Searches underway for business dean and chief investment officer

The University has created search committees to identify candidates for the positions of dean of Robins School of Business and chief investment officer.

Chairing the dean’s search committee is Dr. Andy Litteral, associate professor of management. Other members include Dr. June Aprille, provost (ex officio); LouEllen Blackwelder, Robins School director of operations; Dr. Tom Cossé, Robins School associate dean; Dr. Richard Coughlan, Robins School associate dean; Rich Johnson, ’73, president of The Wilton Companies; Dr. Carol Lancaster, associate professor of finance; Fiona McCarthy, ’05, Robins School student; Dr. Jim Monks, assistant professor of economics; Dr. Ken Ruscio, dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies; and Dr. Val Vendrzyk, associate professor of accounting. Shirley Woods, director of the business school’s personal development program, is serving as a consultant to the committee.

“The ideal candidate will be an energetic and effective leader with strong communication skills, the desire to work well with members of an administrative team, and the ability to foster a collegial and collaborative environment among all members of the University community,” according to the position announcement.

Litteral said he hopes a new dean will be named by the end of the semester for a starting date of July 1. The current dean, Dr. Karen Newman, has accepted the position of dean of the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.

Nominations and applications for the dean’s position should be sent to Litteral in care of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The new chief investment officer will have overall responsibility for the University’s investment program, asset allocation and the selection of investment managers, said Herb Peterson, vice president for business and finance and co-chair of the search committee. The position also serves as president of Spider Management Co., a separate 501(c)(3) company controlled by the University.

Paul Queally, R’86, chair of Spider Management Co. and member of the Board of Trustees, serves as the other committee co-chair. Members include Dr. John Earl, associate professor of finance; Fred Tattersall, trustee; Stephen Kneeley, R’85, trustee; Stephen Lessing, trustee; George Wellde Jr., B’74, trustee; and Bradley Oswald, ‘05, general manager of the Student Managed Investment Fund.

“Richmond’s endowment fund is the 41st largest in the United States, and it supports more than 25 percent of our operating budget,” said Peterson. “Endowment income amounts to more than $12,500 per student. Investment returns over time at least equal to inflation plus annual spending are essential to Richmond meeting its long-term academic goals.”

Nominations and applications for chief investment officer may be sent to Prince Goldsmith LLC, 420 Lexington Ave., Suite 2048, New York, N.Y. 10170.

RICHMOND MATTERS