CONTACT: Frank D. Martinez, 277-1811

Jan. 27, 2003 UNM PRESIDENT NAMES SPECIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia today announced the appointment of Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy John Young of the UNM Anderson Schools of Management (ASM) as Special Advisor to the President on Economic Development. "Dr. Young has taught courses in entrepreneurship and small business management at the Anderson Schools of Management for 15 years, where he serves as the coordinator of the Entrepreneurial Studies Emphasis and as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute (SBI) Program. His background and his areas of expertise make him a very good fit for the position," Garcia said. The SBI Program is a business assistance program aimed at providing consultation to New Mexico businesses. Young is an original member of the Board of Directors of the newly created New Mexico Small Business Investment Corp., whose mission is to stimulate economic development and job creation in the state, particularly in rural communities. "Economic development is a high priority of the University, especially as we work with the new administration in Santa Fe," Garcia said. He said Young's responsibilities will include working with "public officials and business leaders, particularly on new state economic development initiatives involving higher education." The appointment is effective immediately. Young fills the position to which ASM Professor Avi Shama was named last year. Of his appointment, Young said, "I look forward to working with UNM's central administration, the various colleges within the University, state and local governments and other organizations to facilitate job creation by starting new businesses and growing existing businesses in New Mexico." The Special Advisor is tasked with encouraging, coordinating, and promoting the economic development activities of various UNM units, including its schools, colleges, centers and branch campuses to leverage the University's resources. The Special Advisor will help secure economic development funds from external agencies and interacts with the University's internal and external constituents on economic development matters. Young will represent the President's Office in economic development matters involving government and business organizations and will help guide the University's participation in the economic development of the state. From 1995-97, Young served as a Scholar-In-Residence at the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, E.M. Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City, Mo. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Colorado at Denver, the University of Kansas, and Kansas Community College. He also previously held various positions in the corporate sector. Young is the 1990 recipient of the "Excellence for Albuquerque's Economy Award" of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the "1997-98 University Program of the Year Award" presented by the Entrepreneurial Education Foundation of Denver and the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership of Kansas City, Mo., among other awards and honors. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati in 1968, and his master's degree 1970 and his Ph.D. in 1980, both Organization and Administration, from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. # # #

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