Penn State Administrator Elected to Board of Statewide Business Organization
January 12, 2001
University Park, PA-James H. Ryan, Penn State University's first Vice President for Outreach and Cooperative Extension, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Ryan is the only representative of Pennsylvania's four-year and graduate universities to serve on the board this term.

"I'm honored to have been selected to serve in this outstanding statewide business organization," Ryan said. "The continued strengthening of Pennsylvania's business community will enhance the economic well being of the whole state."

Ryan added that educating the Commonwealth's workforce and supporting statewide economic and community development are priorities of the University's Outreach and Cooperative Extension as well.

Penn State Outreach and Cooperative Extension is the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than five million people at more than 500 locations, from all 50 states and 80 countries annually. With more than 800 employees, this organization supports all academic colleges, campuses, centers, and cooperative extension offices. Each year, more than 2,000 programs and services are offered in collaboration with 1,500 faculty members through Penn State's Outreach delivery units in every Pennsylvania county.

Ryan has taught, written, and lectured widely on leadership, managerial decision-making, organizational change and development, information technology, and the role of higher education in economic development.

"James Ryan brings much to the table and we look forward to benefiting from his experiences and drawing upon his special talents and expertise as we fulfill our mission of representing businesses throughout the Commonwealth," said state Chamber President Floyd Warner.

EDITOR'S CONTACT: James H. Ryan at 814 865-7581

**********************************************

Celena E. Kusch 814-865-8108, fax: 814-863-2765 cxk33@outreach.psu.edu
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/news/