Orlan M. Johnson, Patricia S. Florestano Begin Terms as Chair, Vice Chair of USM Board of Regents

Adelphi, Md. (July 1, 2011) -- Orlan M. Johnson and Patricia S. Florestano today begin terms as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012.

Regent Johnson is a partner in the law firm Saul Ewing's Business and Finance Department and co-chair of the firm's Securities Transactions and Regulations Practice Group. He was initially appointed to the board in July 2002. More biographical information on Regent Johnson can be found at http://www.usmd.edu/regents/members/o_johnson.html.

Regent Florestano, a former professor of government and public policy who served as Maryland Secretary of Higher Education from 1995 through 2000, has served on the board since March 2001. More biographical information on Regent Florestano can be found at http://www.usmd.edu/regents/members/p_florestano.html.

Also effective today, the USM welcomes two new members to the Board of Regents, Baltimore attorney David Kinkopf and 2011-2012 Student Regent Collin Wojciechowski, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Earlier in 2011, the Maryland Senate also confirmed the reappointments of Regents Barry P. Gossett and James L. Shea, both of whom were appointed to their inaugural term in February 2007.

Regent Kinkopf, a partner at the Baltimore law firm Gallagher, Evelius and Jones, assumed the board vacancy left by Regent Clifford Kendall when the 2011 fiscal year ended on June 30. Regent Kendall has served the maximum number of five-year terms allowed.

A 17-member Board of Regents, including one full-time student, governs the University System of Maryland. Appointed by the governor, the regents oversee the system's academic, administrative, and financial operations; formulate policy; and appoint the USM chancellor and the presidents of the system's 12 institutions. With the exception of the student member, each regent is appointed for a term of five years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The student regent is appointed for a one-year term and may be reappointed. Regents serve on the board without compensation.

The University System of Maryland comprises 12 institutions, two regional higher education centers and a system office. USM provides access to excellent higher education opportunities, performs groundbreaking research, offers vital services to communities and individuals and fuels economic and workforce development.

For more information about the board, visit http://www.usmd.edu/regents/.

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu