Board of Directors
2026-27 ADEA Board of Directors
Front row, from left: Dr. Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, Dr. Herminio L. Perez, Prof. Marion Manski, Dr. Erin Gross, Alexis Distefano
Back row, from left: Dr. Karen West, Dr. Thikriat Al-Jewair, Dr. Mert Aksu, Mr. Justin Bower, Dr. Matthew Mara, Dr. Todd Ester
Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, D.D.S., M.S.P.H.
Chair of the Board
Herminio L. Perez, D.M.D., M.B.A., Ed.D.
Chair-elect of the Board
Todd V. Ester, D.D.S., M.A.
Immediate Past Chair of the Board
Mert N. Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A., Cert DPH
Board Director for Deans
Justin Bower, M.B.A.
Board Director for the Corporate Council
Erin Gross, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Board Director for Faculties
Marion Manski, M.S., RDH
Board Director for Allied
Dental Program Directors
Thikriat Al-Jewair, D.D.S., M.B.A., M.Sc., M.S., FRCD(C)
Board Director for
Advanced Education Programs
Matthew Mara, D.M.D., Ed.D.
Board Director for Sections
Alexis Distefano
Board Director for Students,
Residents and Fellows
Karen P. West, D.M.D., M.P.H.
President and CEO