Endicott Appoints New Board Members

Beverly, MA – President Richard E. Wylie announced today the recent election of three local members to the Endicott College Board of Trustees.  Mirza Cifric, Joseph Grimaldi, and Gayle Piraino were nominated and appointed at the October Board meeting.  

In making the announcement, Dr. Wylie said, “We are pleased to be adding these distinguished members to the Endicott Board of Trustees. With their backgrounds and specific strengths, they will be invaluable in positioning the College for its future. They have a great respect for improving educational priorities and an interest in helping Endicott to be the best it can be. They join us at a time when the College is going through some very exciting and remarkable changes.” 

Mirza Cifric is a serial entrepreneur in the life sciences. Most recently he co-founded AbVitro, Inc., an early-stage biotechnology company, with Dr. George Church of Harvard Medical School.  He serves as the CEO and Director.   

Previously, Mr. Cifric has held positions at Forma Therapeutics, Solmap Pharma, ImThera Medical, and Mercury/Visage Imaging.   

He has been a member of the Endicott College Beverly Board of Advisors for the past two years.  He holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and Harvard Business School Executive education program. 

Mr. Cifric resides in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 

Joseph M. Grimaldi, Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of Mullen, a full-service agency integrating disciplines from creative to digital marketing, public relations, and social influence, media planning and buying, mobile marketing, design, CRM and performance analytics. He was one of the original partners when he joined Mullen nearly 31 years ago and has been CEO of the company since it was purchased by IPG in 1999. Under Mr. Grimaldi’s leadership, Mullen has grown at a compound average annual growth rate exceeding 18% per year, rising from a tiny creative boutique into one of the most highly regarded agencies in the country. Personally, he has been recognized as one of the fifty most influential business people in Boston and recently was inducted into the AdClub Marketing Hall of Fame.   

Mr. Grimaldi is active on numerous boards and is a frequent speaker at industry and client functions.  He received a BBA in marketing and advertising from the City University of New York – Baruch College.   

Mr. Grimaldi resides in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 

Gayle Piraino is the Founder and President of GAP Promotions, LLC, a full-service promotional products agency servicing leading brands in the beverage and food industries. She founded the company in 2006, bringing over 15 years of beverage industry expertise and 23 years of retail experience.  GAP Promotions hires many Endicott interns and seven of the company’s 12 employees are Endicott graduates. 

Ms. Piraino has been a member of Endicott’s Alumni Council for the past two years; she received the prestigious Alumni of the Year Award in 2012; and graduated in 1975 with an Associate of Science degree from Endicott. 

Ms. Piraino resides in Gloucester.