Telecom Executive Gerard J. Caccappolo ’63 to Speak at Manhattan University Graduate Commencement and Receive Honorary Degree
Caccappolo, an alumnus and accomplished senior business executive, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters at Graduate Commencement on May 16, 2025.
Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., Interim President of the 172-year-old Manhattan University, today announced that Gerard J. Caccappolo, an alum of the school and a senior business executive, will deliver the keynote address and receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the University’s Graduate Commencement on May 16, 2025.
Caccappolo, a Bronx native who attended Cardinal Hayes High School, has over 40 years’ experience in executive level management in marketing, product development, sales, and business development. He joined GTS Europe in 1995 as Director of Marketing and Sales, responsible for market and customer segmentation, pricing, and sales strategies. He was named President and CEO of Ebone, a subsidiary of GTS, in 2000 and retired in 2001 after the sale of the company. Prior to this experience, he was Vice President of Marketing and Sales - Europe at Ascom Timeplex, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer and was based in Paris, France. He also held several executive positions at AT&T and Bell Atlantic. He began his telecommunications career at Bell Labs in New Jersey in 1963.
Caccappolo also served as the Chairman of the Concert Artists Guild (CAG), an entity that empowers musicians and launches musical careers that are sustainable, unique, and relevant. He continues to serve CAG as its Treasurer. At Manhattan University, Caccappolo currently serves as an advisor to the Board of Trustees, having served as a member of the Board from 2009 through 2024. He and his wife established the Gerard ’63 & Susan Caccappolo Scholarship to provide financial aid to students of Hispanic origin with preference to inner-city residents.
According to Dr. Bonato, “Jerry has been a staunch and vibrant advocate of Manhattan. In recognition of his many years of service and strong support of the University’s Lasallian Catholic mission, his guidance and wisdom, and his serving as Chair of the Student Life Committee, he was appointed a Trustee Emeritus in June 2024.” Added Caccappolo, “It is a tremendous honor for me to receive this recognition. Manhattan University has long been a part of my life and I am particularly appreciative of the education I received there. I also am so pleased to continue to remain involved in the Manhattan University community.”
Caccappolo received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manhattan University, a master of science degree in electrical engineering from New York University (NYU), and a master of science degree in operations research from Columbia University. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Manhattan and have two grown children.