Leadership changes continue at the Texas A&M University system offices.
At the end of Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting, approval was given to move two vice chancellors to new roles.
Frank Ashley becomes the new vice chancellor of recruitment and diversity. A timetable has not been set to name Ashley’s replacement in academic affairs.
And the system’s longtime point man at the state capitol, Stanton Calvert, is now a special advisor to chancellor John Sharp. Taking over as vice chancellor of federal and state affairs is Austin businessowner Guy Diedrich.
Following those votes, Regents chairman Richard Box announced Sharp was taking a voluntary pay cut of five percent.
Regents Chairman Richard Box announcing Chancellor John Sharp’s voluntary salary reduction.
The regents also gave emeritus status to Calvert and former chancellor Mike McKinney.
More information about the personnel changes is courtesy of the A&M System Office:
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp today announced the appointment of two new vice chancellors following approval by the Board of Regents during its regular meeting.
Guy K. Diedrich was named vice chancellor for federal and state relations, effective Nov. 7, and Dr. Frank B. Ashley III was named vice chancellor of recruitment and diversity, effective immediately.
“For the A&M System to best serve the citizens of Texas, we need to have people in positions to make the biggest impact,” said Sharp. “After visiting many of our campuses and locations over the past couple of months, I believe we have great leadership teams in place at our universities and agencies. Now I am beginning to turn my attention to our leadership team within the A&M System Offices as we work to further the system’s mission of teaching, research and service.”
Earlier this week, Sharp launched a comprehensive review of the A&M System’s organizational, management and business practices by contracting with MGT of America, Inc., with the goal of streamlining operations and enhancing efficiencies.
Diedrich is the founder and current president of Austin Technology Ventures, a consulting firm that provides services for software, hardware and biotechnology companies. He served as vice chancellor for federal relations and commercialization for the A&M System from 2005-10. Diedrich also served as managing director of Texas A&M University’s Technology Commercialization Center from 2004-05. Prior to coming to Texas A&M, Diedrich served for 11 years as president and CEO of GRA Inc., a software development and consulting company with offices in Atlanta, London and Dallas, which he cofounded and grew from a startup.
Ashley has served as vice chancellor for academic affairs for the A&M System since May 2007 and will continue to serve in an acting capacity in that role during an interim period. Before joining the A&M System, he was interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he had also served as dean of the College of Education and a professor of health kinesiology and sports studies. He also worked for 18 years at Texas A&M University in many capacities, including director of admissions and a faculty member of the Department of Health and Kinesiology.