Drexel trustee and former Exelon Corporation executive Denis O'Brien will serve as the university's interim president.
Drexel University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Denis P. O’Brien interim president of the University effective today. O’Brien, a former executive of the Exelon Corporation, has served on Drexel’s board for 20 years and currently chairs its Buildings and Property Committee. O’Brien’s appointment follows the announcement of the departure of John Fry, Drexel’s 14th president, to assume the same role at Temple University.
“Denis is a deeply engaged, collaborative and visionary leader,” said Richard Greenawalt, chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees. “He has served the University as a trustee for two decades and is a recognized leader throughout the Philadelphia region. Denis is the ideal person to lead Drexel through this transition and into a new era in our proud history.”
O’Brien will serve in the position until the University appoints its next president, the 15th in Drexel’s 132-year history.
“It’s an honor to serve in this role during Drexel’s time of transition,” O’Brien said. “As an alumnus and member of Drexel’s Board for more than 20 years, I have witnessed first-hand the University’s trajectory to excellence. I am looking forward to working closely with Drexel’s talented faculty, dedicated professional staff, outstanding students and a committed Board of Trustees to ensure the continued success of this remarkable university.”
O’Brien is a 1987 MBA graduate of Drexel’s Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. He spent more than 35 years at Exelon — the nation’s largest family of electrical and natural gas distribution companies — rising to the role of senior executive vice president and CEO of Exelon Utilities.
He guided the transformation of the company from two, independently managed utilities to an integrated, six-utility enterprise. Prior to that he served as the president and CEO of PECO Energy, one of the nation’s most profitable and highest-performing utility companies.
O’Brien has served on numerous boards, including tenures as the chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Electric Power Research Institute and the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable. He also served as a director at the Franklin Institute. He currently serves on the board of Independence Health Group.
Drexel named O’Brien its 2009 Business Leader of the Year and he is a member of 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,” Greenawalt said. “In addition, Provost Paul Jensen and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer Helen Bowman will continue to guide Drexel’s administrative operations, including its ongoing implementation of academic restructuring recommendations and advancement of the University’s administrative and financial work.”
Trustee Mike Lawrie, founder and CEO of The Lawrie Group, will chair the presidential search committee, which will include trustees, faculty members, students, alumni and administrators. Additional details about the search process will soon be announced.