October 13, 2010 — University of Virginia Teresa A. Sullivan today announced the creation of the search committee charged with identifying and recommending a successor for Leonard W. Sandridge, the University's long-time executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Sullivan said her goal was to name a committee that would both represent a wide range of University constituencies and be representative of the broad responsibilities of the position.

In August she sent an e-mail to all members of the University community inviting nominations for the committee. More than 50 individuals responded.

"I think we have succeeded in attracting a strong committee that represents the breadth and depth of University interests," Sullivan said. "As everyone knows, they will have their work cut out for them. But I am confident that they will do a thorough and thoughtful job."

Sandridge has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for more than 20 years. During that time, he gained a national reputation for the efficiency and effectiveness of the University's operations. He led the University's administrative operations at a time of unprecedented construction and economic challenges, and helped to ensure current financial stability and maintain coveted AAA bond ratings from all three major credit agencies.

"The breadth of Leonard's portfolio almost surely exceeds that of any similar higher education official in the United States," Sullivan said when she announced his retirement on Aug. 2. "Indeed, it may be fairly said that there is no equivalent higher education official in the United States."

Sullivan has spent time over the past few months reviewing Sandridge's portfolio with an eye to reshaping it. In September, she announced that Craig K. Littlepage, director of intercollegiate athletic programs, would begin to report directly to her.

The chief operating officer, who is elected by the Board of Visitors on the nomination of the president, has supervision of the financial affairs of all colleges, schools and divisions of the University and advises the board and the president on all financial matters affecting the University. 

Duties also include oversight of buildings and grounds, the architect for the University, business and finance operations, human resources, public safety, institutional compliance including health and NCAA compliance, University-related foundations, and auxiliary enterprises, including the University of Virginia Medical Center. The COO also plays a key liaison role with the University's College at Wise.  

To lead the search committee, Sullivan tapped Carl P. Zeithaml, dean of the McIntire School of Commerce.

Zeithaml said he is well aware of the trust that Sullivan is placing in him and the committee. "Leonard set an extraordinary standard of excellence, service, integrity, and commitment by which all senior U.Va. leaders could be measured," he said. "This will be one the most important searches conducted at the University in many years."

Despite the challenge of finding a successor to Sandridge, Zeithaml said he believes that the search committee has "a significant opportunity to recruit a terrific professional to work with President Sullivan in this role as the University enters the next chapter in its long history."

Sullivan is looking to Zeithaml and the 15 committee members to lead a robust search that will include candidates from within the University as well as from across the country. Both said they are confident that the University will attract an excellent candidate pool.

Committee members include:

•    Benjamin W. Chrisinger, School of Architecture and College of Arts & Sciences alumnus and School of Architecture graduate student;
•    Patricia H. Cluff, associate vice president for strategic relations and marketing, U.Va. Health System;
•    Helen E. Dragas, College of Arts & Sciences and Darden School of Business alumna and vice rector of the Board of Visitors;
•    Peggy A. Ehrenberg, McIntire School of Commerce administrative and office specialist, and chair of Provost Employee Communication Council;
•    Virginia H.  Evans, assistant vice president for Integrated System deployment and support;
•    W. Heywood Fralin, College of Arts & Sciences alumnus, former rector and current member of the Board of Visitors;
•    Dr. Robert S. Gibson, School of Medicine faculty, president of U.Va. Medical Center clinical staff;
•    Phillip S. Green, School of Engineering and Applied Science and Darden School of Business graduate student;
•    Mark C. Hampton, Curry School of Education associate dean for administration and planning
•    Lloyd R. Harriott, School of Engineering and Applied Science professor and chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering;
•    Nadia Khatouri, fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences and co-chair of Student Council Safety and Wellness Committee;
•    Lemuel E. Lewis, College of Arts & Sciences and Darden School of Business alumnus;
•    Mary Ohaneson-Laughton, director of conference services;
•    Nancy A. Rivers, chief of staff to U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan and associate vice president for administration;
•    Jason W. Trujillo, School of Law alumnus and senior assistant dean for admissions, School of Law;

The committee's first meeting will be Oct. 22.


Note: For more information on the search and a complete description of job responsibilities, visit here.