Board of Trustees
Dr. Anthony R. Pasqua
President
Dr. Anthony Pasqua, the President of the Children’s Leukemia Research Association, has a special connection to leukemia. Forty years ago, his young daughter was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. With just a 1% chance of survival, she was treated with chemo and a bone marrow transplant and survived.
In his own words, “My wife and I are blessed to have 12 healthy grandchildren ranging in age from 8 months to 19 years old. As a result, I‘m committed as a Board Member of CLRA because one of its objectives is to financially help children suffering from blood cancer. While helping patients in need, CLRA also provides scientific research grants to help find a possible cure for leukemia.”
Dr. Pasqua earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Iona College and master’s degree in public administration from Marist College. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He retired as a Brigadier General from the New York Army National Guard after 32 years of service.
He also has over 30 years of experience in the business community. He recently retired as an independent Financial Planner with Integrated Financial Partners, Inc., offering advisory services through LPL Financial, a broker/dealer (member SIPC), and a registered investment advisor. *IFP is not an affiliate of LPL Financial. His area of concentration was in Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Family Legacy Planning, and Charitable Gifting.
Pasquale “Pat” Alesia
Vice President
Civilian Education: Attending City College of New York, received MS/Ed Administration/Supervision (1978), MS/Teacher of Children with Retarded Mental Development (1975), BA/Psychology (1969)
Civilian Experiences: Worked for the NYC Board of Education for 30 years as a Special Ed Teacher, Special Ed Coordinator, Special Ed Supervisor, and Home Instruction Supervisor.
Source of Commission: Army ROTC, City College of New York 6 June 1969
Military Education: While on active duty from Sep’69-Nov’72, attended Infantry Officers Basic Course, Abn Sch, Ranger Sch, Air Movement Sch, JumpMaster Sch, Military Assistance Training Sch, and Defense Language Institute Sch. While serving in the New York Army National Guard for 27 years, attended Field Artillery AOC, Command and General Staff Sch, and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks.
Military Service: Served 3 years on active duty: 13 months with the 82d Abn Division and 11 months with MACV Advisory Tm3 Hue, Vietnam. Upon discharge in 1972, accepted a NYARNG Commission as Cpt. During the next 27 years. Served as FA Officer in the following assignments: Hq’s Btry Cdr, Firing Btry Cdr, Bn Training Officer, FA BN Cdr, and FA Bde Cdr (42d Inf DivArty Cdr). Culminated career in the Guard as the Commandant of the Empire State Military Academy.
Rank Attained: Colonel, as well as rank of Brigadier General on the New York State Retired List.
Military Affiliations: Membership Officer, Nassau County American Legion Vice/Cdr/Champlain, American Legion Post 44, President, 42d Inf” Rainbow “Division Association. Member, Soverign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem. Voyaguer, Voiture 803 of the Forty and Eight. Member, 105th FA Veterans Association. Member, 258th FA Veterans Association.
Civilian Association: President, Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach
Pat and his wife are blessed to have 12 healthy grandchildren ranging in age from 8 months to 19 years old. He is committed to supporting our research efforts and financially helping children and adults suffering from blood cancer.
Carol A. Hassett, Ph.D.
Secretary
Dr. Hassett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education as well as Master of Education, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Psychology. Her Doctorate Degree was awarded from Hofstra University. Dr. Hassett has a private practice in Psychology in Hempstead, NY with a specialty in substance abuse and specialty training in PTSD.
In her own words, “As a psychologist, I noticed that many veterans are becoming afflicted with different types of adult leukemia. It seems like as the disease model is affecting more people in this demographic, we must increase our outreach to them. After all, they fought for us, so we must fight and help them in their time of need.”
Dr. Hassett is a licensed NYC Elementary School Teacher and New York State EMT. She has been an active volunteer for the Malverne Ambulance Corps for over forty-two years and served as Chairman of the Board for over nine years. Dr. Hassett is a former Adjunct Professor having taught statistics and computers for over eleven years at Hofstra University.
She is active in her community, serving as President and Member on the Malverne Public Library Board for over twenty-eight years. She also served as President of the Plaza 230 A Professional Condominium Board for over 11 years. Dr. Hassett was a prior President and current Treasurer of the Nassau County Psychological Association. She also served as President for the 2012-2013 term for the American Legion Auxiliary and is currently the Secretary/Finance Officer and Legislative Chair.
She currently resides in Malverne, NY with her husband John.
John T. Digilio Jr.
Treasurer
“As one matures in life, they realize that with all the positive things and events in which they have been involved, you reach a point when you should and need to pay it forward. While I have not personally, nor within my family, experienced leukemia, the aspect of having young people contract and suffer with the illness is very unsettling. I felt a need to do whatever I can to help combat this disease. The Children’s Leukemia Research Association provides me a vehicle to meet my needs while doing good for others.” – John Digilio, Jr. Treasurer
With more than forty years of experience in the delivery of healthcare, John has served in multiple capacities on behalf of patients, medical facilities, and students. He has serves in management position in voluntary, proprietary, and governmental facilities, including as a hospital administration consultant with the New York State Department of Health.
He has also held a faculty appointment with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. John holds baccalaureate and master degrees and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, and the National Defense University. He served in the military and was retired as a brigadier general. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with palm.
His professional recognitions include listing in Who’s Who in America, the Order of Military Medical Merit, Colonel Gouverneur Morris Citizen Soldier Award, NY; and the Joel T. Boone Award, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS).
His additional board memberships included past chairman, Board of Directors, Long Island Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation; Vice Chairman of the Board, Aviation Technologies LTD; and the national Executive Advisory Council, AMSUS. He is a member of many veterans and fraternal organizations.
Hubert B. Gibbons, Jr.
Trustee
Mr. Gibbons holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from David Lipscomb College and Masters in Education from New York University. In addition, he has completed all the coursework toward a Master of Arts in Church History at New Brunswick Seminary.
He is retired as a Captain from the New York Naval Militia in 2005 after 39 years of federal and state service.
He is presently a member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem: Priory of St. Patrick.