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M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Members of the ACE Executive Search Roundtable

FROM: Rob Perry

SUBJ: Registry for College and University Presidents

DATE: May 2, 2003

The Registry for College and University Presidents (Registry) has recently joined the Executive Search Roundtable. The purpose of this communiqué is to explain the Registry's unique search service and to clarify its relationship to my firm and all other executive search firms. The enclosed article, "When Times Call for an Interim President" that appeared in AGB's Trusteeship, March/ April issue, provides background on the value of the Registry interim concept.

Since its inception in 1992, the Registry has served 50 institutions of higher education by providing interim leadership for 72 placement years. On seven of those occasions, R. H. Perry & Associates (RHPA) conducted the search after the governing board had appointed a member of the Registry as interim president. Although other firms have conducted CEO searches where a member of the Registry was serving as interim, nonetheless there has been a misperception that RHPA and the Registry are inextricably linked - e.g., that there are "strings attached." This simply is not the case. As a freestanding service, the Registry serves both colleges and universities that conduct their own searches and those that retain search counsel. For more in-depth information, please visit the new website: www.registry-online.org.

As reflected in the enclosed April 25 CHE announcement, the Registry is making significant strides in expanding its operations. Of special interest is the new division of senior administrators comprised of recently retired vice presidents and deans in all functional areas. Although the Registry has had its member presidents serve as both interim presidents and interim vice presidents over the years, this new cadre will set the stage for dramatically increased capability.

I know that the Round Table member firms have differing policies regarding conducting both an interim and permanent presidential search. Some firms will not accept an interim assignment while others may undertake both searches concurrently. Among the most compelling advantages of the Registry is the fact that "the search is already completed" - e.g., it remains only for the board to make its selection and appointment. I believe that it is important for all of us to be aware of the exceptional service the Registry is providing to the academy.