Quantcast

Katz, de Blasio appoint two new library trustees

By Alex Robinson

Two more new members have joined the Queens Library board of trustees.

Borough President Melinda Katz and Mayor Bill de Blasio filled two vacancies last week, appointing Dr. Lenore Gall and James Haddad, respectively.

The two lawmakers removed eight trustees in July after the board refused to oust the nonprofit’s embattled president, Thomas Galante.

A law recently passed by the state Legislature gave Katz and de Blasio new powers to fire board members before the end of their terms if they fail to “satisfactorily perform their duties.”

Gall, who previously served as a trustee at the library, is a retired college administrator who most recently worked as a dean at CUNY’s City Tech from 1994 until 2005.

Before that, she was a vice president of academic affairs at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She had a long career and worked as an administrator at a number of institutions, including Brooklyn College, Yale, NYU and Laguardia Community College.

“Dr. Gall has extensive experience in higher education and had also made major contributions at the NAUW and at other organizations like the Queens Library,” Katz said. “Her intelligence, dedication and commitment to public good are most impressive and will serve the Queens Library and the people of Queens well.”

Gall, who lives in East Elmhurst and is an active community member, was also president of the National Association of University Women from 2002 until 2006. Under her leadership, the organization, which helps disadvantaged women, hosted programs for female students to further their skills in mathematics and science. She also spearheaded projects that educated young people about HIV and pushed elected officials to provide more funding for AIDS research.

She was originally appointed to the board in 2005 and served the nonprofit for 3 years.

Haddad is a longtime Queens resident and attorney who handles commercial litigation and insurance matters. He serves as a fellow for the Center of International Legal Studies and has served as a volunteer with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

He has long provided pro bono legal services to residents of Forest Hills, where he lives.

Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobi‌nson@‌cnglo‌cal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.