The following message was sent from the chair of the Board of Trustees to the Drexel community.
Dear Members of the Drexel Community,
I am writing to share that effective today Drexel’s Board of Trustees has named Denis O’Brien, a trustee and a deeply engaged, collaborative, and visionary leader in the Philadelphia region, as Drexel’s interim president.
Through the September Board meeting, Interim President Denis O’Brien will work with outgoing President John Fry to transition critical philanthropic and government relationships and close any important business transactions. As communicated in a July 3 community message and with the support of the Board, in consultation with Interim President O’Brien, Provost Paul Jensen will lead the implementation of the recommendations by the University Advisory Committee on Academic Structure and other academic tasks, while Helen Bowman, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, will oversee the advancement of the administrative and financial work underway at the University, as well as other administrative tasks.
Denis, a graduate of the LeBow College of Business, has been a member of Drexel’s Board for two decades, and currently chairs the Buildings and Properties committee. He has headed high-performing institutions in the Philadelphia region for more than 30 years. Most recently he served as Senior Executive Vice President of Exelon and CEO of Exelon Utilities, where he led the nation’s largest family of electric and natural gas distribution companies. He guided transformation of the company from two, independently managed utilities to an integrated, six-utility enterprise. Prior to that he was the president and CEO of PECO Energy, one of the nation’s most profitable and highest-performing utility companies.
Denis has served on numerous boards, including serving as the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and the Edison Power Research Institute. He currently serves on the board of Independence Health Group.
In recognition of his accomplishments, he has received many honors and awards including being named Drexel’s 2009 Business Leader of the Year and elected to the Drexel 100, which recognizes the University’s top graduates. In 2019, he was the recipient of the William Penn Award, the highest honor presented to a business or civic leader in Greater Philadelphia.
Having the pleasure of getting to know Denis well throughout the years, I can assure you: Drexel is extremely fortunate to have his expertise and thoughtful leadership during this important transitionary moment.
Additionally, the Board’s Nominating and Governance committee approved a recommendation that Trustee Mike Lawrie chair the presidential search committee. More information on the presidential search process will be forthcoming, including the names of the search committee members, which will include a group of trustees, faculty members, students, alumni, and administrators.
In closing, please join me in welcoming Denis to this new role, and thanking him and Mike for their continued commitment to ensuring Drexel remains in a position of strength during this time of transition. All my gratitude to the Drexel community for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Richard Greenawalt
Chair, Drexel University