Nunery named to oversee U.'s business operations

Filling a 10-month void, University officials have hired former National Basketball Association executive Leroy Nunery to assume the position of vice president for Business Services. The position has been vacant since Steve Murray, who had held the post since 1992, died of cancer last April. Associate Vice President for Business Services Marie Witt has served in an interim basis for the past year. Nunery, 43, will begin work on March 15, bringing to the post several years of administrative experience. Nunery comes to Penn from the Chicago-based NationsBank Montgomery Securities LLC, where he has served as managing director since 1997. Prior to that, he served as a vice president of the NBA, overseeing the league's business development operations, and as a top official in several departments of the Swiss Bank Corp. Nunery also previously served alongside Penn Executive Vice President John Fry on the board of trustees of Lafayette College, both of their alma maters. With Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, Nunery will be one of the two highest-ranking African-American administrators at the University. Nunery said the campus atmosphere -- familiar to him through his work at Lafayette -- attracted him to the University. "Every time I step on campus I get charged up," Nunery said, adding that he will focus on providing "top-notch service" for his student clientele. The vice president for business services oversees the University's business ventures, including the University Bookstore, Dining Services, telecommunications and Penntrex. University President Judith Rodin said Nunery was the top choice for the job. She said he is a good appointment because he has "extraordinary business experience and excellent judgment and understands higher education from his role at Lafayette." The search for a new vice president -- which began last summer -- was spearheaded by Fry, who worked with the executive search firm Korn/Ferry International to compile a list of candidates. Fry, whose term as a Lafayette trustee intersected with Nunery's for five years, said he personally "handpicked" Nunery as a candidate. Fry explained that Nunery's combined business, financial and communication skills made him an obvious choice for the job. "He has a lot of background in human resources," Fry said, adding that Nunery also has "extremely strong financial skills." But Nunery does not plan to stick to his desk. He says he wants to reach out and work with the the West Philadelphia community. "I've never been shy about that. I've always been involved with the community," he said, adding that Philadelphia is an exciting city this year because of the upcoming mayoral elections. Nunery received his bachelor's degree in history from Lafayette College and his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a past national president of the National Black MBA Association.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.