Press release: Two alumni join Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Board of Trustees
Teaneck, NJ – (October 1, 2019) Fairleigh Dickinson University is pleased to announce two University alumni joined its Board of Trustees for a three-year term. The new trustees include commercial real estate executive, David Knee and financial management executive, Robert J. Zatta.
“I am honored that these two accomplished alumni are joining the Board of Trustees, I look forward to working with them over the next few years as we make a profound impact on the future of Fairleigh Dickinson University,” said President Christopher A. Capuano.
David Knee is a Vice Chairman in the Northeast Region (including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) at JLL, and is responsible for overseeing the growth of the industrial practice group throughout New Jersey. Knee has been with JLL since 2007 and has served in a variety of roles including the practice leader for JLL’s 3PL vertical.
Prior to joining JLL, Knee was a principal and executive vice president at Klatskin Associates, which was acquired by JLL in 2007.
Knee formerly served as secretary for the Industrial Real Estate Brokers Association of the New York Metropolitan Area (IOREBA). He is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).
Knee co-chaired the FDU Annual Fund in 2005, was the guest speaker for the 2006 Rothman Institute Recognition Dinner, served on two FDU Presidential Advisory Boards, and also on the steering committee of FDU NOW, the University’s last capital campaign. For the past two years, he has chaired FDU’s Charter Day Dinner Committee.
In March of 2004, NJBIZ magazine recognized Knee as one of the Top Executives in the 40 under 40issue. Knee is a 12-time top gun at JLL.
Knee earned his B.A. in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Robert J. Zatta has experience in financial management, corporate development, and strategic planning. Zatta recently served as an Independent Director at Nexeo Solutions, Inc. and Innophos Holdings, Inc.
Previously, Zatta served as the Chief Financial Officer of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., a publicly-traded specialty chemicals company, from 2001 until 2015, when Rockwood Holdings, Inc. was acquired by Albemarle Corporation. From 2014 until 2015, he also served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Prior to joining Rockwood, Zatta spent twelve years with the Campbell Soup Company, where he held several significant financial management positions, including his final position as Vice President responsible for Corporate Development and Strategic Planning. Prior to joining Campbell Soup Company in 1990, he worked for General Foods Corporation and Thomas J. Lipton, Inc.
Zatta is a member of the Supervisory Board at CeramTec GmbH. He serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business and he is a former member of the Board of Trustees at Merrimack College.
Zatta earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Merrimack College and an M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
About Fairleigh Dickinson University
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson is New Jersey’s largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, visit FDU.edu.