John Hazen White Jr. ’76 has demonstrated extraordinary and sustained service to Williston Northampton School through decades of leadership, vision, and generosity, exemplifying the spirit of the Distinguished Service Award.
Following Williston, John received a bachelor’s in English from College of Wooster and holds an honorary doctorate from Johnson and Wales.
A member of the class of 1976, John has served on Williston’s Board of Trustees since 2004 and has been Chair of the Board since 2016. In this role, he has guided the school through periods of strategic growth, institutional renewal, and long-term planning, helping position Williston for the future. As Board Chair, John has been a tireless advocate for the school’s mission and its people, consistently leading with integrity, clarity of purpose, and deep love for the Williston community.
Under John’s leadership, Williston has undertaken transformative campus and programmatic initiatives, including major residential and campus improvements, the $87 million Williston Builds campaign, and a comprehensive strategic planning process focused on the school’s people, purpose, and continued vitality. A shining example of his commitment to the student experience is the John Hazen White House, a state-of-the-art residence hall which opened in 2018. Designed to serve generations of students and faculty families, the building reflects John’s generosity and belief in Williston’s mission.
Beyond his service to Williston, John is the Executive Chairman of Taco Comfort Solutions, a third-generation, family-owned manufacturing company headquartered in Rhode Island and operating globally. Under his leadership, Taco has grown as a world-class manufacturer of advanced heating and cooling systems with a presence across North America, Europe, and Asia, while maintaining a deep commitment to innovation, quality, and employee development. A respected business leader, John has long championed employee education and development through initiatives such as the Taco Learning Center and the Taco Innovation and Development Center, where hands-on training and tuition-supported education opportunities empower employees at all levels. His leadership philosophy, grounded in investing in people and fostering shared success, was recognized when he was named a 2023 Manufacturing Champion by Providence Business News, honoring his role in strengthening both his company and the broader manufacturing sector.
John’s professional achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally. In 2025, he received the prestigious Star of Touring Broadway Award from The Broadway League, honoring his longstanding commitment to advancing the performing arts and expanding access to Broadway programming in his community through the White Family Foundation. This recognition reflects more than a decade of support for arts and culture, including sponsorship of the Providence Performing Arts Center’s Broadway Series, which has brought hundreds of performances to regional audiences. Earlier, in 2019, he was honored with the Craftsmanship Award from The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York, recognizing his role as an industry trailblazer and his decades of leadership in advancing manufacturing excellence, innovation, and workforce development.
His professional leadership is matched by a deep commitment to philanthropy, including his work through the White Family Foundation, which supports education, the arts, healthcare, environmental initiatives, and community service.
John’s contributions to Williston and beyond have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Ward Medal (now the Williston Northampton Medal) in 2013. Yet it is his constancy of service, humility of leadership, and unwavering belief in Williston’s mission that most define his impact.
Through his decades of leadership, advocacy, and generosity, John Hazen White Jr. ’76 has strengthened Williston in enduring ways. His service has shaped the institution’s present and secured its future, making him a most deserving recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.