Harold W. Pote “Hal” Pote served on the Drexel University board of trustees for 17 years and had just been elected vice chairman at the time of his death. He also served on the board of the Drexel University College of Medicine.

He was chairman of the University’s Enrollment Management Committee and College of Medicine’s finance committee. In both capacities he served tirelessly and passionately as an advocate of the University.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Pote was president and chief executive officer of American Financial Realty Trust. His previous positions included vice chairman of retail financial services at JP Morgan Chase & Co. and executive vice president and head of Chase Regional Banking. He was a founding partner at The Beacon Group, which became part of Chase. Mr. Pote was also the chief executive office of First Fidelity Bancorporation.

In addition to his services to Drexel, Mr. Pote founded and served on the Board of the Spina Bifida Foundation. He was on the boards of the Museum of Arts & Design, the New York City Ballet, and the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and Intelligence Oversight Board. Along with his wife, Linda Johnson, Mr. Pote was a lifelong advocate for the welfare of the people of Philadelphia.

Because of the importance of superb teachers to the students that Mr. Pote sought for Drexel, the University is honoring him by endowing the Harold W. Pote “Behind Every Graduate” Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.