VCU names new Biz School dean

grierVCU’s School of Business has named a new dean.

Ed Grier
will replace Michael Sesnowitz, who stepped down in July. Longtime marketing professor David Urban has been serving as interim dean.

Grier joins VCU from Disneyland Resort, where he has served as president since 2006.

The university announced its finalists for the position in October, the same month Grier announced his retirement from Disneyland. Of the finalists, Grier was the only without an academic background. Urban, also a finalist, will assume the role of executive associate dean for the school.

With all of his children in college, Grier decided now was the ideal time to make the transition into the academic arena.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for several years,” said Grier. “I’ve always thought of teaching, and I saw this opportunity as the perfect transition into the academic world.”

Grier got his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University, and he will also serve as a business professor, although he will not teach classes.

VCU has signed Grier to a three-year renewable contract for $250,000 annually.

Of the appointment, VCU President Michael Rao said, “Ed Grier’s leadership and ability in resource development and strategy will advance the VCU School of Business to be one of the best in the nation.”

Grier said increasing the national recognition of the school is one of his goals, and he repeatedly stressed his desire to see students connect with their environments.

“We will motivate our students to reach out to the community so they can see firsthand the impact of business principles,” said Grier. “We’ll also help them establish global ties and make sure they’re highly prepared technically in all the disciplines.”

Grier said the timing of his retirement was unrelated to the open position at VCU.

“I had been in the corporate world for over 30 years, and now was simply the right time for a change,” he said.

After graduating in 1977, Grier worked as an auditor for Ernst and Young until 1981, when he joined Disneyland Resort. From there he worked himself to the top of the company.

“I had a wonderful career at Disney. I got to live in Paris and Tokyo and made some great friendships. I simply saw now as the time to do what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Grier.

Drew Jackson is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].

grierVCU’s School of Business has named a new dean.

Ed Grier
will replace Michael Sesnowitz, who stepped down in July. Longtime marketing professor David Urban has been serving as interim dean.

Grier joins VCU from Disneyland Resort, where he has served as president since 2006.

The university announced its finalists for the position in October, the same month Grier announced his retirement from Disneyland. Of the finalists, Grier was the only without an academic background. Urban, also a finalist, will assume the role of executive associate dean for the school.

With all of his children in college, Grier decided now was the ideal time to make the transition into the academic arena.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for several years,” said Grier. “I’ve always thought of teaching, and I saw this opportunity as the perfect transition into the academic world.”

Grier got his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University, and he will also serve as a business professor, although he will not teach classes.

VCU has signed Grier to a three-year renewable contract for $250,000 annually.

Of the appointment, VCU President Michael Rao said, “Ed Grier’s leadership and ability in resource development and strategy will advance the VCU School of Business to be one of the best in the nation.”

Grier said increasing the national recognition of the school is one of his goals, and he repeatedly stressed his desire to see students connect with their environments.

“We will motivate our students to reach out to the community so they can see firsthand the impact of business principles,” said Grier. “We’ll also help them establish global ties and make sure they’re highly prepared technically in all the disciplines.”

Grier said the timing of his retirement was unrelated to the open position at VCU.

“I had been in the corporate world for over 30 years, and now was simply the right time for a change,” he said.

After graduating in 1977, Grier worked as an auditor for Ernst and Young until 1981, when he joined Disneyland Resort. From there he worked himself to the top of the company.

“I had a wonderful career at Disney. I got to live in Paris and Tokyo and made some great friendships. I simply saw now as the time to do what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Grier.

Drew Jackson is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].

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