Philip Danaher Joins HVCC Executive Board

By Nolan Cleary, Managing Editor

Philip Danaher, has been a resident of the area for years. Danaher is an attorney, experienced member of the Rensselaer area and also previously served eight years on the County Legislature, from 2010 to 2018. He is also a graduate of Albany Law School and received his doctorate in 1985, and was admitted to the New York State bar in 1986. 

“We look forward to having Philip Danaher’s expertise and experience on the college’s Board of Trustees and we appreciate his willingness to help move Hudson Valley Community College forward,” said HVCC President Roger Ramsammy.

“On behalf of the entire Hudson Valley Board of Trustees, I’d like to welcome and congratulate Philip Danaher on his appointment to the board,” said Board Chairman Neil Kelleher. “We look forward to working together with him as we continue to serve our Hudson Valley students and the greater Capital Region,” Kelleher said. 

Danaher steps into the position following the passing of former Board member Joseph Kapp. Kapp passed away on August 5, 2020. Danaher will serve out the rest of his term, which runs until 2022. 

Danaher says he was honored by the opportunity to serve. 

“I was approached by the Chairman of the Legislature for Rensselaer County, and he said to me, ‘Given the tragic passing passing of our current Trustee, Mr. Danaher, would you be willing to serve the remainder of that term?’ and I said ‘What an honor. Of course I would’,” Danaher said. 

Danaher says his experiences, as well as his new position bring a new level of experience to the roles. He says his best experience however, was a previous one involving Hudson Valley. Danaher worked with then-President Drew Matanok as the Vice Chair for finance from Rensselaer County. 

“For eight years we worked together, bringing a lot of projects forward. It was just a pleasure getting to know Drew, and working with the Board of Trustees at that time,” Danaher said. Matanok served as President of Hudson Valley Community College from 2005 to 2018. He passed away this past Fall. 

Danaher says he hopes Hudson Valley continues to provide students with the expertise they need to find jobs in the real world. “I love some of the programs that have been instituted over the last five to ten years, where we’re putting out young people who can step into a job at Regeneron or at global factories, good paying jobs, helping our communities, and I look forward that in the future, I look forward to working with R.P.I.,” Danaher said. 

Danaher says the Board of Trustees is also working on maintaining funding for the college, and updating long standing buildings on campus. 

Danaher says one big challenge is the balance between on campus and in person classes. He acknowledges educating students through Zoom is much harder than in a classroom, but also understands the safety issues. 

“This semester, the biggest challenge we’ve faced is just making sure we follow all the necessary protocols to keep our students safe, to keep our staff safe, but to enable our students to be able to pursue their education and goals. It’s not easy.” Danaher said.