Board of Directors

President

Dean and Professor Emeritus Timothy Blair previously served for 30 years in higher education, including 20 years at West Chester University (WCU) as Dean of the School of Music, then as Founding Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Founding Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.

The many notable accomplishments under his watch as Dean include the School of Music becoming an All-Steinway School; an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education; the Samuel Barber Summer Institute for Music Educators; the Brandywine International Piano Institute; numerous Kennedy Center national awards for WCU Theatre & Dance, international initiatives by the WCU Art Program; an educational partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra; WCU artist faculty recitals at Steinway and Carnegie Halls in New York; and concerts by School of Music student ensembles and faculty at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Dean Blair also provided extensive donor cultivation leadership and international initiatives that include artistic and educational partnerships with the Xi’an Conservatory and the Foshan Liu Shi-Kun Music and Art School, China, and South Korea’s University of Ulsan.

A Steinway Artist, Dr. Blair performs internationally and serves as a visiting clinician and adjudicator. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and boards, in addition to being a National Association of Schools of Music accreditation evaluator.

Vice President

Since becoming an attorney in 1985, Mr. Garofalo has focused his practice on litigation, particularly in construction, family, collaborative, commercial and employment law, as well as mediation.

His direct approach ensures his clients fully understand all legal issues so that informed and intelligent decisions can be made. Mr. Garofalo recognizes his clients expect and must receive direct answers to their questions, that direct communication between the attorney and the client is a must, and that a client’s ability to reach Mr. Garofalo, even during non-business hours, is important. Mr. Garofalo and his firm are always fully prepared to handle a client’s legal needs and to provide a result-oriented approach, from the inception of a matter to its conclusion.

In 2003, Mr. Garofalo undertook training to become a divorce mediator. Since then, he has worked with many couples in successfully resolving their family law issues in an environment that is comfortable, private, and less stressful than a courtroom. As a divorce mediator, he provides clients with expertise in resolving issues such as asset allocation, tax issues, support, custody, and co-parenting plans. He also participates in collaborative law, a process where both parties agree with their respective attorneys to work in cooperation with each other to resolve their family law matters.

Secretary

After years in the banking industry, Theresa Strnad has turned her full attention to philanthropy. As Secretary of the Board of the Alexander & Buono Foundation, she has helped to chair a number of events related to both the Academy and ABF, playing a principal role in fundraising during the pandemic, while also helping to sponsor the Alexander & Buono Gala in 2022 honoring pianist Ruth Slenczynska, as part of Ms. Slenczynska’s recording for the Decca label.

In addition, Ms. Strnad organizes strategy for the many fundraising initiatives that are part of the work of the foundation, including sourcing funding opportunities for grants, making recommendations for scholarships, while also acting as a liaison between the ABF and its many national and international philanthropic campaigns designed to promote greater visibility for competition laureates.

Her affiliations also include work with The Service Club of Chicago, an all-volunteer organization established in 1890 which raises funds to award grants impacting social service, health, education and cultural organizations in Chicago and surrounding areas; the Friends of Conservation, whose work focuses on supporting the East African and Kenya communities’ sustainable natural resources management; and the Chicago Lighthouse, a world-renowned social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veteran communities with comprehensive vision care and support services.