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Board Member Spotlight
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This is where you have the opportunity to meet our terrific Board Members and learn a little about them.
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John Gustafsson
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Chairman of the Board President of the Staten Island Historical Society |
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John C. Gustafsson is the President and Chairman of the Board at the Staten Island Historical Society, a position he has held for the past 6 years. He is a retired attorney who spends all of his time volunteering with a variety of non-profit organizations.
In addition to serving at Historic Richmond Town, Mr. Gustafsson has brought his expertise to:

- the Historic House Trust of New York City as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors;
- the Devereux Foundation of New Jersey as a member of the Advisory Board;
- the Seton Foundation for Learning as a member of the Board of Directors;
- St. Peter’s RC Church as Chairman of the Parish Council and as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Holy Name Society;
- St. Peter's High School for Girls as a member of the Advisory Council;
- other organizations where he assists more informally as an advisor.

Mr. Gustafsson leads a tour of his own home, a Stanford White original, that he has restored with his wife Mary Beth.
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This year, Mr. Gustafsson has volunteered to act as co-chair of the SI350 commemoration. This yearlong celebration, beginning in 2011, heralds 350 years of settlement, growth and success on Staten Island. Mr. Gustafsson, working together with Dr. Lori Weintrob of Wagner College, is bringing together hundreds of institutions and businesses in a monumental collaboration that will plan and hold events for hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors.
The event reveals the diverse fabric of the Island and highlights its prominence within our municipal and national heritage.
For more information on SI 350 please click here.
Before retiring in 2006, Mr. Gustafsson was a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group of the California-based law firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, where he was the Administrative Partner of the Firm’s New York office. Prior to that, he spent 7 years as in-house counsel at Honeywell International, where at various times he was the chief litigator for the company’s aerospace, transportation and power, and engineered materials businesses. Just prior to leaving Honeywell, Mr. Gustafsson was General Counsel of the $4 billion Automation and Control Products business.
Prior to his tenure at Honeywell, he spent 10 years in private practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett where he focused on major multi-jurisdictional complex litigation.

Mr. Gustafsson with members of the Society's Women's Auxiliary, Pat Ochlan, Helen Gambardella & Elaine Cartigiano.
Mr. Gustafsson is a member of the New York State bar, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York, the District of Arizona, and the United States Supreme Court.
Gustafsson received his B.A. in Philosophy (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Columbia University in 1983 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1987.
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| A first generation American, Gustafsson is a native of Staten Island who grew up in the town of St. George and lives in the West Brighton neighborhood with his wife Mary Beth. He attended St. Joseph Hill Academy grammar school and Msgr. Farrell High School where he was valedictorian in 1980. |
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Robert Coghlan
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Board Member Treasurer
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 Robert Coghlan |
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Bob Coghlan is a very active and engaged Board member and community leader. He serves as Treasurer of the Society and as Chair of the Development Committee. He also Co-Chairs the Richmond County Fair, the Society's signature event and fundraiser.
Bob is Head of Corporate Governance and Controls at BNP Paribas (BNPP), North American, and has held this position since early 2002. He is a Managing Director and a member of the Firm’s Territory Management Team, working directly for the CEO and COO.
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He is also a member of the Organization for International Investment, and He's a Member of the Institute of International Bankers, and a previous voting member of the Securities Industry Association, Operations Division.the International Corporate Governance Network.
Bob lives in the town of Richmond in Staten Island, NY. He is very active in the community. Aside from his work at Historic Richmond Town, he is the Fire Chief of Richmond Engine Company No 1. Bob also serves on the Board of the American Red Cross - NY Chapter, and the FDNY Board. He was recently appointed by the S.I. Borough President to Community Board 3 to further help the local NY community adopt best practices. |
| Bob is a terrific cook and has placed well in competitions. He often cooks for community events. Please see the photos below. |
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Bob recently competed with other FDNY members in the Iron Skillet charity cook-off. Photo by Steve White.
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Ed Wiseman, FDNY Chief Cassano & Bob Coghlan at the Iron Skillet cook-off. Photo by Steve White. |
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| Bob and helpers at a dinner for volunteers at Historic Richmond Town. |
Rose Bruno of the Women's Auxiliary celebrates with Bob at Historic Richmond Town. |
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Special Events
Fri., March 12, 2010
TAVERN CONCERT-Irish Stout
Sat., March 13, 2010
St. Patrick's Day Dinner Dance
Tue., March 16, 2010
Literacy Leadership Luncheon
Sat., March 20, 2010
TAVERN CONCERT-Triboro
Wed., March 24, 2010
Curator's Private Showing - Doll Collection
Sat., March 27, 2010
TAVERN CONCERT-Point Cross
Sat., March 27, 2010
Easter Egg Hunt
Thu., April 1, 2010
SPRING IN THE VILLAGE
Sat., April 3, 2010
TAVERN CONCERT-Harbortown Review
Thu., April 8, 2010
To Kill a Mockingbird
Fri., April 9, 2010
To Kill a Mockingbird
Sat., April 10, 2010
TAVERN CONCERT-Dirdy Birdies Jug Band
Sat., April 10, 2010
To Kill a Mockingbird
Sat., April 10, 2010
To Kill a Mockingbird
Workshops and Classes
Thu., March 11, 2010
Story Museum
Thu., March 11, 2010
Quilting Class
Sat., March 13, 2010
Story Museum
Wed., March 17, 2010
English Country Dance
Thu., March 18, 2010
Story Museum
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