David Galla ’99 Named President of Alumni Association’s Board of Directors

A member of the Department of Athletics’ Hall of Fame, Galla is a vice president at People’s United Bank.

June 27, 2018

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

David Galla ’99 begins his two-year term as president of the Alumni Board of Directors on July 1. The vice president of business banking and relationship manager at People’s United Bank, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University.

Galla has fond memories of his time as an undergraduate, and he believes the academics and his participation in athletics prepared him for success. The University played a key role in starting his career at People’s United Bank as he landed his first interview with the bank during a University of New Haven career fair.

Galla says many of his favorite memories as a student were his experiences on the baseball team. After transferring from Marietta College following his first year, Galla played multiple positions during his three years as a Charger. The second baseman for the 1989 Trumbull Little League World Series champions, Galla was inducted into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.

"As an athlete, I learned how to balance my sports life and my academic life, and in today’s world, it is important to learn how to find balance. As part of a team, you’re part of a family. That stays with you forever." David Galla ’99

Whether he is speaking to a business class or engaging directly with students, Galla finds great meaning in his involvement with his alma mater. While interacting with students, he is reminded of his own opportunities and experiences at the University, and he wants to do his part to give back to help students succeed.

"I can see the University continuously improving the student experience and engaging alumni in more ways than what is thought of historically as engagement," said Galla, who lives in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife, Traci, and their two sons, Cole and Sean. "Working with the students is the best part of this engagement."

As president of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, Galla plans to focus on increasing the Board’s visibility, engagement, and marketing efforts. He also hopes to increase alumni engagement, especially in advance of the University’s Centennial in 2020. He believes this milestone will be an opportunity for alumni to share their stories and to return to the campus to see the University’s progress.

"Alumni have so many successes to celebrate – collectively and as individuals. Sharing these stories can benefit alumni and students and ultimately help the University grow." David Galla ’99

Galla’s predecessor, Nyle Davey ’76 M.A., ends his term as Board of Directors president on June 30.