Meet the Co-Chairs

Dr. William J. Pietraface, Professor and Chair of the Biology Department, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Science from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science degree in Biology from East Stroudsburg College, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biology from West Virginia University. Since his arrival on campus in 1979, Dr. Pietraface has taught courses in general biology, general botany, plant physiology, plant growth and development, and human anatomy and physiology. His research interests and publications focus on the metabolism of plant hormones and plant tissue culture techniques.

Dr. Pietraface has been a member of the College at Oneonta Foundation Board of Directors since 2001. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board and Chair of its Advancement Committee.

Among his awards and honors, Dr. Pietraface received the 1986 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and was the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Service Award presented in 2006 by the College at Oneonta Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Ms. Janet Perna ‘70 graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She taught Mathematics in Middletown, New York. In 1974 she joined IBM in San Jose, California, where she held a number of systems programming and management positions. She moved into software product development at the Santa Teresa Laboratory in 1981. When she became Director of Database Technology at the IBM Toronto Laboratory in 1991, she began building IBM’s database business on distributed platforms, including Unix and Windows NT. In 1996 she was promoted to General Manager, assuming worldwide responsibilities for IBM’s information management business, including strategy, product development, marketing, sales and customer support. At the time of her retirement, Ms. Perna was one of IBM Software Group’s highest ranking executives.

Ms. Perna is a member of the boards of directors of Cognos and Deltek Corporations, and is a volunteer with the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. She lives in Stamford, Connecticut, and Incline Village, Nevada.