Call it a warm welcome. Reggie Gilyard, the dean at the Argyros School of Business and Economics, is relatively new in town but has already been honored with one of Orange County’s hottest honors. Gilyard, who began his tenure as the 10th dean of the Arygros School in August, was named to OC Metro magazine’s Hottest 25 People in Orange County list for 2012.

Each year the magazine honors 25 Orange County movers and shakers the magazine considers to be leaders in the region’s business, education, social and philanthropic circles. In a featured OC Metro profile, Gilyard was described by the magazine as “a 21st-century leader for one of the best business schools in the Western U.S.”

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 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.