Marketing for Bristol Myers. He began his career at Procter and Gamble. He has also served as Polytechnic Alumni Association President, as well as Chairman of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the trade association representing the OTC pharmaceutical industry. He received both his B.S. and M.S. in math from Polytechnic University in 1970 and 1972 respectively.  

Konstantinos “Gus” Maimis

(Ter Expires 2014)
Project Executive, World Trade Center Memorial & Cultural Projects
Class of '84 Civil Engineering 

Mr. Maimis has more than 25 years experience in the New York construction industry, specifically with healthcare, research and development, commercial and transportation projects, as well as mixed-use facilities.

As project executive for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Mr. Maimis is responsible for the oversight and management of all construction activities for this prestigious project including the preconstruction phase, bid and procurement process, scheduling and project finance.

Prior to joining STV in 2008, Mr. Maimis was the principal of his own construction management firm, where he spent 10 plus years providing executive direction for large-scale construction projects in the New York City metropolitan area. His clients included the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York University, Tishman Speyer Properties and Columbia University.

Mr. Maimis has earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York. He is a lecturer with New York University Real Estate & Construction Institute, a member of the board of directors for the Greater New York Construction Users Council, a member of the New York Building Congress Transportation and Public Sector committees, and is on the Polytechnic University Department of Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Board. He also is on the board of directors for the Marty Lyons Foundation.

Edward D. Manzo

(Term Expires 2014)
Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
Class of '72 Physics

Edward is a lawyer, author, and educator focusing since 1975 on intellectual property (IP) law. Based in Chicago since 1979, he was recognized as a Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer® in 2010 and 2011 and elected into Best Lawyers in America® for 2010 and 2011. He is the creator and editor-in-chief of two annual Thomson West books on patent law: Patent Claim Construction in the Federal Circuit, 2006 et seq., and Patent Claim Interpretation - Global Edition, 2008 et seq. He is President of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC) (the oldest IP bar association in the U.S.) and was principal author of several IPLAC amicus curiae briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court. He taught the doctrinal course on patent law at DePaul University College of Law as an Adjunct Professor and lectures throughout the U.S. on patent law topics.

At Poly, he was on the fencing team. After graduation (Physics 1972), he attended SUNY-Buffalo (University at Buffalo) law school (1975). He served on the board of ScholarLeaders International and now serves on the board of the Chicago Engineers Foundation. Since circa 1995, he has been a patron of the Stradivari Society of Chicago. He has served on the boards of two orchestras and other organizations. He enjoys playing guitar, singing in choir, and ballroom dance. Edward’s father attended Poly in the 1940s.

James J. Oussani, Jr.

(Term Expires 2012)
President, Staplex Company
Class of ’77 Mechanical Engineering

James J. Oussani, Jr. is President of The Staplex Company in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Polytechnic with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1977. James was the former President and Secretary of the Polytechnic Alumni Association. He is also the recipient of the 2000 Dedicated Alumnus Award.

Edward S. Sawchuk

(Term Expires 2013)
Contracts & AE Professions Attorney
Class of '76 Civil Engineering

David L. Sobin

(Term Expires 2012)
CEO, BAMnet Corporation
Class of ’72 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

David L. Sobin graduated from Polytechnic in 1972 with a BS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and an MS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science. He was active in student government, photo editor of the school newspaper, and president of Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity. During his 4 years at Poly, he wrote simulation software to help teach high school students various topics in science and engineering, a project funded by the the National Science Foundation.

After graduation, Mr. Sobin began a 24 year career at AT&T Bell Laboratories (now Lucent Technologies). During this time, he led the team which created the first DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) product in the early 1980s and deployed it worldwide.

He left AT&T/Lucent in 1996 to start his own DSL company, which was subsequently acquired by Cabletron, then a component of the S&P 500.

After Cabletron, Mr. Sobin joined BAMnet Corporation as CEO. Initially a dial-up Internet Service Provider, BAMnet now provides large-scale outdoor wireless broadband Internet service (WiFi) to campuses, hotel chains, and small towns.

Neil Weiser

(Term Expires 2013)
IT Consultant, WeiserTech
Class of ’73 Electrical Engineering

Neil D. Weiser is an independent IT consultant at WeiserTech. Previously he was a senior project manager at Excite@Home, a project manager at Sun Microsystems, a consultant at Allegro Consultants, and a team leader at Siemens/ROLM. Mr. Weiser holds a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Polytechnic. At Polytechnic, he was a member of ACM and co-founder of campus radio station.

Luther White

(Term Expires 2013)
Administrative Staff Analyst, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Class of ’87 Operations Research

Luther L. White is currently an administrative staff analyst at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Mr. White graduated in 1987 from Polytechnic with an MS in Operations Research. He also holds an MBA from Long Island University.

 Shafik Yaghmour

(Term Expires 2012)
Associate, Morgan Stanley & Co.
Class of ’97 Computer Science; ’03 Telecommunication Networks; '09 Financial Engineering

Shafik Yaghmour is a software developer in the financial industry. As an undergraduate at Polytechnic, Mr. Yaghmour held various leadership positions in several student organizations including Tau Delta Phi, ACM and the Student Government. He was instrumental in an successful effort to resurrect the Student Government. Moreover, he worked tirelessly to represent the interest of the student body and to ensure a constructive relationship between the student organizations and the administration. Mr. Yaghmour holds a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Telecommunications Networking from Polytechnic University and is an alumnus of Brooklyn Technical High School. He worked for over six years as a Systems Engineer in the financial industry and spent two years as a Senior and Lead Developer at Community Connect Inc. building vibrant ethnic community web spaces.

John Yankovich

(Term Expires 2014)
Partner, Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero and Perle, LLP
Class of '91 Electrical Engineering

John Yankovich received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Pace University in 1987, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University in 1991, and a Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law in 1995.

Mr. Yankovich is a patent attorney, and a partner, at the law firm of Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero and Perle, LLP, in Stamford, Connecticut. He has been with the firm since 1998. His practice is directed to preparation and prosecution of patent applications, and also to drafting of opinions relating to patentability and infringement. His work has been concentrated in the fields of telecommunications, computer systems and peripheral equipment, medical imaging, optics, electrical circuitry, software processes and Internet applications.

Prior to becoming a patent attorney, Mr. Yankovich was employed in the electronics industry for 21 years. From 1984 – 1998, he worked at Lockheed Martin Fairchild Systems as an electrical engineer and a software analyst, where he designed hardware and software for radar warning receivers used on military aircraft. From 1976 – 1984, Mr. Yankovich was employed by Picker/Cambridge Medical Instruments, first as an electronic technician, and then as a supervisor, where he was engaged in the production of medical equipment.