Brent Williams (Photo courtesy of University of Arkansas)
Provost Terry Martin has appointed Brent D. Williams as dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, effective Feb. 1, 2024. Williams has served as the interim dean of the Walton College since August 2023 when former dean Matt Waller transitioned back to faculty as professor of supply chain management.
“As interim dean and through other leadership roles within the university, Dr. Williams has demonstrated and proven he is the right person to serve the college and our business community in this role,” Martin said. “He is committed to student success, research and innovation, which are paramount to our land-grant mission, and I look forward to seeing the Walton College continue to grow and excel as one of the nation’s leading business schools under Dr. Williams’ exceptional leadership.”
The search for the dean of the Walton College began in September 2023 with Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration, serving as the chair of the search committee. Russell Reynolds Associates, an external search firm, assisted Bordelon and the search committee.
“I’m very thankful for the search committee’s dedication to ensuring a robust and thorough search process and to Russell Reynolds for their support,” Bordelon said. “After conducting a national search and speaking with several prospective finalists, the search committee and Russell Reynolds strongly endorsed Dr. Williams’ appointment over all other candidates. We’re thrilled he will continue to serve the Walton College, and are certain that he is the best person to lead the Walton College into the future.”
Williams is currently the Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management. When Williams becomes the dean in February, he will serve as the Sam M. Walton Endowed Leadership Chair in the Walton College.
Prior to serving as interim dean, Williams was the senior associate dean in the Walton College, where he oversaw the college’s academic departments, student success initiatives and strategic planning process. Williams also led the early development of the McMillon Innovation Studio and Walton College at 2nd & Main in Downtown Little Rock.
“Dr. Williams’ outstanding teaching, research, mentoring, industry outreach and administrative leadership have contributed to the Walton College’s reputation as one of the nation’s top business schools,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “I am looking forward to Brent’s leadership further advancing the Sam M. Walton College of Business to even greater heights in the coming years.”
Williams joined the Walton College faculty in 2011 and has served as the chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management, among many other leadership positions.
As a professor, Williams has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses and conducted research in supply chain management, with much of that work focusing on how retail supply chains can improve their performance. Throughout his career, he has consistently engaged industry partners to bolster student success, research and innovation.
Williams received his Ph.D. in business administration from the U of A. He has held previous faculty positions at Texas Christian University and Auburn University. A native Arkansan, Williams is from Newport.
“I’m grateful to Provost Martin for the trust he has placed in me to lead Walton College,” Williams said. “I’d also like to thank Ann Bordelon and the search committee for their endorsement and recommendation. I’m honored to serve as dean and look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and so many others to grow the impact of the Walton College and University of Arkansas.”
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