Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees welcomes three new members

The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees is honored to announce the appointment of three new trustees: Jeff Bruzzese, Dick Dickerson and Paul Stewart. Each trustee brings expertise and commitment that will enable them to make immediate contributions to the Foundation’s mission of “Philanthropy in Service to Education.”

Established in 1945, the Ohio University Foundation is the tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that serves as the repository for all private gifts to OHIO. Through its Board of Trustees, the Foundation engages alumni and friends whose leadership helps shape the University’s future.

“The strength of the Foundation lies in the vision and leadership of its trustees,” said Greg Simmons, president and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation. "Jeff, Dick and Paul bring significant professional accomplishment and deep ties to OHIO to the board. Their guidance will help ensure that philanthropy continues to drive transformative experiences for our students and the University community.”

Jeff Bruzzese, BBA ’94, Ohio University Alumni Association Board Representative

Jeffrey J. Bruzzese is a partner at Bruzzese, Agresta and Hanlin in Steubenville, Ohio, where his practice focuses on civil litigation, including personal injury, business contract disputes and landlord-tenant matters.

Bruzzese currently serves as vice chair of the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors. As a student, he was an active leader on campus—serving as president of Students Defending Students, trustee for the Center for Student Advocacy and a member of the Review and Standards Committee, where he worked with University leadership to update student conduct policies.

After graduating from OHIO in 2000, Bruzzese earned his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in 2004. During law school, he worked with the Honorable Edmund Sargus at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. He began his career in

Columbus practicing personal injury law before returning to Steubenville to join his current firm.

Through his professional work and volunteer leadership, Bruzzese continues to support his community while strengthening the connection between Ohio University and its alumni.

Image

Richard “Dick” Dickerson, BBA ’83, Ohio University Board of Trustees Representative

Dick Dickerson has been a leader in the energy sector for more than four decades. In 1994, he founded Utility Technologies International Corporation, where he continues to serve as chairman and CEO. He is also president and principal partner of Engineered Utility Services, COO of Ross Energy, and a partner at Structured Utility Resources. Most recently, Dickerson has focused on developing solar energy projects in reclaimed strip mine areas of southeast Ohio, expanding his portfolio into sustainable energy solutions.

A registered professional engineer in Ohio, Dickerson earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Ohio University. He was appointed to the Ohio University Board of Trustees in 2022.

Image

Paul Stewart, BBA ’88, Elected Trustee

Paul Stewart built his career in investment management, serving most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Investment Advisers in Cincinnati. Over nearly three decades, he advanced from financial reporting to portfolio management, then to Chief Investment Officer, and ultimately to CEO in 2013. At the time of his retirement in 2022, Gateway oversaw approximately $10 billion in assets under management, specializing in low-volatility equity strategies for risk-conscious investors.

A 1988 graduate of OHIO’s College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Stewart was a member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies. In 2024, he joined the Foundation’s Investment Committee, lending his financial acumen to the stewardship of OHIO’s endowment.

Image