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David P. Trainor, an experienced human resources professional and current president and CEO of Emeriti Retirement Health Solutions, has been named vice president for human resources at Boston College. He succeeds Leo Sullivan, who stepped down to transition to a new role as senior advisor to the president.
Trainor spent 14 years in higher education human resources at Iowa State University (ISU) and in the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) before becoming CEO at Emeriti. He will assume his position on Oct. 20.
Since 2013, Trainor has led Emeriti Retirement Health Solutions, a non-profit company that provides retirement health programs and health care administration to more than 50 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Prior to joining Emeriti, he served as associate vice president for human resources at ISU, where he was credited with improving operational efficiency through technology and innovation.
He had previously served as executive assistant to the chancellor and associate vice chancellor for human resources and labor relations at CSUS, which encompasses Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut State universities and serves more than 36,000 students. Prior to working at CSUS, he was associate vice president for human resources at Eastern Connecticut State University.
“David Trainor is a respected and experienced human resources professional with a clear understanding of our academic mission and Jesuit, Catholic heritage,” said University President William P. Leahy, SJ. “He possesses the knowledge, skills and values necessary to enhance our human resources area and continue our longstanding commitment to the personal care of all employees. I look forward to working with him.”
Added Executive Vice President Patrick Keating, “I am pleased that David has accepted our offer to become Boston College’s next vice president for human resources. He has extensive experience in higher education human resources and an understanding of how technology and innovation can strengthen the human resources process. I welcome David to the Boston College community.”
Trainor said he is delighted to become vice president for human resources at Boston College, and humbled to succeed Leo Sullivan, whom he acknowledged as a nationally respected leader in the field.
“I am grateful and honored to be entrusted with this responsibility,” said Trainor. “This opportunity at BC was the only higher education human resources position for which I would leave Emeriti. The impact that Boston College has on the world, its focus on the formation of its students and the commitment of its faculty and staff are aspects that are very attractive to me.”
Trainor received a bachelor of arts degree in history from the College of the Holy Cross and a law degree from New England School of Law. He is active in several professional associations, having served on the national board of directors of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, and the board of directors of the Society of Higher Education Senior Human Resources Executives, and as a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. An attorney, he is also a former member of the Labor and Employment Division of the Massachusetts Bar Association.
A father of three, he lives in Tolland, Conn., with his wife Darlene. He has served on the local board of education in Tolland, where he also coached youth football.