Marriott School Appoints New MBA Director

PROVO, Utah – Jan 15, 2014 – The Marriott School of Management appointed John Bingham, an associate professor of organizational leadership and strategy, as the new director of the Brigham Young University MBA program, succeeding Craig Merrill after six years of dedicated service in the position.

“John is a serious scholar and a superb teacher,” says Lee Perry, Marriott School dean. “He is gifted in connecting with students, especially MBA students. We appreciate his willingness to serve in this new role, and we pledge to support him both as an academic and a leader.”

For more than 50 years, the BYU MBA program has provided future business leaders with the skills needed to succeed in a global marketplace. Perry applauds the past MBA directors who guided the program to where it is today.

“I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to Craig Merrill for his inspired leadership of the MBA program throughout the past six years,” Perry says. “Craig will leave a healthy and thriving program behind when he steps down.”

Under Merrill’s leadership, the BYU MBA program was ranked No. 4 overall and No. 2 for placement in the west. He bolstered the program by emphasizing high academic standards for current students and strengthening relationships through alumni outreach.

As this transition takes place, Merrill will return to teaching as a professor of finance and his associate director, Monte Swain, will become the professional stem group leader in the School of Accountancy. Their dedication and service have allowed them to hand a strong program over to Bingham as he steps into this new role.

“Dr. Bingham is a star professor in the BYU MBA program,” Merrill says. “He has been teaching the core OBHR course for many years and has consistently been one of the most appreciated faculty in the program. He is a gifted scholar and teacher who will work well with all who are involved in the MBA program.”

Bingham has served as an associate professor for the past eight years teaching organizational behavior and human capital management. He has received multiple awards for his work with students at Brigham Young University including the Outstanding MBA Mentor Award and the Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, among others. His knowledge and expertise have landed him a solid reputation among students and faculty alike.

“I am humbled to serve the students and the college,” Bingham says. “The MBA program touches many important stakeholders; to positively influence our impact on them is really exciting. I hope to continue a culture of excellence in attracting, selecting and developing exceptional men and women of faith, and placing them with the very best companies.”

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.