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Meet the Candidates for the 2025-2026 Executive Committee
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“I welcome the challenges ahead and am confident that the leadership experience I’ve gained throughout my professional life will serve us well.”
Kimberly R. Wright, DMD, MAGD, became involved in organized dentistry during her time as a dental student in the mid-1980s and never looked back. The moment she received her license, she became involved in organized dentistry in a wide variety of areas and roles, from committee member to committee/council chair to trustee in the Oregon Dental Association.
Actively participating in many Oregon AGD study clubs, Wright became a known entity and was asked to join the Oregon AGD board. It’s here where her most passionate journey in organized dentistry truly began. Her involvement at the constituent level has been extensive — she has been involved in every aspect of Oregon AGD leadership and at one time was the interim executive director during an emergent need.
ut her involvement in what has become the Oregon AGD Foundation Center education facility is, hands-down, her most joyful and satisfying accomplishment. Alongside a small, committed group, Wright helped raise $1 million in donations and another $1 million in donated equipment for the 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, which was completed in 2019. Oregon AGD enjoys one of the highest percentages of general dentist members in the country. Wright believes this clearly demonstrates that dentists join AGD primarily because of what the local constituent offers its members.
Wright’s perspective of strong constituents is invaluable to her candidacy for AGD vice president. Her involvement as a delegate and member of several councils, and ultimately chair of the PACE Council, brings knowledge of how important grassroots member voices are in shaping AGD’s growth.
Wright also served on the 2022–23 AGD Budget and Finance Committee. This appointment expanded her knowledge of AGD and the financial health of the organization. Organizational fiscal literacy is a key requisite for all members of the Board but, most particularly, Executive Committee members.
Wright currently serves as AGD secretary. In addition to the duties of secretary, she has educated herself on the aspects of AGD she didn’t have direct experience with as a council member. All aspects of what AGD does are extremely important to its mission and vision — specifically, the issues and challenges that the Legislative & Governmental Affairs and Dental Practice councils manage. Their work to protect our profession as we know it is incredibly important, and she has spent time educating herself about these issues.
Her other significant focus has been on modernizing the policies that govern the Board and its operations. She has led the effort to reorganize and update these documents, specifically the Board Policy Manual. It is a work in progress and will likely take another one to two years to completely renovate. Her leadership in this task has been instrumental.
Wright is married to Dr. Noel Tenoso, a physical therapist. They have two grown daughters who are successful in their own careers. In her rare free time, she loves to travel, cook and garden.
Personal Statement
“My commitment to advancing AGD’s strategic initiatives and strengthening our presence within the profession as well as my deep appreciation for AGD’s unique culture fuel my desire to embrace the stewardship of AGD for the next three years. I welcome the challenges ahead and am confident that the leadership experience I’ve gained throughout my professional life will serve us well.
“My professional track record shows:
- A proven ability to lead through change and see projects through to completion.
- A balance of visionary thinking with practical, detail-oriented planning to deliver meaningful results.
- A thoughtful, data-informed approach to evaluating options.
- A commitment to seeking input from stakeholders to ensure better decisions and stronger outcomes.
“Together, we can ensure AGD not only thrives today but continues to grow into the future.”
“My journey has given me a thorough understanding of AGD’s operations, the importance of clear, transparent communication, and the need to critically listen to our members and staff.”
Joseph A. Battaglia, DMD, MS, FAGD, began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Villanova University in 1973, followed by a Master of Science in biochemistry from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1977. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Dental School in 1979. He completed a general practice residency at Hackensack Medical Center from 1979 to 1980.
Battaglia possesses experience in education, clinical practice and professional service in the field of dentistry.
In his clinical career, Battaglia has maintained his private dental practice in Wayne, New Jersey, since 1983, with prior associate positions in private practice dental offices from 1979 to 1988. He is a clinical associate professor in the department of restorative dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and held similar positions at its predecessor, the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School, since 1986. As dental education director at the UMDNJ Department of Continuing Education from 2004 to 2014, he contributed significantly to dental education. His hospital appointments included Hackensack Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Wayne General Hospital. Battaglia began his career with active research, publishing articles on dental techniques and biochemistry. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise as an editorial adviser for dental journals.
His roles in the testing and licensing community include serving on the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, as a member of the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), on the ADEX board of directors for District 9, and as the chair of the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) East Caucus. Currently, he is active with the AADB, serves as the New Jersey State Dental Board representative to the ADEX House of Delegates, and is a member of the ADEX Quality Assurance and Discipline & Grievance committees. He continues to serve as an ADEX examiner.
Battaglia’s membership and leadership within dental organizations, such as Omicron Kappa Upsilon, New Jersey AGD, and the New Jersey Dental Association, are notable. Battaglia has held numerous leadership and membership positions within prominent dental organizations from 1979 to the present, including at both state and national levels of AGD, the New Jersey Dental Association and the American Dental Association (ADA). His distinguished service includes serving as president of New Jersey AGD, member and chair of multiple AGD councils — including two terms as chair of the Dental Practice Council as well as chair of the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Council — and participation on the AGD Dental Education Council and Professional Relations Committee. He maintains fellowships in AGD, the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. He will be inducted as a Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellow in 2025.
