Global supply chain management specialist Bertie Greer will become the new Rist Family Dean of the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell on November 1.
Greer is associate dean of the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University in Michigan, where she manages strategic planning and operations.
“Bertie’s achievements as a scholar, her leadership and industry experience, and her vision and enthusiasm for advancing the Manning School of Business made her the clear choice to usher in the next era of business education and research for our students and faculty,” said Joseph Hartman, provost and vice chancellor of academic and student affairs.
Greer was happy and honored to join a UMass Lowell family of excellent researchers and instructors with a strong academic culture and a major influence on students’ social mobility.
Greer stated the Manning School of Business’s instructors and staff are impacting students, companies, families, and communities.
She stated she was eager to lead the Manning School into the future with outstanding professors, staff, students, strong leadership, and external stakeholders. “Together we’ll develop innovative programs, degrees, and outcomes to help students realize their dreams and ensure the Manning School achieves new heights.”
Two Manning School graduates praised Greer’s appointment.
“After speaking with Bertie Greer, I’m so excited for UMass Lowell’s current and future business students,” said Rob Manning, a proud UMass Lowell alum and business school namesake. “With Bertie’s leadership and an outstanding faculty, I’m confident the quality of instruction and research will only accelerate.”
Alumnus Brian Rist agreed.
“It’s clear that with Bertie Greer as its new dean, the Manning School of Business will continue its ascent as one of the premier institutions for business education and scholarship,” said Rist, who with his wife, Kim, has generously supported the business school and programs across UMass Lowell, including the Rist Family Foundation Endowed Deanship Greer will hold.
Greer taught and chaired the Northern Kentucky University Department of Management for 15 years until joining Wayne State in 2016. She also taught at Bowling Green State University, University of Detroit-Mercy, University of Dayton, and Oakland University.
She has engineering expertise from Ford Motor Company, Chrysler/Jeep-Eagle, and Timken Roller Bearing.
Greer has a Ph.D. in business administration from Kent State University and a master’s and bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo.
The appointment follows dean Sandra Richtermeyer’s resignation to become Rutgers University-Camden’s provost this summer. Until Greer arrives, Manning School faculty member Steven Tello will serve as temporary dean.
