Marriott School Names Robert J. Parsons as Chair of Public Management

PROVO, Utah — Sep 07, 1999 — The Marriott School at Brigham Young University has announced the appointment of Robert J. Parsons as chair of the Romney Institute of Public Management.

He will replace Larry C. Walters, who served as chair of the department for the past four years. Parsons will assume his new responsibility immediately.

"We are pleased to have a man of Robert's talent, intelligence and commitment accept this assignment," said Ned Hill, dean of the Marriott School. "He brings with him a distinguished national reputation in the field of hospital administration and an outstanding record of teaching and university citizenship."

A respected leader in health care policy and economics, Parsons has taught at BYU since 1970 in both the economics and the public management programs. During his tenure at BYU, he served as associate dean of the Marriott School for four years.

"We are committed to building a nationally recognized public management program," Parsons said. "Working with the exceptional faculty, staff and students in the Romney Institute, we will continue to provide graduates that will bring ethical training to public and not-for-profit organizations throughout the world."

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Parsons has received national recognition for his research and service in health care administration. He is one of thirty trustees nationwide to serve as a member of the Committee on Governance for the American Hospital Association, and has also acted as a trustee for the Urban South Region of Intermountain Health Care.

A recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for professional, administrative and teaching excellence, Parsons has received an outstanding professor award from the Marriott School in 1991, the National Advisory Council in 1987 and the Master's in Health Administration in 1986 and 1987.

Parsons is the author or coauthor of many articles and research reports. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from BYU, his doctoral degree in economics from the University of California, and a post-doctoral study in health economics from the University of Michigan.

Walters, who was instrumental in establishing the endowment that created the George W. Romney Institute of Public Management in 1998, will return this semester to full-time teaching and research in public policy analysis and public budgeting. A recipient of a National Science Foundation grant, Walters will also dedicate his research to decision making in the public sector relative to land use and transportation issues.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally ranked programs in accounting, business management, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurship. The mission of the Marriott School is to educate men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders throughout the world. Approximately 5000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.