2020-2021 Distinguished Citizens Honorees

Dr. Peter P. Mercer and Dr. Jacqueline Ehlert-Mercer
Eileen Comerford ’80
Ann Marie Leichman
Joseph M. Sanzari

June 5, 2021
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

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Dr. Peter P. Mercer and Dr. Jacqueline Ehlert-Mercer

Dr. Peter Philip Mercer became Ramapo College’s fourth president on July 1, 2005. He has authored, co-authored and edited two books, numerous articles, book chapters and reviews.  His publications have focused on the legal profession and professional standards as well as the unique features of higher education administration. He earned his L.L.M. and Ph.D. from the
University of Cambridge, and a J.D. from the University of Western Ontario. For 20 years, he also has served as principal instructor in the Senior University Administrators Course held at the Banff Center, Banff Alberta, each June and he is a member of the faculty of the Harvard University Seminar for New Presidents held every July.

President Mercer has led the College through Ramapo College through an ambitious and transformative campus-wide building program that has resulted in the completion of the Anisfield School of Business, the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center, the Sharp Sustainability Education Center and the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, among others, as well as the College’s soon-to-open renovated Library and Learning Commons.

Over the past 16 years, President Mercer has worked alongside the Foundation to identify
institutional needs, to provide support to students, to further student/faculty research, and to
advance the College as a most worthy recipient of philanthropic support. In 2016, he and Dr.
Jacqueline Ehlert-Mercer established the Rev. William Mercer Endowment Scholarship in
memory of his late father.

President Mercer stepped down on June 30, 2021.

Dr. Jacqueline Ehlert-Mercer is a registered dietitian, nutrition educator, author and
researcher and has practiced and taught nutrition for 22 years. She practiced for most of that
time in her native Canada. She taught nutrition in the faculty of dentistry at the University of
Western Ontario, the nursing program at Columbia University Teacher’s College, and the
master of nutrition program at Montclair State University.

Six months after moving to New Jersey in 2005, Dr. Ehlert-Mercer established the Havemeyer
House Edible Garden where college students engage alongside K-12 students and community
members to learn about nutrition through a living curriculum. In 2011, the mission of the edible
garden was enhanced with the introduction of beehives and programming focused on
beekeeping and sustainability. Her research interests are centered on the eating and nutrition
behaviors of college students as well as food ecology and sustainable food systems.

Dr. Ehlert-Mercer has been a strong advocate of the liberal arts and a frontline ambassador
with students, parents, business and community leaders for the value of a Ramapo College
education.

Eileen Comerford ’80

Ms. Comerford is Director of Municipal Investments at Gallatin & Company, LLC. She is responsible for the management of municipal bond investments for high net worth investors and works closely with her clients to create customized portfolios that reflect their current needs, future goals and risk tolerance.

Prior to joining Gallatin & Company, Eileen spent 29 years at J. & W. Seligman & Company, Inc., a privately owned investment advisory firm established in 1864. As Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, Eileen was responsible for the management of more than $1 billion in municipal bond fund assets. Throughout her career, she was directly involved in developing efficient processes, establishing compliance procedures and supporting marketing efforts.

Eileen graduated from Ramapo College in 1980 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration. She is a member of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors, and shares her leadership on the Investment Committee, Performing Arts Dinner Series Committee, and Evening at Darlington Mansion Committee. Eileen also serves on the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board, the Learning Commons Capital Campaign Cabinet, and the Roadrunner Financial Group Advisory Board. She also is a member of the Friends of Ramapo.

Eileen also is a mentor in the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors’ Mentorship Program.

Additionally, Eileen has been a Volunteer Advocate for the State of NJ Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) since 2012. The LTCO seeks to protect the health, welfare, civil and human rights of older individuals in long-term care facilities. Eileen and her husband, James, enjoy nothing more than spending time with family and friends.

Ann Marie Leichman

Ann Marie Leichman, R.N., MSN, NEA-BC, is the Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey where she has worked for the past 20 years. During her tenure at the hospital, she has been part of its many accomplishments including four consecutive ANCC Magnet designations for nursing excellence, four-time recipient of the AACN Beacon Award for all critical care units including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and numerous Joint Commission Disease Specific Certifications.

Ms. Leichman holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lehman College. In 2008, she became an American Hospital Association HRET Patient Safety Leadership Fellow and is a 2004 graduate of an Integrative Healing Arts Program in Holistic Nursing. She also holds Board Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Nurse Executive – Advanced level. She is active in many professional organizations and is the President of the Organization of Nurse Leaders – New Jersey and President of The New Jersey Council of Magnet Organizations.

She has been recognized for her professional accomplishments by the Institute for Nursing with their 2018 Diva and Don Award and also by the Organization of Nurse Leaders – New Jersey in 2014 with their Nurse Executive of the Year award.  In addition, she was the recipient of The Record’s 2015 Tribute to Nursing award in Nursing Administration and was the recipient of the YMCA Tribute to Women and Industry award in 2007.

Ramapo College’s nursing faculty and students greatly benefit from the significant partnership they share with Valley Hospital and in particular, the commitment and dedication provided by Ms. Leichman.

Joseph M. Sanzari

Joe is the founder and owner of Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc., a highway and heavy construction business. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, his company is a driving force behind many significant projects in New Jersey and New York including work with all major public agencies along with large private projects. He has a reputation for his leadership in completing complex projects in a timely manner as well as his keen attention to detail and personal involvement in every aspect of his business. Twenty-two years ago, his company’s award-winning reconstruction of the Route 4/Route 17 interchange was 18 months ahead of schedule. The effects of this engineering masterpiece are felt daily by millions of commuter and residents throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.

Joe is a self-made man and began working and learning about construction in his hometown as a teenager. He began his career as a member of Operating Engineers Local 825 as a heavy equipment operator. In 1969, he began performing municipal county and utility public work with one dump truck, one backhoe and one pickup truck. Today, Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc. is the driving force behind many significant projects in New Jersey and New York including work with all major public agencies along with large private projects. One of his favorite quotes is, “the road to success is always under construction.” With responsibility as the foundation of his core values, he believes deeply in safety, loyalty, integrity, independence and partnership in all aspects of his business. He has cultivated a kind and respective environment within his company, with his greatest assets being his employees. His mottos, “grounded in trust,” and “we plan, we build, we lead,” epitomize his invaluable acumen and numerous accolades. Joe’s solid reputation and meticulous work ethic has made Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc. one of the most sought-after and successful heavy contractors in the United States.

He is known for his remarkable history of community leadership and generous philanthropy. His unique mix of boundless energy, optimism, drive, and get-the-job-done attitude are why he is continuously sought after for his advice and leadership. From supplying antique cars for town parades, building stage sets for a children’s theater, repairing schools and churches to raising millions of dollars for the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center as well as his service on numerous boards and organizations, Joe is a true philanthropist at heart. He cares deeply about children and works tirelessly to create a better, healthier and prosperous world for them. Joe enjoys spending time with his family and is the proud father of four and grandfather to seven beautiful grandchildren.