October 15, 2019
New Officers and Members Join La Roche University Board of Trustees
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 15, 2019 – The La Roche University Board of Trustees elected two officers and welcomed two new members at its May 2019 board meeting. The first official board meeting for the new officers and members is Oct. 25, 2019.
“Each board member brings valuable experiences and a genuine interest in La Roche. These perspectives will be critical to advancing the University’s vision as we strategically address the opportunities and challenges ahead of us,” Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., president of La Roche, said.
Officers
Bradley J. Franc, Esquire
Chair
Mr. Franc was elected to the La Roche University Board of Trustees in April 2010. He served two terms as vice chair from May 2015 to May 2019, before being elected chair in May 2019.
As director of Houston Harbaugh, P.C., Mr. Franc works extensively with private business owners and closely held businesses to strategically integrate their business and estate planning objectives.
For many closely- and privately-held business clients, he serves as outside general counsel and advises on key initiatives such as business and strategic planning, commercial transactions, corporate governance, and estate and succession planning.
Combining his legal experience with his experience as a former certified public accountant at an international CPA firm, Mr. Franc also advises on federal and state tax issues.
A frequent lecturer and author on closely held business and tax topics, federal and state tax issues, and estate planning, his articles on tax provisions have been cited by the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Franc also has appeared nationally on Bloomberg Television and Fox News websites for his business, tax and succession planning advice. He also has been published in U.S. News & World Report.
Mr. Franc is the creator of The Succession SolutionSM, a customized program to assist closely held businesses in their transition into the next generation. In May 2019 he published his book, “The Succession Solution, The Complete Guide to Transition Planning.”
Mr. Franc received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University.
Ernestine Harris
Vice Chair
Alumna Ernestine Harris was elected to the La Roche University Board of Trustees in October 2016. She was elected vice chair in May 2019.
Mrs. Harris is a human resources leader and coach with a broad-based business perspective anchored in partnering with business leaders to align the people strategy to business objectives. She is known for driving results through a consultative, participative leadership style with high integrity and a positive teaming approach. Throughout her career Mrs. Harris has worked successfully in multiple businesses such as: PPG Industries, Carnegie Mellon University, Digital Equipment Corporation, PNC and GlaxoSmithKline.
As a former human resources director for GlaxoSmithKline, Mrs. Harris led the delivery of HR interventions for research and development, both in England and the U.S., contributing to the attainment of business goals. She also led the learning and training delivery services team across all client groups in England and the U.S., as well as the delivery of employee relations across all business segments in the U.S.
Previously Mrs. Harris was board president of the Pennsylvania Organization of Women in Early Recovery (POWER); vice chair of Goodwill Industries board of directors Southwestern Pennsylvania; board member of the African American Chamber of Commerce Foundation; on the National Adoption Center board of directors; and chair of the trustee board at St. Paul’s Baptist Church.
Mrs. Harris was named the Health Care Business Women’s Rising Star and a Woman of Excellence by the Pittsburgh Courier. She has received four Multicultural Marketing Diversity Awards throughout her tenure at GlaxoSmithKline. Mrs. Harris also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from La Roche.
She has a Bachelor of Science in business management and a Master of Science in human resources management from La Roche.
Members
Mary Elizabeth Fisher Albaugh
Mrs. Albaugh is the founder and chief executive officer of Betsy Fisher Inc., an upscale women’s boutique located on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in foreign service, with a focus in international affairs from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Mrs. Albaugh is a member of the board of directors of Freedomworks Inc.
Lyle D. Albaugh
Mr. Albaugh is the founder and president of Higher Admission Inc., an online tool enabling families to compare costs of higher educational institutions to determine affordability.
He serves as chief operating and financial officer of Betsy Fisher Inc. Mr. Albaugh previously was employed as a securities and contract lawyer at Morrison & Foerester, and in the audit department of Deloitte.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Mr. Albaugh is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of sergeant.
For a complete list of the La Roche University Board of Trustees, please visit: laroche.edu/About/Board_of_Trustees/.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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