Two Appointed Governors of the College
(Fall 2007 Newsletter)
Dieter Huckestein
 A
35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Dieter Huckestein is
president and chief executive officer of Yellowstone Club World
(YCW), overseeing all operations, sales, marketing, and development
of YCW, the world's premier private club. Drawing on its heritage
from the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana, the world's only
private golf and ski community, YCW seeks to replicate at various
locations worldwide the unique vacation and recreational experiences,
secured privacy, and family-oriented social events available at
the Yellowstone Club.
Mr. Huckestein came to YCW after 35 years of service at the Hilton
Hotels Corporation, one of the top three largest hospitality companies
in the world. He most recently served as chairman and chief executive
officer of Conrad Hotels, the global, luxury brand in the Hilton
Family of Hotels, and as president of Hilton Global Alliance, responsible
for all operational aspects of Hilton Hotels Corporation's strategic
alliance with Hilton International. Huckestein also was a member
of the Board of Directors of Hilton Hotels Corporation for 10 years.
Having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel Administration
from Heidelberg Hotel School, Mr. Huckestein was subsequently the
recipient of an academic scholarship at Cornell University's School
of Hotel Administration. He holds a diploma in International Business
from Columbia University and an honorary doctorate degree from Webber
University. He is also a member of the West Coast Ventura-North
Los Angeles Chapter of Legatus, an organization for Catholic CEO's.
Huckestein was the 2006 President of the International Hotel &
Restaurant Association and as the 2004 Chairman of the American
Hotel & Lodging Association. He served on the board of Unified
Western Grocers and was a member of the President's Advisory Council
at California Lutheran University. Huckestein is also the recipient
of the Academy of Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious
award that recognizes outstanding hoteliers for demonstrated leadership
and skill, and for substantial contributions to the global hospitality
industry.
He and his wife, Cecilia, have two married sons and four grandchildren.
Cecilia holds a Masters degree in English literature and a Doctorate
in cognitive and educational psychology from the University of Southern
California. She is an adjunct professor of psychology at California
State University, Los Angeles, and the author of numerous professional
articles. The Huckesteins reside at Lake Sherwood, in Westlake Village,
California.
Mr. Huckestein was appointed to the College's Board of Governors
in May 2007, and sits on its development and campus planning committees.
In speaking of why he was moved to serve the College in this way
he says, "The Church has become so horizontal and community-focused
on both academic and diocesan levels, that I was drawn to the sense
of transcendence that imbues the campus and intellectual life at
Thomas Aquinas College. Catholic holiness abides there."
Scott Turicchi
 Mr.
Turicchi has been in business for 22 years. He graduated from Claremont
McKenna College with a Bachelors degree in mathematics and economics,
and spent the following 15 years in the investment banking industry,
including the last 10 years at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation (DLJ). During his tenure at DLJ, he was responsible
for corporate finance activities, including public equity offerings,
high grade and high yield debt offerings, private equity placements,
and mergers and acquisitions advisory services.
In March 2000, Mr. Turicchi joined one of his clients, j2 Global
Communications, as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development.
In May 2003, he was appointed CFO of the company, and in August
2005, he was elevated to Co-President. His focus is directed to
all regulatory, M&A, and public company matters. j2 Global is
a NASDAQ-listed provider of internet-based messaging and communication
solutions.
Mr. Turicchi serves as a board member of Green Hills Software,
a private company that produces real time operating systems. In
addition, he is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Reed
Institute at his alma mater, Claremont McKenna College. He
and his wife, Lannette, also serve as Trustees of the John Paul
II Cultural Center in Washington D.C. The Turicchis have also been
involved with the North American College in Rome and the Pope John
Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC.
Mrs. Turicchi was active in the entertainment industry for several
years before launching the non-theatrical distribution department
for Dreamworks SKG. In 2000, she co-founded Captive Entertainment,
a distributor of feature films and television products to the non-theatrical
market. She now devotes her time to the couple's three young girls.
In addition, she has recently completed two short subject films
about Pope John Paul II for the John Paul II Cultural Center and
is working on a feature length documentary entitled Poland and the
Papacy.
Mr. Turicchi was appointed to the Board of Governors in May, 2007,
and serves on its finance and development committees. He says of
his involvement with Thomas Aquinas College, "It is a great
honor and privilege to serve on a board that unites so many of my
interests, including love of Church, knowledge, and beauty. I am
deeply proud of the administration, faculty, students, and alumni
for providing an example of how Catholic higher education should
contribute to the overall formation of the person. I hope to be
able to contribute to this vision and example."
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Fall 2007
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