The W. P. Carey School of Business ushered in the post-Larry Penley era last week, selecting Phil Regier as interim dean.
Regier, currently the W. P. Carey School's associate dean for undergraduate programs, will serve a one-year term beginning July 1. He will replace former Dean Larry Penley, who left last month to become the president of Colorado State University.
Regier was hired after positive responses from business faculty and staff, said ASU provost Milton Glick.
"He has very good relations throughout the business community, and very good relations in the business college," Glick said.
Regier said Penley would guide him in day-to-day tasks and the school's larger strategic goals until he leaves for Colorado in two months.
Regier's current responsibilities will be allocated to several people already in the school.
Glick said a search committee for the next dean would be formed by mid-July, with preliminary work beginning sometime in August.
"We're looking for someone who has vision, a strong track record, a sense of humor, and who can lead the college to become top 25 in the country," Glick said. "I believe we can find that person."
The list of candidates will not include Regier, who has already said he wants to return to his post as associate dean.
"I didn't want to be compromised in any way," Regier said. "I will be able to make decisions in the best interest of the school without regarding how it would impact my chances to be the permanent dean."
Glick said he'd like to find a new dean by the end of January, although he acknowledged it could take longer.
Glick praised the school's progress over the last decade, which has included national rankings for several programs and more than $110 million in grants.
"I think that Dean Penley did a terrific job and gave us a platform from which to attract an outstanding dean," Glick said.
Regier said he was looking forward to leading the school during the transition.
"It'll be a good handoff and a very good year, and I think we'll attract an enormous dean for the College," Regier said.
Reach the reporter at garrett.neese@asu.edu.