SPARKILL, N.Y. — St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) announced that its President, Kenneth Daly, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC), marking another step in the College’s mission to advance education, economic growth, workforce development, and innovation across the region.
“I appreciate the opportunity to officially join the HVEDC Board of Directors to help contribute to the growth and vitality of our region,” Daly said. “Education is a powerful engine for change — together, we can open doors for students, spark innovation for entrepreneurs, and build thriving communities for the future.”
Daly, who became STAC’s ninth president on July 1, 2020, has overseen significant institutional growth. His tenure includes the launch of a new School of STEM and an Astronomy Center, integration of experiential learning across all undergraduate programs, and modernization of the MBA program with specializations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and healthcare. The campus footprint has expanded by 30%, and STAC now hosts the region’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), providing free resources to local entrepreneurs.
HVEDC President and CEO Mike Oates welcomed Daly, noting, “Ken is a transformational leader whose commitment to education, innovation, and workforce readiness perfectly aligns with HVEDC’s mission. His depth of experience across both the private and academic sectors will bring tremendous insight and value to our strategic efforts throughout the Hudson Valley.”
Before leading STAC, Daly enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in the clean energy sector, serving as President of National Grid New York. He holds a BA in English from St. Francis College, an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University, an MS in Human Resource Management from NYU, and completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), he has served on the boards of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC), and has lectured at top institutions including Harvard, MIT, and NYU, as well as abroad in the UK, Italy, and Canada.
Founded in 1952, St. Thomas Aquinas College is a leading liberal arts institution in Rockland County, serving approximately 2,000 students across more than 100 academic programs. It is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top Northern Regional University and a Top Performer in Social Mobility.