Dave North Named UofM Board of Trustees Chairman; Carol Roberts Vice Chair

March 18, 2019 - Dave North has been named chairman of the University of Memphis Board of Trustees while Carol Roberts was named vice chair at the University's March board meeting.

The board's first chairman, Alan Graf, and vice chair, Brad Martin, served out their two-year terms.

North is Sedgwick's president and chief executive officer, a position he has held since 1995. Under his leadership, Sedgwick has grown from a boutique, regional third-party claims administrator to the premier global provider of innovative business solutions in the areas of workers' compensation, disability and absence management, property loss adjusting and other specialty services.

Operating across 65 countries, Sedgwick has more than 21,000 colleagues who take care of people and organizations by delivering cost-effective claims, productivity, managed care, risk consulting and other services. North previously served on the University's Board of Visitors while concurrently serving on the University of Memphis Foundation Board and the President's Innovation Board.

"The University is on the move," said North, who has been a member of the Board since its inception in March 2017. "What a great time to be asked to serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees. The adoption of independent governance has enabled us to focus on those issues most directly beneficial to our University and students. The evidence is all around. Tuition rates and plans are consistently focused on making higher education more affordable, key construction projects are underway on campus, and the entire faculty and administration has as a priority the education of our students and their graduation.

"We are all grateful for the leadership of Alan Graf, who provided the leadership we needed in our first two years of independence. I am also very pleased to partner with Dr. Rudd and the University leadership to advance our plans."

Roberts is a retired senior vice president and chief financial officer for International Paper. She led the global finance organization, including Internal Audit, Tax, Accounting, Trust Investments, Investor Relations, Treasury and Strategic Planning, and Information Technology.

"It has been an honor to serve on the UofM Board of Trustees these past two years," said Roberts. "The University continues to make great strides, and having our own Board to support these efforts is critical. I look forward to working with Chairman North, President Rudd and my fellow Trustees to continue to move the University forward."

The next University of Memphis Board of Trustees meeting will be on June 5.