Date: Jun 10, 2008

Debra Sandler '82 and George W. Bilicic, Jr. Join Hofstra Board of Trustees

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz today announced the appointments of Debra Sandler and George W. Bilicic, Jr. to the Hofstra Board of Trustees, effective immediately.

"I am delighted to welcome Debra Sandler and George Bilicic, Jr. to our Board of Trustees," President Rabinowitz said. "Both of these business leaders bring valuable skills and experience to Hofstra as well as a commitment to higher education and to the continued enhancement of our University as a nationally and internationally prominent center of academic excellence."

Debra Sandler, B.B.A. '82, is the worldwide president for McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company and global marketer of innovative nutritional products. Prior to this position, Ms. Sandler was general manager for the company's North American business and was responsible for all aspects of marketing, sales, operations, communications and quality assurance in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. She spearheaded the highly successful consumer launch of SPLENDA* in the United States.

Ms. Sandler began her career at PepsiCo Inc., where she served for 13 years in a variety of marketing positions of increasing responsibility. She joined the Johnson & Johnson organization in 1999 as vice president of worldwide marketing for McNeil Specialty Products Company. She moved to the personal products company of Johnson & Johnson as vice president of worldwide marketing. In 2002 she returned to McNeil Nutritionals as worldwide group vice president of marketing.

"This is an extraordinary time at Hofstra University, with the upcoming presidential debate and the creation of a new medical school. I'm excited to be a part of this,” Ms. Sandler said. "As one of the newest members of the board of trustees, I look forward to working with President Stuart Rabinowitz and my fellow trustees in planning the future growth of the University."

Ms. Sandler has been recognized by Advertising Age as part of the "Power 50 Marketers Award for Excellence in Marketing" (2004); by Ebony magazine as one of the "Top 15 African American Female Executives in Corporate America"; by The Network Journal as one of the "Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business"; and by Black Enterprise as one of the "Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America." She has also been named one of the "Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications." Ms. Sandler received her BBA from Hofstra in 1982 and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University

George W. Bilicic, Jr. joined Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts as a Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure effective June 2008.  At KKR he leads the new initiative to invest in infrastructure on a global basis, working in collaboration with KKR’s other industry groups.

From March 2002 through May 2008, Mr. Bilicic was a Managing Director at Lazard and headed the firm’s global efforts in the power, energy and infrastructure sectors. Mr. Bilicic also served a term as the Head of Lazard’s Midwest Advisory business, serving the needs of companies based in that region of the U.S. across all industries. 

Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Bilicic served in the same capacity at Merrill Lynch in its Mergers and Acquisitions Group.  Previously, he was a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where his diverse corporate practice primarily focused on mergers and acquisitions, but also included joint ventures, public offerings, and swaps and other derivatives.  Mr. Bilicic earned a bachelor’s degree from DeSales University, and went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

 "Hofstra is a university on the rise," Mr. Bilicic said. “It’s a school with an upward trajectory, and I hope to contribute however I can, drawing on my background in law and my experience working with institutions of higher education.”

Mr. Bilicic lives with his wife, Laura, and four children in Locust Valley, N.Y.  He has served on the boards of YMCA of Greater New York, Family Justice, Gillen Brewer School, and Refugees International.  In January 2007, he was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council of Wartburg College, in Waverly, IA.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 145 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.