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Pat Lafontaine

CIC Board Of Directors

To read more information about any of the following Board Members below, please click on their name.



Pat LaFontaine - President

A perennial All-Star in the National Hockey League, Pat LaFontaine was not only a great player, but also a great humanitarian in whatever city he represented. That combination was recognized in 2003 when it was announced that LaFontaine would be the first player inducted into both the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota in the same year.

In 1998, after 15 years in the NHL, Pat retired prematurely as a result of a series of head traumas and concussions suffered through his career. With support and inspiration from family, friends and most of all, the kids in those hospitals, competing not for goals, but for life, Pat drew upon their courage and got through the most difficult time of his life. From that point on, Pat's fight for children took on new meaning and clearly defined where all his time and energy were going to be focused: helping kids through this Foundation.

He lives on Long Island with his wife and 3 children.



Jim Johnson - Executive Director

Mr. Johnson was involved in sales and marketing for the New York Islanders from 1982 through 1995 and initiated a host of successful ticket and promotional concepts. He went on to manage the largest authorized technology training organization in North America (Westcon Services) and served on advisory councils at Microsoft, Novell and IBM. Johnson was an industry leader in the delivery of instructor-led training via satellite and streaming video.

In 1999, while at TEN-TV, he created and managed the online subscription service, www.ExpertsOnDemand.com, a web-based video library of IT content that delivered 'real world' solutions to a global audience of IT professionals.

He served on the CiC Foundation's board of directors for 3 years before joining as executive director in 2003. He holds a degree in Journalism from Morrisville College and lives on Long Island with his wife and son.



Roger Simon - Treasurer

Mr. Simon is a partner at Gibson, McAskill and Crosby in Buffalo. He is a graduate of Brown University, the University of Buffalo Law School and was admitted to practice in 1964. His primary experience is in probate law, estate planning, trusts law, school law, and education law.

He is a member of the Financial Planning Counselors of Western New York, a trustee of The Park School of Buffalo, a member of Estate Analysts of Western New York, and a fellow of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He lives in Snyder, NY with his wife.



Richard Pluta - Merrill Lynch

Richard Pluta, Senior Vice President-Investments, has been with Merrill Lynch since 1982. He graduated with a dual degree in Economics and Political Science from Miami of Ohio and the University of Luxembourg. While at Merrill Lynch, Richard has received specialized training from New York University in the options and fixed income markets. Currently, Richard possesses the designations of Wealth Management Advisor and International Financial Advisor.

As a senior partner with The Pluta/Selvin Group, Richard specializes in overseeing the team's institutional asset management, structured products, and alternative investments. In addition, Richard's areas of concentration include Philanthropic and Charitable Organization planning, Pension/Employee Benefits, and Offshore Trust & Investment strategies.



Marybeth LaFontaine

Mrs. LaFontaine has been involved in the foundation since its inception in 1997. She and her husband donated luxury suites at the HSBC Arena for the children of Buffalo and delivered televisions and cable service to the Buffalo Children's Hospital. She also worked with Sabres Wives on many fundraising campaigns during her time in western New York.

She is currently a homemaker on Long Island, raising the couple's three children. She remains involved in community service work on Long Island offering countless hours of service to area food banks and family support centers.



George Ross - The Trump Organization

Mr. Ross is Executive Vice President and Senior Counsel for the Trump Organization. He is the business and legal advisor to Donald J. Trump and a former board member on 'The Apprentice'. He is responsible for development of foreign investments and supervision of leasing and operation of 40 Wall Street, as well as the Trump Tower. He is also responsible for all licensing, promotion and marketing of Trump products, including Trump Ice. He has been with the Trump Organization since 1996 but has been associated with Donald Trump for many years. Mr. Ross is also an adjunct professor of the New York University School of Professional Studies and Continuing Education where he currently teaches a course in negotiation.

He and his wife, Billie, are very supportive of the work of the CiC Foundation having helped fund the inaugural Lion's Den Room at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Westchester, NY in 2005. In 2010, Mr. Ross was recognized with the CiC Foundation's 'Pioneer Award' at the foundation's annual Golf Classic.



Jerry Wood - Morgan Stanley

Mr. Wood is a managing director in charge of executive recruiting at Morgan Stanley. He served at the firm from 1978 until joining Credit Suisse First Boston in 2003 as global head of fixed-income investments. He returned to Morgan Stanley last year at the urging of his colleague CEO, John Mack. Wood has a masters degree in business from New York University. He and his wife Monica have been extremely supportive of the work of the CiC Foundation and helped fund the Lion's Den Room at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian.



Dr. Sean Levchuck - St. Francis Hospital

Sean G. Levchuck, M.D., is the Director of Pediatric Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital and also a partner at Pediatric Cardiology of Long Island. He has served as an Attending Physician at St. Francis from 1995 to 2003. He was also a Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics at Temple University School of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and has co-authored articles for the American Journal of Physiology, Pediatric Cardiology and Circulation.

Dr. Levchuck has donated his talent to treat more than 500 children through the Gift of Life program. He has provided life-saving treatment for children from around the world who are brought to this country with serious heart conditions. The program ensures that there is no cost to the patient or family for travel, treatment or accommodations.



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