Saint Joseph’s Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees

Saint Joseph’s University will welcome three new members to its Board of Trustees, effective immediately. John Herman, MBA, FACHE; Pedro A. Rivera, MEd; and D. Michael Wege, MBA; each began a four-year term following the completion of the University’s merger with Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences earlier this month.

“John, Pedro and Michael bring a wealth of industry experience and global perspectives to Saint Joseph’s University and the board,” says President Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD. “Their expertise in healthcare, business and education is complementary to our mission and vision for growth, and their knowledge of and connections to south central Pennsylvania will serve our community well as we embark on our next chapter in Lancaster.”

John Herman, MBA, FACHE, is the chief executive officer of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health (LG Health). He provides executive leadership for the LG Health system, from its hospitals and suburban and downtown outpatient pavilions, to its physician network and major service lines. Herman is also responsible for ensuring that the services delivered by LG Health are consistent with the organization's mission and accessible to all people in the communities they serve. 

Prior to joining LG Health in 2021, he served as chief executive officer of the north shore region for the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana, and as chief operating officer for the system's flagship Ochsner Medical Center. He previously held various leadership roles within the Catholic Health System in western New York, including chief operating officer for two of the system's hospitals. 

Herman earned his bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and his MBA from the University of Buffalo. He is a member of the board of directors for the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, as well of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. 

Herman was recently an honoree for City & State's 2023 Health Care Power 100.

Pedro A. Rivera, MEd, is the president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Thaddeus Stevens College in 2020, Rivera served as Pennsylvania Secretary of the Department of Education, having been appointed by Governor Tom Wolf and confirmed unanimously by the state Senate in 2015. 

He previously served as superintendent of the School District of Lancaster; was a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and executive director for the School District of Philadelphia; and was a staff member with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. 

Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and his MEd from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. He serves on numerous boards, including Community First Credit Union, Economic Development Corporation of Lancaster County, Lancaster County Community Foundation, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, WITF Public Broadcasting, the Aspen Institute K12 Climate Action and The Hunt Institute. He previously served as president of the Council of Chief State School Officers’ Board of Directors and was a member of President Joe Biden's educational transition team.

In September 2014, Rivera was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for his efforts to transform urban education with his holistic approach to student success.

D. Michael Wege, MBA, retired from The Hershey Company’s executive team in 2018. Prior to his retirement, he served as the company’s chief administration officer, which incorporated roles including U.S. president; chief growth officer; chief marketing officer; head of corporate strategy; head of India, AMEA, Mexico, Brazil and Latin America; and head of corporate communications and CSR. Before his tenure as CAO, Wege served as chief growth and marketing officer, chief commercial officer and senior vice president global chocolate. Prior to joining Hershey, Wege held a variety of leadership positions in brand management and marketing at Procter & Gamble Co.

Wege earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Iowa State University and his MBA from Northwestern University. He is a member of the board of trustees at Fulton Theatre; Listrak; Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; and at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, where he is also the chair for the regional planning committee and serves on the finance, audit and patient care committees. He also serves as independent director at Honey Stinger in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

In 2014, Wege was named one of Forbes' 50 Most Influential CMOs.