As Albright College continues to move boldly forward in its institutional turnaround, we are pleased to welcome both new energy and familiar returning commitment to the Board of Trustees. At its June 6 meeting, the Board affirmed the appointment of nine new members, each of whom will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2028.
This distinguished group includes individuals who are new to Albright governance, as well as returning trustees who believe deeply in the future and the potential of Albright. Their combined expertise and dedication to the College’s mission reflect a shared commitment to student success, academic excellence, and long-term sustainability.
The addition of these new trustees marks another step forward in Albright’s strategic transformation—bringing fresh perspectives, valuable experience, and strong support as we continue to position the College for a thriving and innovative future.
Kristen Bachman is an executive at Bachman’s Roofing, Building & Remodeling LLC, based in Wernersville, PA. Through her work, she leads the organization’s philanthropic efforts to support local charities and community initiatives. Bachman is also a co-owner of Bachman’s Management, which manages six local businesses, including BGone Waste, Keath HVAC and Bachman’s Construction.
John T. Baily ’65 retired as president of Swiss Re Capital Partners in 2002. Earlier in his career, he was employed for 34 years by PricewaterhouseCoopers, for which he worked as a partner for 23 years and led their national insurance industry practice. A 1965 graduate of Albright, Baily earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1979 and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Albright in 2015. First elected to the board in 2002, he is a past board chairman and was named emeritus trustee chairman in 2014. Baily, from Farmington, CT, was a 2013 recipient of the Jacob Albright Award and the commencement speaker at Albright’s 2010 winter graduation.
Robert M. Ford ’81 is a retired partner with Ernst & Young, Philadelphia, having worked for the company since earning his Albright degree in 1981. During that time, he worked at its national office in New York and was managing partner of its Harrisburg office. An Albright board member from 2014 to 2023, Ford served on multiple committees. While at Albright, he played on both the men’s basketball and golf teams. Ford was inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Conference Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, the Berks County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, and is a member of Albright’s Men’s Basketball All-Century Team.
Simon K. Foster ’10 is Healthcare Industry Marketing Manager for LyondellBasell in Houston, a role he accepted in 2025 after serving 15 years as a leader in global marketing for BASF. While an Albright student, he completed an internship in Singapore before earning his bachelor’s degree in 2010, followed by his MBA from the University of Texas in 2016. Foster was a Pi Kappa Phi honoree for its 30 Under 30 Award and served on the Albright Young Alumni executive committee from 2012 to 2016.
Jack R. Gombach ’14 is managing director and COO for the City of Reading, a role he began in 2024 after working as a government affairs and grassroots advocacy consultant for Lancaster law firm McNees, Wallace & Nurick. A former West Reading Borough council president, Gombach has served on multiple boards in Berks County, including Reading Area Community College, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Berks Biomedical Innovation Collaborative, Berks County Municipal Authority, and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation.
Charles E. “Chuck” Holland ’66 is an executive consultant for CEH, since his 2017 retirement as vice president of corporate development for Therapeutics Inc. Previously in his career, he held senior director roles for Elan Pharmaceuticals, G.D. Searle Company and Glaxo Dermatology. A member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Holland earned his Ph.D. in physiology and endocrinology from Rutgers University in 1974 and his B.S. in biology at Albright in 1966. He completed National Institutes of Health post-doctoral fellowships in biochemistry at St. Louis University Medical School, and in pharmacology and cardiothoracic surgery at University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago.
Dawn M. James ’88 is an advisor with Sequel Solutions, an AI-driven career consulting firm. Prior to her current role, James worked for more than 30 years in key risk management leadership positions for Vanguard. A featured speaker at the 2020 Nicsa Strategic Leadership Forum, she is a past board member for Brandywine Health Foundation, serving as chair from 2015 to 2017. After earning her B.S. in business in 1988 at Albright, she received her MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.
Christ G. “Chris” Kraras ’69 is president and CEO of several companies, including White Star Travel and Timberline Investment Group. Kraras is a current board member for the Reading Education Foundation, and a former member for many organizations, such as Pennsylvania’s Americana Region, Fulton Bank, Berks Encore, the United Way of Berks County and Berks Arts Council. Active at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Kraras has served as Sunday School director and teacher, choir member and received a national honor for remarkable service. He earned his B.A. in History at Albright, and his master’s in education, with a concentration in Political Science, at Kutztown University. An Albright trustee from 1997 to 2017, he chaired the executive committee for the That Their Light May Shine Campaign from 2010 to 2017 and received The Jacob Albright Award in 2005.
Karen A. Rightmire ’69 is the chief strategy officer and a former president of the Wyomissing Foundation in Reading. A board member for the Highlands at Wyomissing, Reading Hospital Foundation, and the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, she is a past president of the United Way of Berks County and has served on the boards of Tower Health and Tompkins VIST Bank. Rightmire was elected trustee emerita in 2015, after having served on Albright’s board from 1994 to 2008 and 2009 to 2015. After her board term ended, she remained a co-vice chair of the executive committee for the That Their Light May Shine Campaign until its 2017 conclusion. A 2009 Jacob Albright Award recipient, Rightmire received an honorary degree from Albright in 2017 as well as many community service awards for her dedication to the Berks County region.