Rick Torres

The Washington Trust Co. of Westerly (Investment Management) (WTC-IM) is the asset management division of The Washington Trust Co. of Westerly, a community bank headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. The firm was founded in 1902 and is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: WASH). WTC-IM offers a range of personal and business financial services which includes trust services, investment management services and wealth management services. They manage portfolios for individuals, institutions and ERISA pension plans.

Universitas 21 Ltd. is an international network that brings together 28 leading universities to improve student experience, researcher engagement, and educational innovation through shared excellence, knowledge, and experiences. The private company is based in London, UK. The British company empowers students, researchers, and staff to collaborate across borders and nurture international knowledge exchange.

SAGE Publications, Inc. publishes journals, books and newsletters. It offers reference books, journals, and digital library products. The company was founded by Sara Miller McCune in 1965 and is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, CA.

The College Board provides on-line high school and college educational services. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Part of Ambac Financial Group, Inc., Connie Lee Insurance Co. is an American company that guarantees university construction loans. The company is based in Washington. Connie Lee Insurance was acquired by Ambac Assurance Corp. on October 22, 1997.

Virginia Intermont College, located in Bristol, Virginia, offers the warmth of a small town and the variety of a cosmopolitan area. Surrounded by a Tri-Cities area population of approximately 500,000, their campus of 585 gives students a comfortable atmosphere where close relationships form and flourish. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound with easy access to boating, hiking, rafting, biking and winter skiing. Bristol is the "Birthplace of Country Music," and, as expected, has a lively music scene, including Rhythm and Roots - an annual music festival celebrating the region's musical heritage. Additionally, Bristol became a designated Virginia Main Street community in 2011. Their students are a diverse group with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Students from 26 states and three countries fill VI's campus. A student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 ensures that everyone will know students name. They value uniqueness and individual worth and commit themselves to involving students in their spirit of community. Their students earn real world experience in a diverse array of degree programs from equine studies and photography and digital imaging to legal studies and theatre arts. They focus on intellectual freedom and foster a climate for an open exchange of ideas. Critical thinking, creativity, oral and written communication and cultural appreciation are central to the educational experience. VI strives to create an atmosphere conducive to intellectual, spiritual, aesthetic and professional development.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association provides healthcare insurance services. The firm operates several business initiatives in support of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and represents the Blue System in national forums. It offers insurance products to all segments of the population, including large employer groups, small business and individuals. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association administers intercollegiate sports activities. The company was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.

The Association of American Universities operates as an association of public and private research universities. The non-profit company is based in Washington.

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities & Colleges is an organization that aims to empower higher education boards to govern with confidence. The AGB is based in Washington. The American company provides resources that give important background for higher education boards. The AGB Principles of Trusteeship outline attitudes and actions board members should embody to become highly effective board members. The organization emphasizes the importance of protecting academic freedom and freedom of speech, which are core values in higher education. The business model of higher education is also discussed, as colleges and universities traditionally charged less than the full cost of educating students because they made up the difference through government support and other revenue streams. Henry Stoever has been the CEO of the non-profit company since 2019.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz LLC engages in the provision of technology enabled enrollment and fundraising management services. It offers student retention and completion, professional development, and student success. The company was founded by Albert Ruffalo in 1991 and is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Jefferson Science Associates LLC is a private company that specializes in personal technology products such as personal audio gear and office accessories. The company is based in Newport News, VA and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company has been providing these products since 2005 and are dedicated to delivering the right sound, features, and value to their customers.

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) was founded in 1955 by six visionaries. The non-profit company is based in Boston, MA. NEBHE brings together leaders of education, higher education, government, business, and labor to forge partnerships and advance ideas that enhance the economy and quality of life in the six-state region and around the world. NEBHE works to increase education opportunities for residents and to promote collaboration among the region's colleges and universities to expand access, success, affordability, and the economic impact of higher education.

Southern Regional Education Board is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works with states to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. The organization is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and operates in 15 member states. Its work is funded by appropriations from member states, as well as by contracts and grants from foundations and from local, state and federal agencies.

The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. The organization is based in Washington, D.C. ACE provides services for employers, training providers, colleges and universities, and military and working learners. The organization offers a suite of learning solutions informed by adult, community, and blended learning pedagogies, while its services include evaluation, transcript, and technical assistance for students, employers, and higher education institutions. ACE's research and insights focus on equity-minded leadership, institutional transformation, and student success.

Education Commission of the States provides policy research and analysis. ECS has two flagship electronic publications: e-Clips, a daily roundup of the nation's top education news and e-Connection, a weekly bulletin highlighting state policy trends, new reports, upcoming meetings and events, useful Web sites and ECS news.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Inc. is an independent organization that focuses on restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers. It was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Annapolis, MD.

The Mariners Museum is a non-profit organization which owns and operates a maritime heritage museum. It offers group tours, dining options, food and shopping, and exhibitions such as ship model gallery, international small craft center, age of exploration, a head of its time, and sailor made. The organization was founded by Archer Milton Huntington and Homer L. Ferguson in 1930 and is headquartered in Newport News, VA.

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. functions as a charity foundation. The private company is based in Williamsburg, VA.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. LLC produces and markets moist smokeless tobacco products. Its brands include Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky. The company was founded in 1822 and is headquartered in Sandston, VA.

New England Education Loan Marketing Corp. specializes in social services and investment services.

Echo 360 Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding company which develops software for learning. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Reston, VA.