Battaglia served as a general dentist representative on the inaugural National Commission on Specialty Recognition and Certifying Boards, participated in the ADA Elder Care Workgroup and serves as an alternate delegate to the ADA House of Delegates. He presently serves as the AGD trustee from Region 4, New Jersey.
His professional achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, such as the AGD Distinguished Service Award and the Mark Ritz Advocacy Award. He has earned Life Membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, AGD, the New Jersey Dental Association and the ADA.
Married for 45 years to his wife, Debra, Battaglia resides in North Haledon, New Jersey.
Personal Statement
“I am deeply committed to advancing the mission and goals of AGD and supporting the needs of general dentists across the nation and Canada.
“Throughout my career, I have been privileged to serve in significant leadership roles within the AGD, working collaboratively to mentor and promote excellence in dental education, advocacy and patient care. My journey has given me a thorough understanding of AGD’s operations, the importance of clear, transparent communication, and the need to critically listen to our members and staff.
“If elected secretary, I pledge to:
- Maintain accurate and timely records of all AGD meetings and proceedings.
- Foster open lines of communication between the Board, committees, councils, and our valued members and staff.
- Increase transparency and uphold the integrity of our organization’s processes and reporting.
- Advocate for the interests and professional development of general dentists nationwide.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve you, to ensure AGD thrives, and to help guide AGD toward continued growth and success.”
“In reflecting on my own background, it is clear to me that no office is better suited to my abilities or passion than this. Over the years, I have come to recognize that, more than politics, my passion is the process.”Robert M. Peskin, DDS, FAGD, CP-T, was a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. He went on to complete both general practice and dental anesthesiology residencies at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Since 1983, he has maintained a private practice on Long Island, New York, with a focus on treating anxious, apprehensive and special needs patients.
Throughout his career, Peskin has held multiple academic appointments, including in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s Division of Hospital Dentistry at Stony Brook and, most recently, in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
His professional honors are extensive. He earned AGD Fellowship in 1984, followed by fellowship in the American Association of Hospital Dentists in 1989. He is also a fellow of the American College of Dentists (1991), the International College of Dentists (1994) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (1994). His many awards include the New York Section Pierre Fauchard Distinguished Service Award (2010), Stony Brook’s Distinguished Alumnus Award (2012), the New York State Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award (2016) and the Herbert L. Taub Distinguished Service Award from the Nassau County Dental Society (2022).
Education has been central to Peskin’s career. He has taught predoctoral students at Stony Brook, postdoctoral residents at Penn Dental Medicine, and dental hygienists seeking certification in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide at Farmingdale State University. He has lectured nationally on pain and anxiety control at major meetings such as the Hinman, Greater Long Island, Greater New York and the California Dental Association, and, for more than 30 years, has presented extensively on risk management for professional liability insurers.
Peskin has also been a leader in organized dentistry. A member of the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates for 34 consecutive years, he has played a key role in shaping governance at both state and national levels. He has served as speaker of the house for the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and for the New York State Dental Association, where he helped redesign the organization’s governance structure in 2008.
In 2021, he was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates for AGD, where he has worked closely with the Board to streamline procedures and enhance efficiency. Now running for his third and final term, he remains committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the House.
Beyond dentistry, Peskin has dedicated himself to the study and practice of parliamentary procedure. Elected to the American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP) Board of Directors in 2014, he went on to serve as secretary (2016–2020) and vice president (2020–2023), and he is currently president (since 2023). Among his proudest accomplishments are becoming credentialed as a certified parliamentarian in 2021 and earning his “teacher” designation earlier this year.
Personal Statement
“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of participating in countless business meetings — studying their intricacies, observing accomplished presiding officers, and learning from both successes and challenges. These experiences, combined with my years of service as a speaker and parliamentarian, have given me a deep appreciation for the art of presiding and the responsibility it carries. I am confident that this breadth of experience uniquely qualifies me to continue serving as AGD speaker of the house.
“Whenever one contemplates running for office, it is important to ask: What does the office require at this moment, and how well do my skills align with those needs? In reflecting on my own background, it is clear to me that no office is better suited to my abilities or passion than this. Over the years, I have come to recognize that, more than politics, my passion is the process.
“The AGD House of Delegates observes parliamentary rules and traditions. As speaker, it is my duty to interpret them impartially, to maintain order, and to defend the rights and privileges of each and every member. And, while the significance of this task cannot be overstated, it is equally important to be mindful that no set of rules can take the place of tact and common sense. I have found calm insistence — together with a little good humor — are some of the qualities essential to the success of a skilled presiding officer.
“It has been my honor to serve as your speaker of the house for the past four years. If reelected, I pledge to continue facilitating your deliberations with fairness, efficiency and respect — ensuring that the valuable time you dedicate away from your families and practices is both meaningful and worthwhile.”