< Back to
On Campus
< Back to all News
Alumnus, Executive Matt Branam Named Interim President of Rose-Hulman
June 11, 2009
Matt Branam, a seasoned executive with expertise in both
the private and non-profit sectors, has been selected as interim
president at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
 |
|
Matt Branam
|
He will serve while a search is under way for a permanent
successor to Gerald S. Jakubowski, who has resigned effective June
30.
Branam, who has been a vice president at UPS and chief
operating officer at the American Red Cross, is a 1979 civil
engineering graduate of Rose-Hulman. He lives in Great Falls, Va.,
where he is currently a business consultant.
"Rose-Hulman is fortunate to have one of its own with the
leadership, vision and experience to lead the college during this
time of transition," said Bill Fenoglio, chairman of the
Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees. "Matt's track record as an executive
in other first-in-class organizations, private and non-profit, is a
great fit with Rose-Hulman's reputation of providing the best in
undergraduate engineering, science and mathematics education. We
know the Rose-Hulman mission will continue to move forward under
his leadership."
In addition to his executive experience, Branam brings
strong interpersonal and communications skills to the job, noted
William Schindel, board member and chair of the search committee.
"Matt impressed the committee with his solid philosophy of
leadership, experience with scientific research organizations,
knowledge of fundraising and government relations, and strong
appreciation for Rose-Hulman's academic core."
Branam served as chief operating officer of the American Red
Cross under then-president Elizabeth Dole. During his tenure at the
organization, Red Cross operating revenue grew by 38 percent to
$2.5 billion annually. Branam's duties at the Red Cross included
overseeing a network of 1,300 chapters, blood services regions,
tissue services centers, major laboratory operations, field
stations at U.S. military installations around the world, and the
nation's most extensive disaster relief operation. He led a
turnaround in the agency's fiscal position, led an
organization-wide visioning process, and launched a brand image
campaign and a strategic fundraising initiative.
Before becoming chief operating officer at the Red Cross,
Branam was vice president for public affairs at UPS, where he began
his career as a teenager.
"It is an honor to be returning home to my alma mater,"
Branam said, "and a privilege to be able to serve the faculty and
college who have served me so well. Higher education faces many
challenges in these tough economic times, but Rose-Hulman is strong
and well positioned to meet them." He continued, "We have top
faculty, students, and staff who continue to burnish the reputation
of the college. I look forward to being part of the Rose-Hulman
team and to building on Rose-Hulman's strong
foundation."
The Board of Trustees selected Branam during a regular board
meeting on May 29. "He was chosen from a pool of very strong
candidates," Schindel said. "While several of our candidates could
have led the college well during the interim period, the board
found Matt to be the best fit at this time."
With the selection of Branam now finalized, another board
committee will begin the process of finding a permanent
president.