For Immediate Release—Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006

Contact:

Mary E. McCrank

Media Relations Officer

(585) 245-5516

Anthony Hoppa Named Assistant Vice President for Communications at SUNY Geneseo

GENESEO, N.Y.—Anthony T. Hoppa of Charlotte, N.C., has been appointed assistant vice president for communications for the State University of New York at Geneseo. He will join the college Nov. 30.

Hoppa, a native of Western New York, has served as associate vice chancellor for university relations for The University of North Carolina at Charlotte since 2001. In that role, Hoppa managed a 10-member team charged with strategic public relations and marketing for UNC Charlotte and directed communications for the first confidential search for a chancellor. He also served as university spokesperson; oversaw department administrative functions including budgeting, personnel management and technology; and represented UNC Charlotte on the UNC System's Communications Council.

Prior to that, Hoppa served as vice president and senior communications officer for First Union Corporation (Wachovia) in Charlotte and as director of communications for Queens University in Charlotte.

He will bring with him to Geneseo a wealth of experience in the higher education and corporate communications fields, according to Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl. "Simply put, Tony Hoppa is a consummate professional in all aspects of communications and public relations. We are fortunate indeed to have persuaded him to join us at Geneseo. Not only will our college community enjoy working with him, but he is the right person at the right time to tell the Geneseo story to regional and national audiences. He understands our mission and knows Western New York, but at the same time has a good grasp of higher education nationally. I am looking forward to working directly with him on a daily basis."

At Geneseo, Hoppa will oversee a department of communications and design professionals who handle media relations and write, design and produce the college's internal and external communications vehicles including publications, press releases, brochures and online news magazines. He will work to advance the national reputation of Geneseo, as the College continues to garner recognition in national publications, as well as foster relationships with local and regional press.

"I am delighted to return to my home state of New York and join the Geneseo team," said Hoppa, a Gowanda native. "Geneseo's star is rising as a premier liberal arts college, and I'm excited to help play a role to make sure it shines brightly in New York – and across the country. I look forward to working with President Christopher Dahl, Vice President Debra Hill and many talented colleagues to enhance the sterling reputation of this college. I appreciate the vote of confidence the search committee has placed in me, and even though it's the beginning of winter, I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

Hoppa earned his bachelor's degree in communication arts and literature from Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., and his master's degree in communications from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. In addition, he received a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from UNC Charlotte's Master of Public Administration program in 2005. Hoppa, accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America, also served as president of the Charlotte PRSA chapter in 1994.

He began his career in Pittsburgh, where he worked in the corporate communications and public relations/advertising agency fields as a writer, community relations coordinator and account executive. Hoppa then moved to Charlotte, where he held positions as director of client services for Epley Associates, Inc. Public Relations; public information supervisor for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; and manager of internal communications and public relations for John Deere Consumer Products.

In his career, Hoppa has been recognized with professional awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the International Association of Business Communicators for various communications programs and writing.

Hoppa and his wife, Jill, have two sons: Jake, 8, and Jerry, 5.

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