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About
Michael L. Tichnor is an American real estate businessman, attorney, philanthropist, and civic leader from the greater Boston area. He founded and served as president of Tichnor Properties, Inc., a privately held commercial and industrial real estate firm operating in southern New England. Previously, he was a principal and of counsel at a family-held national consumer paper products company and currently operates as a private investor. He holds a Bachelor's degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania (1970-1974) and a J.D. from Boston College Law School (1977). Tichnor served two terms on the Wayland, Massachusetts Select Board, elected chair twice, and as a member of the town's Finance Committee. He has a 20+ year history with the American Jewish Committee (AJC), beginning in 1997, including serving as AJC New England Regional President (2009), National Board of Governors, Executive Council (Chair of Regional Offices, Chair of Leadership Development, Chair of Strategic Assessment Task Force in 2022, Succession Committee), Board member of the AJC Transatlantic Institute, and National President (2022-2025). Other Jewish community roles include founder, first president, and trustee of Congregation Or Atid, and involvement with Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Metrowest Jewish Day School, and OneinForty (awareness of cancer risks from genetic defects in Ashkenazi Jews). Married to Karen Tichnor, a retired special needs teacher, they have three married children and eight grandchildren. Active in philanthropy via the Michael and Karen Tichnor Family Foundation. Resides in Wayland, Massachusetts; attended Newton South High School.