1. Looking back on your five years as dean of the Faculty of Management, what gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction?

• The unanimous approval of the Faculty's ambitious vision, including seeking AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation. If we implement it, we will have an exceptional, differentiated program that will compete very well against other programs.

• The funding and design of Markin Hall was a real team effort involving everyone from 7th floor administration to the Faculty's terrific administrative staff. I am very proud of the building's space and how it will allow students and faculty to mingle as a way of building community.

• We have hired some really talented young faculty that are doing great in the classroom and will make their mark in research.

• I think we have made great strides in connecting with the business and wider Lethbridge communities.

• We are increasing the visibility of our northern campuses. In particular, enrolments in Calgary have soared.

• There has been a phenomenal transformation in the Management Student Society. They have come a long way in the types of functions they are doing, how they go about doing their business and the student activities they organize or participate in, such as JDC. Their work in developing a professional student honour code that, among other things, encourages student volunteer work is wonderful.

2. What did you enjoy most about working in an administrative role?

Seeing the opportunities and making them come alive as part of a strategy, and then working with faculty to have those opportunities become a reality.
The people I work closely with have been an absolute delight, and I couldn't have accomplished a single thing without them. They are so talented and committed to the U of L.

3. What will you take away personally from your time as dean?

How demanding university administration is, the enormous time commitment it requires and how difficult it is to make some of the decisions. It is not an easy job.

I think I've grown a lot and developed new skills. I more thoroughly appreciate that running a good organization is about understanding and getting the basics right. As well, I realize it is trite to say this, but it is all about people. I was lucky because I had so many great people to work with.

4. Are you satisfied with where the Faculty of Management is positioned as it moves into Markin Hall and begins a new chapter?

I feel the Faculty of Management possesses a well-thought-out strategy for the
future. Administratively we have the financial information to make good decisions, and many of the policies for things to run effectively and efficiently are in place. I also think we have done well financially. We saw our current financial problems coming a long time ago and, in response, have been both fiscally prudent and responsible. In this connection Anita Ryder, the Faculty's financial officer, has played such an important role and deserves much of the credit.

5. Are you looking forward to getting back into teaching and research?

The part about administration that I dislike the most is not being able to interact with students on a regular basis. There is no question that I have missed teaching, and I've also really missed being actively involved in research. I've had to basically put on hold most projects, other than those that were quite far advanced and even here, I couldn't have gotten them published if it were not for my co-authors. Still, I don't think I want to leave administration completely and one of my objectives for my upcoming administrative leave is to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.