Dean candidate of unusual qualifications emerges

The UCLA Anderson School of Management’s search for a new
dean is one step closer to being complete with the announcement of
Geoffrey Garrett, vice provost of the UCLA International Institute,
as an official candidate for the position.

Garrett’s candidacy for the deanship may come as a
surprise for some, as the vice provost served as the head of the
search committee appointed to find the future dean.

“It is unusual, but not unprecedented,” said
Lawrence Lokman, a spokesman for the chancellor, about
Garrett’s transition from head of the search committee for
the candidate to the actual candidate.

Vice Chancellor of Research Roberto Peccei, served as head of
the search committee for his current position until he was
nominated, and eventually appointed, for the vice chancellor
position himself.

The search for the next dean of the Anderson School became
necessary after Bruce Willison, who had served as the dean for the
last five years, opted out of another term last year in order to
pursue other interests.

The search for the dean began in early spring 2004 and the
search committee ““ along with a private firm ““ scoured
the country for candidates.

The chancellor-appointed members of the search committee had the
responsibility of seeking out the best possible candidate for the
job, then reporting their recommendation back to the
chancellor.

While most of the time that candidate is a person unaffiliated
with the committee, sometimes the group will nominate one of its
own members if it deems that person to be well suited for the
position.

Lokman said Garrett emerged as a candidate during the search
process because members of the committee were so impressed with his
leadership skills that they decided to nominate him as the future
dean.

“I’m pleased and honored to have played a role in
this process thus far, and to be put forward as a candidate to lead
this remarkable school,” Garrett said.

There are no limitations on the number of canidadates who may be
nominated, but officials are keeping information regarding the
number of potential candidates, if any, confidential.

“Garrett is the only candidate being put forward at this
time,” Lokman said.

Now that the committee has made its recommendation, it is up to
Carnesale to make the final decision.

“It’s pretty much out of the (Anderson)
School’s hands now,” said Anderson School spokesman
Philip Little. “The committee members did what they were
supposed to do and now the decision is in the hands of the
chancellor.”

Lokman said while Chancellor Carnesale is “very
pleased” to put Garrett forward as a candidate, he would like
to hear the opinions of members of the Anderson School before
making a final decision.

Bruce Willison, the current Anderson dean, is scheduled to end
his term at the school this year, and it may leave the Anderson
School without dean.

Since officials are focusing their attention on finding the best
possible candidate, Lokman said, they are also refraining from
releasing any information on when the next dean will assume his
position.

“I look forward to meeting with representatives of the
Anderson School family, to share my views and listen further to
their needs and concerns,” Garrett said.