Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Announces New Chair and Members to its Board of Directors
Jul 25, 2022
(Norwalk, CT) (July 25, 2022) —Fairfield County’s Community Foundation today announced the addition of the Rev. Anthony L. Bennett and Charles Presbury to its Board of Directors and the election of Edwin L. Ford as its new board chair.
The appointments come as the Foundation finalizes a new strategic plan and prepares for the forthcoming retirement of Juanita T. James, its President and CEO.
Ford has been a central figure on FCCF’s Board of Directors since coming on board in 2016. He has previously served as chair of its finance committee and as a member of the audit committee.
Ford brings more than 30 years of financial services experience in capital markets, derivative products, structured investments and risk management. He served in senior positions with Citibank, Merrill Lynch, Swiss Re Financial Services and TMG Financial Products, providing fixed income, equity, municipal finance and foreign currency transactions to institutional clients. Additionally, he is a past Trustee of the New Canaan Country School and served as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Stamford Hospital System.
“The Board of Directors and all members of the FCCF community are working together to ensure that everyone in Fairfield County has the opportunity to thrive,” Ford said. “As the new board chair, my hope is that in five years, we’re able to look back and see that our community has made progress in expanding opportunities for all.”
Ford will lead an Executive Committee with officers including co-chairs Johnna Torsone and Steve Edwards, treasurer Chris Whitney, and secretary Joette Katz.
New board member Rev. Bennett is a pastor, preacher, teacher, and organizer who serves as co-chair of Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut.
He served as president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity, was a former board member of the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County, and past chair of Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition.
Presbury is an adjunct professor at the Jack Welch School of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University with over 30 years of executive experience in senior human resource operations, leadership development, and strategic change.
He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a member of 100 Black Men of Stamford, Columbia University Business Alumni Network, and the College of the Holy Cross Alumni Network.
“The Community Foundation is fortunate to have an outstanding group of community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to help guide our work in ensuring that every person in Fairfield County has an equitable opportunity to thrive,” said Juanita T. James, President and CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. “Anthony Bennett and Charles Presbury will bring new perspectives and expertise to the boardroom and help us carry our work forward in the community.”
The board also includes Justin Beal; Terrence Cheng; Clayton Fowler; Gerald M. Fox, III; Jon Fraade; Michelle K. Garvey; Carolyn Gonzalez; Joel Z. Green; Mindy Houck; Christopher Johnson; Charles MacCormack; Neil R. Marcus; Maya Reddi; Mark Riser; Maya Tichio; and Preston Tisdale.
