Saint Leo University’s governing board is a group of volunteers who exemplify the university’s six core values. They all generously give their time, talent, and treasure to enhance the education that our students receive. This year, three board members have completed their terms, and we thank them for their service.
Anthony J. Borrell Jr. has strong ties to Saint Leo. His father attended Saint Leo College Preparatory School for the sixth through eighth grades, and the Borrell Family Foundation has endowed a scholarship with the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay in honor of his mother, Mrs. Z. G. “LLa LLa” Borrell, for the benefit of a Saint Leo student-athlete. Borrell served on the Saint Leo Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2017, and offered wise counsel on the Business Affairs Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, is a lifelong resident of Tampa, FL, and is president of Wilbey Industrial Service Corporation, an investment company. In addition to his work at Saint Leo and the family foundation, Borrell is active on other boards, including the University of Tampa and Y-NOT, LLC. He is active with the Egypt Temple Shrine, the American Legion, the Economic Club of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, the Tampa Chapter of the American Council of Foreign Relations, and the Florida West Coast Business Hall of Fame.
Dennis M. Mullen ’76 served on the Saint Leo Board of Trustees over the course of 20 years, including two terms as chair (2007–2009 and 2015–2017). In recognition of his dedication to Saint Leo, in April 2017, the university awarded him an honorary degree, as well as the Marion Bowman Distinguished Service Medal. He is president of the Mullen Group, LLC, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo College. Other highlights of his career include his roles as president and CEO of Birds Eye Foods and other food companies, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester (NY) Enterprise, and chairman and CEO of Empire State Development. A resident of Rochester, NY, he has served on boards of directors for B&G Foods, Foster Farms, Karma Beverage, McQuaid Jesuit High School, and other organizations.
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch ’97 served as the bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL, for nearly 21 years before retiring in late 2016. During his time as bishop, he expanded the reach of Catholic Charities—including the creation of Pinellas Hope, a Catholic Charities initiative for the homeless—and oversaw nearly $300 million in construction projects. He earned his M.Div. from Pope John XXIII National Seminary and was honored by Saint Leo with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Now a trustee emeritus, he lent his expertise to the Academic Affairs Committee.
We are pleased to announce one new member to the board.
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL, has joined the university’s board of trustees, effective July 1. He was ordained a priest on June 26, 1999, and installed as the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg on January 4, 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, as well as a Sacred Bachelor of Theology degree and a Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Bishop Parkes also serves on the board of directors for Catholic Relief Services; the board of trustees for St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and St. John Vianney College Seminary; the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Budget and Finance Committee; the USCCB Native American Affairs Subcommittee; and the Table Foundation Board.