Lovell selected as next UWM Chancellor
Dr. Michael Lovell, former Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has been recommended as UWM’s next chancellor. Lovell has served as Interim Chancellor since last October.
Lovell has been recommended by Kevin Reilly, president of the University of Wisconsin System, as well as a special committee of the UW System Board of Regents. Lovell will officially step into the new role following approval by the full board at its next meeting, scheduled for June 9-10 in Milwaukee.
“During his tenure as dean, Mike demonstrated strong leadership in key areas. He recruited talented new faculty to strengthen the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and led the effort to compete aggressively for more outside research funding,” Reilly said. “Under Mike’s leadership, we saw a similar spike in private contributions. We all have great expectations for UW-Milwaukee, and its role as an economic engine for Southeast Wisconsin. Mike is an accomplished engineer who has a genuine appreciation for the role of the humanities and the arts in student development. He has the skills to help the campus thrive, and that success will create positive ripple effects across the state.”
Lovell joined UWM in 2008, after serving as associate dean for research at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering for five years. There, he directed two multi-university research centers, working with hundreds of faculty members, graduate students, and private companies. He was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Kentucky, after starting his career at a private firm that develops engineering simulation software.
During his time as UWM’s Interim Chancellor, Lovell helped finalize the acquisition of Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and completed an agreement to establish the new School of Public Health facility in the former Pabst downtown site. Lovell worked closely with UW System staff to move forward with a $75-million Integrated Research Complex, the first marquee academic building constructed in the heart of campus in more than a decade.
"I am deeply honored to be recommended as the next Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee. I would like to thank President Reilly, the campus search committee, and the Regent search committee for their confidence in me,” Lovell said. “I deeply value UWM’s commitment to a dual mission of being a major research institution while also providing access to a diverse population of Wisconsin residents. UWM has made tremendous strides over the last decade with respect to both enrollment and research growth. As Chancellor, I will do everything in my power to keep us moving forward, even during difficult financial times."
A 23-member search and screen committee, chaired by Distinguished Professor Mark D. Schwartz from UW-Milwaukee’s Geography Department, conducted the national search and recommended Lovell as one of five finalists to Reilly and the regents. All finalists participated in a series of meetings and receptions on the campus, interacting with faculty, academic staff, classified staff, students and community members.
“Dr. Lovell brings an authentic, collaborative leadership style to the Chancellor position, and I think that’s exactly what our city and our university need right now,” said UW System Regent Danae Davis, who chaired the special committee of Regents that interviewed all finalists. “Through his communication style and personal interactions with colleagues, Mike demonstrates a deep understanding of our broad campus community. People who meet him come away with the impression that things are only going to get better.”
Manpower adds BMO’s CEO to board
Milwaukee-based ManpowerGroup announced today that William Downe, president and chief executive officer of BMO Financial Group, which is acquiring Marshall & Ilsley Corp., has been appointed to Manpower’s board of directors.
Montreal-based BMO is merging M&I Bank into Harris Bank. The M&I Bank brand will be eliminated.
Downe has been appointed to the Manpower board, along with Patricia Hemingway Hall, president and CEO of Health Care Service Corp., which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
"Bill and Patricia both bring with them tremendous knowledge and experience and both possess true leadership qualities," said Jeffrey Joerres, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO. "Bill’s well-known focus on customers and customer experience is a natural fit for what we strive for at ManpowerGroup and Patricia will bring depth to our board in several areas, particularly in regulation and new technologies."
Abele names transition committee
Milwaukee County Executive-elect Chris Abele announced today a group of civic, business and community leaders will serve on his transition committee to help him build a staff and an administration committed to his reform agenda.
The committee includes business and labor leaders, urban and suburban representatives, and leaders from the nonprofit and faith communities. The co-chairs of the committee are Marc Marotta, an attorney at Foley & Lardner who previously served as Secretary of Administration under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, and Sheldon Lubar, founder and principal of Lubar & Co. who previously served in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Marotta and Lubar also served as co-chairs of Abele’s campaign.
Abele also announced that David Riemer would serve as director of his transition committee. Riemer currently serves as director of the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.
"Putting together a team with a track record of integrity and results is going to be key as I focus on creating jobs, and ensuring that county services are delivered sustainably and efficiently,” Abele said.
Abele said his reform goals include:
- Consolidating services and seeking immediate efficiencies to save taxpayer money.
- Implementing an economic development strategy to create jobs, expand opportunity, decrease unemployment and help reduce poverty.
- Introducing a 2012 county budget that does not raise taxes.
- Creating a blueprint for the future of the county that addresses structural problems such as a transit system in decline, chronic deferred maintenance at county facilities and structural debt within the budget that produces deep deficits year after year.
In addition to Marotta, Lubar and Riemer, Abele’s Transition Committee to Reform Milwaukee County includes:
Sue Black, director, Milwaukee County Parks System.
Tina Chang, CEO, Syslogic.
Danae Davis, executive director, Pearls For Teen Girls Inc.
Michal Dawson, former deputy commissioner, Milwaukee Department of City Development.
Dan Devine, mayor, City of West Allis.
Ricardo Diaz, executive director, United Community Center.
Rob Henken, president, Public Policy Forum.
Mark Maierle, business manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 317.
C.H. McClelland, bishop, Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ.
Michael Neitzke, mayor, City of Greenfield.
Cory Nettles, executive managing director, Generation Growth Capital.
Andy Nunemaker, president, EMSytems.
Candice Owley, president, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.
Sandy Pasch, state representative, chair of Milwaukee Legislative Delegation.
Jeff Peelen, attorney, Quarles & Brady.
Kathy Smith, CFO, Legal Aid Society.
Adrienne Roach, committee executive assistant.
