Reginald (Reggie) H. Gilyard has been selected as the new dean of the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics. He will replace Arthur Kraft, who served as dean since January 2006, and who announced last year his decision to retire. A search committee engaged in a national search to select Dean Kraft’s replacement and selected Gilyard from among a very strong pool of highly qualified candidates. He will begin his tenure as the tenth dean of the Arygros School on August 1, 2012.

Gilyard is a former partner and managing director in the Los Angeles office of The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a $3 billion global management consulting company that advises the world’s largest companies and public institutions. In that role, Gilyard led BCG’s Education Practice in the U.S., developing and implementing performance improvement strategies for clients ranging from primary and secondary schools through public and private higher education institutions. He also led recruiting activities for BCG at both local and national levels, covering undergraduate, MBA, Ph.D. and lateral hiring programs.

In addition to his extensive background in education, Gilyard has wide-ranging experience serving private sector clients in the media, consumer and retail sectors. He also served as a member of the BCG America’s Leadership Team, one of three regional boards providing input and guidance to the international firm.

A 1996 Harvard MBA graduate, Gilyard also earned an M.S. in Computer Systems Engineering in 1989 from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics/Operations Research from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985. Gilyard served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years as a program manager, responsible for the development, production and fielding of global intelligence systems.

Gilyard was raised in Southern California. His father is an alumnus of Chapman University, earning a master’s degree from Chapman University College. Gilyard is married to Suji Woo, and is the father of two daughters, Lili and Ella.

The University is extraordinarily fortunate to recruit an individual with Reggie’s attributes and leadership abilities. His interest in being part of the Chapman family illustrates our growing regional and national presence, and suggests exciting new opportunities for the Argyros School.