Seton Hall University Welcomes New Members to Board of Regents

Seton Hall University is pleased to welcome four new members to its Board of Regents. The new Regents jointly bring to the Board decades of experience and expertise in healthcare, finance, accounting, management, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and marketing.

The new members join a dedicated group of Regents and Regents Emeriti as the University moves into its third and final year of its strategic plan, Harvest Our Treasures.

“It brings me great joy to welcome these newest members to the Board of Regents,” said Interim President Katia Passerini, Ph.D. “They bring to their roles at Seton Hall a wealth of high-level experience and knowledge from diverse backgrounds. With their guidance and leadership, the University is poised to continue its elevation and pursuit of excellence as of one the country’s leading Catholic universities.”

The new Regents are:

Joseph J. Hughes ’71

Joseph J. Hughes is president and founder of Country Club Services, a parking and transportation company that provides services locally and nationally. With services ranging from traditional valet parking at local establishments to supporting major events such as U.S. Open Golf Tournament, Hughes founded the company during his undergraduate studies at the University, where he was a member of ROTC and Pershing Rifles. Hughes is also a member of the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Business Partnership Building Business for a Greater Newark, the National Parking Association and the Stadium Managers Association. Presently, Hughes also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Newark, New Jersey-based Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children as well as a board member of Team Walker, a nonprofit organization co-founded by alumnus Jerry Walker ’03 that provides inner-city youth with innovative after-school and summer programs that teach sports, academics and life skills.

Hughes and his wife have been long-time supporters of the Seton Hall Fund and the Pirate Blue Athletic Fund, in addition to serving the University community in various ways. Hughes actively supports the University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in an advisory capacity and over the years, he has served as chair of the Many Are One Alumni Awards Gala Committee, coordinator of the Seton Hall Alumni Recruitment Program, chair of the Stillman School of Business Alumni Golf Outing, president of the Alumni Association and was a member of the Alumni Board of Directors. In 2008, Hughes was inducted in the University’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and in 2004, the University honored him with the Alumni Association Service Award.

Alisa Coren Norris

Alisa Coren Norris is corporate director at CP Direct, a private equity-backed direct marketing company. Norris also serves as lead independent director at Vitamix, a consumer products company producing blending equipment for home and commercial use, and independent director at Standard Motor Products, a leading manufacturer and marketer of replacement parts for motor vehicles. Norris brings extensive experience in marketing, communications, digital fundraising and operations gained from her roles as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at JDRF International and Chief People Officer at Opera Solutions, among others. 

Norris earned a B.A. in Political Science from Trinity College and an M.B.A. in Management from

Harvard Business School. Additionally, she is member of the International Women's Forum, Co-Chair of the New York City Chapter of the Women Corporate Directors Foundation and serves on the Board of Fellows at Trinity College.

Thomas L. Tran ’78

Thomas L. Tran is Chief Financial Officer of UpStream Healthcare, a North Carolina-based firm that provides physicians with the support and systems they need to improve healthcare for seniors. Tran has more than 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry, previously serving as CFO of Molina Healthcare and CFO of WellCare Health Plans as well as holding senior leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group, ConnectiCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Cigna.

Tran earned his bachelor's degree from Seton Hall University in 1978 and his master’s degree in business administration from New York University. He served on Seton Hall’s President's Advisory Council between 2011 and 2013. He immigrated to the United States from Vietnam and attributes much of his professional success to his Seton Hall University education.

Patrick Walsh ’90

Patrick Walsh serves as Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer at Withum, one of the top 25 advisory, accounting and tax firms in the United States. With more than 30 years of public accounting experience, Walsh specializes in all aspects of corporate taxation advising global organizations on tax strategy and structuring.

Walsh is passionate about assisting those in at-risk communities and underserved youth, serving as a Trustee of the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Walsh is also a member of the Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity of Morris, Greater Plainfield and Middlesex Counties. Walsh received a B.S. in Accounting from the University in 1990 and his M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and Tax from the New York University Stern School of Business. In the coming days, Walsh will be recognized as a Most Distinguished Alumnus during the University’s Many Are One Alumni Award Gala, the highest honor for a Seton Hall alumnus/a to achieve at the University.

Categories: Alumni