Officials at the University of North Carolina (UNC), a large statewide system that receives $2.6 billion in funding each year for its 16 public college campuses, have engaged an executive search firm to seek a replacement for current president Thomas W. Ross. This story demonstrates that executive search firms can provide a valuable service to not only private-sector corporations, but public and educational organizations as well.
Ross, who will be leaving his post in January 2016, was encouraged to step down by the university's Board of Governors. According to a press conference conducted by Board of Governors chairman John Fennebresque, the decision had nothing to do with Ross' age, politics or even his job performance. Rather, the board simply believed "that a new leader could bring different assets" to the university system.
Ross himself says that he is stepping down willingly although he had no previous plans to do so.
"It's not an easy thing for me because I love it, and I would love to be here forever," he told reporters at the press conference.
The university reviewed proposals from 18 firms and interviewed representatives from four of them before deciding on a nationally known executive search firm.
This case also highlights the importance of conducting leadership transitions tactfully. Executive search firms can perform a search process without the current leadership of the company knowing to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible.
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