OUR TEAM
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
BRIAN WEINBLATT, PH.D.
Brian Weinblatt, founder of Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions, specializes in college mergers, drawing on his experience from the University of Toledo's merger with the Medical University of Ohio. His expertise, rooted in doctoral research on decision-making in university mergers, positions him as a sought-after consultant and media expert in this field.
SENIOR CONSULTANTS
MARK B. DEFUSCO, PH.D.
Mark, with a diverse career in education, has held roles as college president, Wall Street banker, and education researcher, notably leading Bay State College and engaging in major educational transactions.
GUILBERT HENTSCHKE, PH.D.
Gib is a former senior adviser at EY-Parthenon, and is dean emeritus of the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.
BETSY HOFFMAN, PH.D.
Betsy, with extensive experience in university administration, notably managed the strategic 2004 consolidation of the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center as president of the University of the Colorado System.
DANA G. HOYT, PH.D., CPA
Dana retired as the thirteenth president of Sam Houston State University, led merger efforts as the Vice President at the University of Colorado at Denver and led developments to add an osteopathic medical school at Sam Houston State University.
KRISTINE SOUTHARD, PH.D.
Kirstine is a seasoned leader in higher education with nearly 30 years of experience, including executive roles in both non-profit and proprietary institutions, specializing in accreditation, mergers, and operational consulting.
LLOYD A. JACOBS, MD
Lloyd A. Jacobs, as President of the University of Toledo, played a pivotal role in the transformative merger with the Medical University of Ohio, creating a new educational and healthcare landscape.
BONITA JACOBS, PH.D.
Bonita Jacobs spearheaded the merger forming the University of North Georgia, serving as its founding president, with prior roles including Executive Director at the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students and Vice President for Student Development at UNT. She has also authored works on higher education mergers and serves on significant educational boards.
CONSULTANTS
KEVIN CAVANAGH
Kevin is an experienced Chief Enrollment Officer in Higher Education with key roles in the Bloomfield College/Montclair State University and Mercy College/College of New Rochelle mergers
LAURA DE VEAU, ED.D.
Laura De Veau, with extensive experience in higher education administration, specializes in mergers and closure management, serving as the VP of Student Affairs during Mount Ida College's closure.
DAVID F. DONNELLY, PH.D.
David, a seasoned higher education leader, played a pivotal role in the complex consolidation of The College of New Rochelle with Mercy College.
JOHNNIE L. EARLY, PH.D.
Dr. Johnnie L. Early is a renowned higher education leader with over 36 years of experience in academic and administrative excellence, significant budget and diversity advancements, and numerous prestigious awards.
MARTINO HARMON, PH.D.
Martino, currently serving as the VP for Student Life at the University of Michigan, played a key role in the University of Toledo's 2006 merger with the Medical University of Ohio.
DONALD E. HELLER, ED.D.
Don Heller is the retired Provost and VP of Academic Affairs at University of San Francisco and played a crucial role in negotiating three potential university acquisitions.
AUBREY HINKSON
Aubrey, a seasoned marketer in higher education, played a key role in branding and marketing strategies during the Augusta University merger and health system unification.
CINDY MCDANIEL
Cindy is an experienced Financial Officer in higher education and currently the Controller at St Peter's University. She played a key role in the Bloomfield College/Montclair State University merger, serving as Bloomfield's CFO.
TRAVIS SMITH
Travis, an athletic compliance administrator, specializes in NCAA membership requirements and understands the reclassification process in higher education mergers and institutional changes.
MARK WAGONER
Mark Wagoner, a former Ohio Senator and current legal professional, played a crucial role in the legislative process of the 2006 merger between the University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio.
JONATHAN WEXLER, ED.D.
Dr. Jonathan Wexler, vice president for enrollment management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, leads enrollment strategies and financial aid oversight, with a focus on increasing diversity and institutional growth.
SHEILA WOOTEN
Sheila Wooten is currently Dean of Students and Director of Athletics at Bloomfield College. She has been highly influential on the success and direction of Bloomfield Athletics where she guided their successful entry into the NCAA.
RESEARCH & ADMINISTRATION
RICK BURCHFIELD
Rick, with extensive higher education experience, played a key role in Bloomfield College's merger with Montclair State University and excels in digital marketing, content marketing, and data analysis.
NOREEN RYAN
A seasoned higher education administration professional, Noreen’s experience includes operational roles at Iona College, The College of New Rochelle, Manhattan College, and LIM College.
DREW CALLOW
Drew is skilled in data-driven strategy, with a focus on higher education's economic impact. He holds an MPA and BGS from Arizona State and Wichita State University, respectively.
LUKAS WENRICK, M.ED.
Lukas Wenrick, with a Master's in Higher Education from Harvard, has a deep understanding of the complexities of college mergers, informed by his experience in writing a case study on Wheelock College's successful merger with Boston University.
MICHAEL ESPOSITO
Mike brings valuable experience in scaling businesses, sales, and project management, complemented by his work at Procter and Gamble.