Board of Trustee Members

Allen K. Williams - Chair
Gubernatorial Appointment (2012-2024)

Mr. Williams is the current Chair of the Board of Trustees of Monroe Community College. He is also Chair of the New York Community College Trustees Association (NYCCT). NYCCT is the statewide organization that represents the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. He is the former Chair and Program Coordinator for the Rochester Joint School Construction Board (RJSCB). The RJSCB was created the by the Rochester School Facilities Modernization Act, a $1.3 billion program which renovates schools in the Rochester City School District to bring them up to 21st century learning standards. Mr. Williams is the former Director of Special Projects and Education Initiatives for Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. Mr. Williams has nearly 30 years of financial, accounting and pension planning experience. He was the Chief Financial Officer for Brown & Hutchinson, the largest minority owned law firm in New York State. He has worked at TIAA-CREF, JP Morgan & Co. and the United States International Trade Commission. As the Director of Special Projects and Education Initiatives, he was responsible for a variety of the mayor’s initiatives centered on early childhood learning, literacy and job readiness. He is also a strong supporter of education, having served as an adjunct instructor in MCC’s Business Administration and Economics Department and as a commissioner on the Rochester City School District Board of Education. He also served on the boards of WXXI Public Broadcasting, the Jordan Health Center, Action for a Better Community, the Landmark Society of Western New York and the Rochester Child Care Council. Mr. Williams earned an MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine.

Carla M. Palumbo, Esq., Vice Chair
Gubernatorial Appointment (2016-2022)

Ms. Palumbo is the president and CEO of the Legal Aid Society of Rochester with over 30 years of experience as attorney. She has spent much of her career with the organization advocating for domestic violence victims and access to justice for the most vulnerable in our community. Previously, she served on the Monroe County Legislature, including two years as minority leader of her caucus, and on the Rochester City Council, representing Northwest Rochester. During her time on the Council, she chaired the Neighborhood and Business Development Committee. In addition to her public service, she is the co-author of the third and fourth editions of The Law of Sex Discrimination. Ms. Palumbo’s community involvement includes serving as the immediate past president of the board of Mary’s Place and as a board member of the New York Bar Foundation, which has named her a lifetime fellow. She holds a juris doctor degree from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Italian education from SUNY Albany.

Daniele Lyman-Torres - Secretary
Local Appointment (2022-2025)

A member of the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame, Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres is the President and CEO of Bivona Child Advocacy Center where she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on supporting children impacted by abuse. A proven health care and human services leader, Dr. Lyman-Torres previously served as Commissioner of Recreation and Human Services for the City of Rochester and as President and CEO of the Arc of Yates among other roles. Dr. Lyman-Torres also serves on the board for the Center for Governmental Research. She holds a doctorate of education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher University, master of science and bachelor of science degrees from Roberts Wesleyan University, and an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences from MCC. In addition to serving as an MCC Trustee, she instructs doctoral candidates as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education at St. John Fisher University.

John B. Baynes
Local Appointment (2024-2025)

John B. Baynes represents the Monroe County Legislature's 11th District comprised of western Perinton, the Village of Fairport, and the Village of East Rochester. He was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2021 and 2023. John served 46 years as a high school English teacher in Monroe County, teaching at Fairport High School from 1978-2017.  John attended the University of Toronto, and transferred to the University of Rochester where he completed his degree in English in 1975. He earned his M.S. at SUNY Geneseo in 1980. During his teaching career John was chosen by Fairport students as Commencement Speaker on four occasions, was named Teacher of the Year for the Fairport Schools in 1989 and a 2001 University of Rochester Secondary School Teacher of Excellence, was recognized with a Fairport Crystal Apple Award in 1996 and as a Channel 8 Golden Apple winner. John earned two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and has had a long career as a public speaker on topics regarding education, literature, and the humanities.  Vice-chair of the Agenda/Charter Committee of the Monroe County Legislature, John also serves on the Ways and Means Committee and as Chair of the Recreation and Education Committee.

Joseph Leichtner
Student Trustee (2024-2025)

Joseph Leichtner, pursuing an associate degree in Business Administration, aspires to be a lawyer. Joe is fascinated by how businesses operate and grow. In addition to a deep passion for business and finance, his study of business administration provides the knowledge and skills to help himself, and others make informed financially sustainable decisions. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Joe is an active member of our campus community; he is the Student Government Association President, a member of MCC’s Alpha Theta Iota chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and a National Model United Nations Head Delegate.

