From Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge
Xaverian’s President, Robert B. Alesi, ’78, together with Brother Lawrence Harvey, C.F.X., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, proudly welcomes five influential new members to Xaverian’s Board of Trustees.
The new trustees are Chris Mullin, ’81, Advisor to the Owner and Chairman of the Sacramento Kings, five-time NBA All-Star, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and NBA Hall of Fame Inductee; Ed Gilligan, ’77, President of American Express Company; Michael T. Strianese, ’74, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of L-3; Steven Galetta, M.D., ’75, Chair of Neurology at NYU Langone Medical Center; and Cara A. Macksoud, a prominent trader and risk manager who is a member of Xaverian’s Genesis middle school program’s class of 1992.
“The addition of such prominent new board members is yet another successful step in ensuring the promise of Xaverian’s future,” says President Alesi. “The range of experience that each Board member brings to the table is truly remarkable. Perhaps even more impressive than their professional pedigrees are Chris Mullin, Ed Gilligan, Michael Strianese, Steven Galetta, and Cara Macksoud’s proven track records of making a difference in the lives of others. I can’t think of a better group of professionals to work with in continuing the implementation of Xaverian’s Strategic Plan, which calls for, in part, a dedicated wing for the middle school, a new school chapel, cutting-edge science labs, a new school entrance, and further enhancements to our state-of-the-art auditorium.”
After achieving prominence while playing basketball at Xaverian, Mullin was recruited by the legendary Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca to play for St. John’s University. A three-time Big East Player of the Year (1983-85), Chris led St. John’s to the 1985 Final Four and its first No. 1 ranking since 1951. His college career culminated with an Olympic gold medal in 1984.
In 1985, Chris was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round with the seventh pick in the NBA Draft. A five-time NBA All-Star, Chris was selected as an original member of the 1992 Dream Team, where he won an unprecedented second Olympic gold medal.
Chris was one of 10 individuals inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the Class of 2011 and entered the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame that same year. In 2012, the Golden State Warriors retired Chris’ jersey number. His famous No. 17 now hangs in the rafters at Golden State’s Oracle Arena.
Chris, who currently serves as Advisor to the Owner and Chairman of the Sacramento Kings, was the recipient of the 2013 Spirit of Xaverian Award and is proud to be joining the Board of Trustees.
“The support and education that I received while at Xaverian served as a solid foundation for all of my future success,” he said. “I think it is so important to give back and to take care of the students that will be tomorrow’s leaders. As a proud member of the Board of Trustees, I pledge to do whatever I can to preserve and promote the tradition of educational excellence that embodies Xaverian.”
