2004 Distinguished Citizens Honorees

Robert R. Ceberio
Douglas H. Dittrick
Frances K. Hackett ’80
Robert S. Straiano

March 6, 2004
Rockleigh Country Club
Rockleigh, New Jersey

Robert R. Ceberio

New Jersey Meadowlands Commission

Robert R. Ceberio, Executive Director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, has served in a variety of capacities since 1981 including Director of Administration, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Administrator of Solid Waste Rate Management, and Deputy Executive Director.

As Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Ceberio served as CEO and was directly responsible for the acquisition of over 1,900 acres of wetlands for open space preservation, the implementation of over 12 redevelopment plans/projects, the creation of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, and the development of active and passive recreation facilities. Mr. Ceberio also guided the Meadowlands Commission’s proposal to convert five landfills into a golf/commercial development.

Prior to joining the Commission, he worked for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the New Jersey Senate, and the Township of Lyndhurst. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Political Science and Public Administration. Mr. Ceberio has been a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) since 1996.

Mr. Ceberio is also an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he teaches courses in the Masters of Administrative Science (MAS) and Masters in Public Administration (MPA) programs. He is also an instructor in the New Jersey Certified Managers Program.

Bob and his wife, Carol, have three children, Mathew, Luke, and Katherine Rose.

Douglas H. Dittrick

Douglas Communications Corporation II

Mr. Dittrick is President and CEO of Douglas Communications Corporation II, which he founded in 1986. Active in the cable television field since 1966, he has previously served as chairman of the National Cable Television Association. Mr. Dittrick is a Director of Vornado Operating Company and past Director of Fleet Bank, N.A.
Mr. Dittrick has always been active in civic and non-profit groups. He is currently Chairman of the Valley Health System and Past Chairman of the Valley Hospital. He served on the Ridgewood Board of Education where he was President for 5 years.
Dittrick graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where he has served as President of the Alumni Association and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Dittrick has also served as National President of his college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta.
He is currently on the National Board of the American Red Cross and serves as the Northeast Regional President of the Boy Scouts of America. Dittrick is on the Board of the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation and is active in his local Rotary Club, CASA, and the Community Church of Upper Ridgewood.
Dittrick is married to the former Barbara Slocum and they have lived in Ridgewood, NJ since 1973. They have three daughters, all of whom are married, and nine grandchildren.

Frances K. Hackett ‘80

Prudential Group

Fran Hackett is a 1980 graduate of Ramapo College with a B.S. in Business Administration and American Studies. She began her education at Ramapo College in 1973 as a full-time student leaving in 1974 to join Prudential and returning in 1976 as a part-time student to complete her degree.
Ms. Hackett is currently Vice President, Program Management in Prudential Group Insurance department. Her responsibilities include the management of Prudential’s largest group client and special projects with significant organizational impact. During her tenure at Prudential, Hackett has held a wide range of positions in Operations, Account Management, Human Resources, Compliance and Project Management.
She has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Efficiency II and The Policy Advisory Committee of the Administrative Office of the New Jersey Courts. Hackett has also served on the Advisory Group for the School of Healthcare Related Professionals at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and was a member of the state Health Insurance Advisory Association.
Ms. Hackett has supported Ramapo College as a member of the Strategic Planning Executive Committee and continues to participate on the School of Administration and Business Advisory Board.
She resides in South Plainfield with her husband, Dave and son, David.

Robert E. Straiano

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.

Robert E. Striano, president of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., is responsible for all sales, marketing, operations and finance functions in support of Konica Minolta products.
Striano joined Konica Photo Imaging in 1999, after serving as president at the Recording Media and Energy Group (RMEG) at Sony Electronics where he was responsible for sales and marketing activities of Sony branded and OEM recording media products.
Striano launched his career with Procter & Gamble. He has also served as executive vice president at Reckitt & Colman prior to his seven years with RMEG at Sony Electronics.
A native of New Jersey, Striano earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fordham University and has completed Executive MBA courses at Columbia and Harvard Business Schools, as well as IMD Switzerland. He is listed in Who’s Who in U.S. Executives-1990 and was a vice president/executive board of the Ellis Island Commission.
Striano is active in several charitable organizations, including the Columbus Citizens Foundation, where he is on the Board of Governors, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and is Vice President of the New York Law Enforcement Association. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of Exceptional Parent Magazine, Board of Directors of Ramapo College Foundation, and Board of Directors of YCS Youth Consultation Service.
Striano currently resides in Manhattan, New York with his wife Jane and his daughter, Diana.