Gladys Pedraza-Burgos
Gubernatorial Appointment (2024)

Ms. Pedraza-Burgos is a retired Vice President of Early Childhood Services at Action for A Better Community Inc. She oversaw the Federal Head Start Programs of Monroe County.  She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Ibero American Action League, where she oversaw planning and development of the agency’s programs and services. She also worked as the Chief of Youth Development and Family Services at the Rochester City School District and the Co-Director of the Center for Community Health, Education, and Diversity at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Ms. Pedraza-Burgos is a passionate advocate for education, health, employment, and community engagement.  She is the Co-founder of Rochester’s Western NY first 24/7 Dual Language Radio Station -- WEPL (El Poder Latino) 97.1 FM. Pedraza-Burgos has served on numerous community boards and committees: Chair,  Common  Ground  Health - Latino Health Coalition, Regional Primary Care Network (RPCN) the Rochester – Monroe County Anti-Poverty  Social Services & System  Design Group, Community  Task  Force on  School  Climate,  The  Finger Lakes Providers Partners System(FLPPS) -  Cultural Competence and Community  Based Organizations committees, and the Rochester Community Area Foundation - Latino Giving Circle Steering Committee. Ms. Pedraza-Burgos is a member of the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. She is a first-generation high school and college student. She earned a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development degree from the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies from SUNY College at Brockport, and an Associate in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from Monroe Community College.

Angelica Perez-Delgado
Local Appointment (2024-2028)

Angelica Perez-Delgado, also known as Angie, is the President and CEO of the Ibero-American Action League. She has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, beginning her career as a substance abuse therapist before transitioning into administration over the past two decades. A native of Rochester, Angie grew up in the North Clinton neighborhoods and has a unique perspective shaped by her experiences with poverty, trauma, and dropping out of high school at the age of 16 as a teenage mother. She later earned her GED and an Associate's degree from Monroe Community College, which helped her turn her life around through the very services she now leads. This personal journey has well-prepared her for her role as an MCC Board Trustee. Angie’s contributions to the community have been widely recognized, including her induction into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. She holds a Master of Science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College, an Advanced Certificate in Theology, Scripture, and Ministry from Northeastern Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services from Empire State College. An active grassroots organizer in Rochester's Northeast, Angie participates in various advisory groups and boards. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and spending quality time with family and friends and riding motorcycles. 

Dale R. Rehkopf II
Local Appointment (2019-2028)

Mr. Rehkopf is a United States Army veteran and an Edward Jones financial advisor. He has over 17 years of experience specializing in retirement, education, and risk management planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Master Planner of Advanced Studies (MPAS®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designations. Mr. Rehkopf has been responsible for the talent acquisition, training, operations, and practice management of Edward Jones financial advisors throughout Western New York. He earned a master of science degree from the College for Financial Planning® and a bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Grace S. Tillinghast
Local Appointment (2009-2027)

Mrs. Tillinghast is co-owner of The Battery, a baseball and softball training facility in Gates, and a former Eastman Kodak Company executive. In addition to her extensive career in public affairs and communications at Kodak, she was co-host and co-producer of "Que Pasa Rochester," WXXI's Spanish-language news program, for 16 years. An area resident for nearly 40 years, she is a longtime advocate of the Hispanic community. Presently, she serves on the boards of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association, the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and the Rochester Police Department Do the Right Thing program. Fluent in five languages, she has lectured and published throughout the world about the use and abuse of the Spanish language. Ms. Tillinghast's education includes certification in elementary and secondary education from Tomas Godoy Cruz Teachers' College; certification in English, University of Michigan; certification in Italian, Dante Alighieri Institute; and certification in corporate community relations, Boston College School of Management.

Connie O. Walker, Esq.
Gubernatorial Appointment (2021-2026)

Ms. Walker is retired as a career law clerk with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Her legal career spanned over 30 years, beginning as a criminal law associate in the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office and advancing to assistant public defender and later to senior deputy county attorney in the Monroe County Law Department. She also worked as a law clerk for the Rochester City, Monroe County and Supreme courts. Her community involvement includes serving as board chair of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation and advisory board member of the 7th Judicial District Restorative Justice Project. Ms. Walker  is honored to be a past president of the Monroe County Bar Association and a current member. She holds a juris doctor degree from Syracuse University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Brockport and state certification in elementary education.