Inspired Leadership

As we face historic global economic challenges, the call for breakthrough, principled leadership is resounding. With a $2.5 million gift to Drexel, R. John Chapel Jr. ’67, former President and CEO of AVIEL Systems, Inc., and his wife, Virginia, boldly answered the call by endowing the dean’s chair in Leadership at Drexel University’s Bennett S. LeBow College of Business.

Resources from the Chapels’ visionary contribution will be used to develop strategic programs selected by Chapel and LeBow Dean George Tsetsekos. “I am very impressed with the leadership demonstrated by Dean Tsetsekos,” said Chapel. “Endowing the dean’s chair will provide him with a discretionary fund that can be used to advance the college and prepare graduates to enter the business world with a solid education, well grounded in leadership and ethics.”

As an eager student in the College of Business, Chapel never lost sight of the countless doors that a solid Drexel education would open for him. “I realized that what I learned in my marketing and finance classes would be of great use to me when I got out of school,” said Chapel, who now specializes in helping emerging companies plan and execute successful growth strategies resulting in significant market expansion. Over the years he was able to build upon his education with practical experience and has leveraged both to become a successful businessman — a success that he generously shares with his alma mater in a true exhibition of leadership.

“John is an exceptional business school alumnus,” says Tsetsekos. “On behalf of LeBow students, I thank him and Virginia for their support of our mission. The Dean’s Chair will further enhance our reputation as an institution of progressive knowledge and research in the contemporary business environment.”