MINUTES

Arizona Board of Regents
Special Meeting
January 20, 1999

A Special Meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents was held on January 20, 1999. Regents were present by telephone. President Gignac called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

Present were:
    Regent George H. Amos, III
    Regent Rudy Campbell
    Regent Judith A. Gignac
    Regent Chris Herstam
    Regent Jack Jewett
    Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Graham Keegan (Entered Late)
    Regent Kay McKay
    Regent John Munger
    Regent Jennifer Reichelt
    Regent Donald Ulrich

Absent were:
    Governor Jane Dee Hull

Also present were: Board Counsel Joel Sideman in the Conference Room at the Central Office, 2020 North Central, Phoenix, and Secretary to the Board Judy Garza by telephone.

The Board recessed the meeting to go into Executive Session at 5:32 p.m. The open meeting reconvened at 5:40 p.m. Joining the meeting were: President Peter Likins and Ms. Carla Nunn in the Rincon Room of the Student Union, University of Arizona, in Tucson; President Clara Lovett and Ms. Barbara Williamson in the Board Room of the Babbitt Administrative Center, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff; and Mr. Tony Seese-Bieda, Ms. Norma Salas, and Ms. Peggy Martin in the Conference Room of the Central Office. A member of the radio press was present with Dr. Lovett in Flagstaff.

President Gignac summarized the process that had been followed in selecting a new Executive Director. Superintendent Keegan joined the meeting at this time. President Gignac thanked the Regents for their work on this important task, especially Regents Herstam and McKay who had taken extra time to talk to several prospects. She also thanked Executive Director Besnette for all the time and effort he had exerted to make this search a success.

Upon motion of Regent McKay, seconded by Regent Munger, the Board unanimously selected Dr. Linda Blessing to be the new Executive Director of the Central Office. Her appointment will begin July 1, 1999. Her compensation will be $150,000 per year. All the Regents expressed their great satisfaction with Dr. Blessing's decision to accept the appointment as they all believe she will be an excellent Executive Director. Several Regents voiced their appreciation to Regent Gignac for the outstanding job she had done as Chair of the Search Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.

SUBMITTED BY:

________________________________
Judy E. Garza
Secretary to the Board

APPROVED BY:

________________________________
Judith A. Gignac
President

ATTEST:

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Kay McKay
Secretary