Franklin Cummings Tech Board of Trustees Elects Two New Members

August 18, 2023

Franklin Cummings Tech has selected two new additions to its Board of Trustees—John F. Donohue and Dr. Chris Jones—who will strengthen the nonprofit college’s mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement for students across the Commonwealth. These individuals join an already robust board representing diverse industries who are dedicated to nationalizing Franklin Cummings Tech’s leadership, expanding educational offerings, and successfully guiding its move to Roxbury’s Nubian Square.

John F. Donohue is the co-founder of Arbella Insurance Group, where he has served as chairman, president, and Chief Executive Officer of the company since they began in 1988. Donohue’s leadership has led Arbella to become a recognized leader in New England’s property and casualty insurance industry. Donohue also serves as chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation, which was launched in 2005. Since then, the Foundation has donated more than $40 million to local charities. In 2020, Donohue and Arbella’s board of directors voted to fund the Foundation’s Social Justice Initiative, which helps people in regional communities gain more equitable access to housing, food, clothing, education, and employment. Donohue was formerly a partner of the private law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo. Before that he served as Chief of the Insurance Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and as Deputy Chief and Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. Throughout his career, Donohue has worked to address many of the complex challenges facing communities across New England. He currently serves as an advisor to the Greater Boston YMCA and the Rian Immigrant Center. He is a graduate of George Washington School of Law.

Dr. Chris Jones was the 2022 Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas, the first African American to be nominated Governor by a major political party in Arkansas. With graduate degrees in nuclear engineering and urban planning and 20 years of experience in energy, infrastructure, community development, and business, Jones has used his background to advance innovation and entrepreneurship. He has led and participated in projects in engineering, physics, and urban planning, including a study on the future of nuclear power. Prior to his run for Governor, Jones was the executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub where he helped dozens of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses and created programs that trained thousands of Arkansans on various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics. Dr. Jones has served on several boards of directors and spent one year teaching in the Boston public school. During his time as assistant dean for graduate education at MIT, Jones led efforts that doubled minority enrollment and more than tripled minority applications to MIT graduate programs. Dr. Jones holds five degrees, math and physics bachelor’s degrees from Morehouse College, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT.

“Franklin Cummings Tech is delighted to add two proven leaders to our Board of Trustees with John and Chris, both of whom bring a winning combination of national experience and local Boston ties to the college,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, President and CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. “Their expertise and industry insights will greatly support the next iteration of our 115-year-old vision to train students for high-paying, generational wealth-creating careers in the technical and trade industries.”

The new trustees join the Board of the newly rebranded Franklin Cummings Tech as the college is preparing to move into a new state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, launch an associate’s degree program in biotechnology, and develop additional courses for its new Center for Energy Efficiency and the Trades; all aligned with expanding the college’s focus of building a workforce required to fill jobs in growing clean tech, renewable energy, and sustainable construction industries.

“Bringing these two trustees to our Board signifies the fruitful expansion of the college’s mission, vision, and impact on the expanding workforce demand in clean energy, computer science, automotive, and other technical and trade industries,” said Turahn Dorsey, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Their experience in entrepreneurship, community building, and engaged citizenship bring a new spark to Franklin Cummings Tech’s vision of developing diverse tech talent for our region and helping graduates thrive by building generational wealth.”

Serving 47 percent first-generation students and 76 percent students of color, Franklin Cummings Tech’s programs are focused on skill-building in areas that have strong workforce needs. Through collaborations with key corporate partners and industry experts, Franklin Cummings Tech has developed flexible, affordable, and entrepreneurial curricula to pair career-ready students with job opportunities in evolving industries in sustainability and green jobs.