Frank Ayers Named as New Executive Vice President for Embry-Riddle Prescott
Prescott, AZ., September 14, 2009
Prescott, Az., Sept. 11, 2009 - Embry-Riddle President John P. Johnson is pleased to announce that Dr. Frank Ayers has been selected as the Executive Vice President for the University's Prescott campus. Dr. Ayers comes to the Prescott campus after serving as Chairman of the Flight Training Department in the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. He joined Embry-Riddle in 2000 after a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force.
Dr. Ayers takes the helm from former Executive Vice President Dan Carrell, who is retiring after an exemplary 23-year career in campus leadership at Embry-Riddle Prescott.
In his new role, Dr. Ayers is responsible for leading a campus of more than 1,600 students and over 300 employees. He will oversee a full range of academic, operational, and professional activities and set strategic direction in areas such as business operations, enrollment management, academic support, financial aid, and student life. Other responsibilities include leadership at the University Cabinet level, philanthropic initiatives, and external relationships with government and industry.
"Dr. Ayers' successful history with Embry-Riddle and the Air Force, combined with his aviation experience and his business background in academics and university administration make him the ideal person to fill the EVP position," said Dr. Johnson. "We look forward to seeing the results of Frank's expertise, enthusiasm, and leadership as he takes on the responsibility of Executive Vice President for the Prescott campus."
In his previous position at the Daytona Beach campus, Dr. Ayers managed a staff of 250 personnel, including 160 instructor pilots. From 2003 to 2005 he was also the principal investigator for the FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) program, which is developing scenario-based education and training programs for a new generation of technically advanced aircraft. He is rated as an airline transport pilot, a commercial pilot, and a flight instructor.
Dr. Ayers joined the U.S. Air Force in 1974 and held several leadership positions before retiring in 2000 after serving as Chief of Joint Military Education Policy at the Pentagon.
He holds a B.A. in History and Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, an M.S. in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle, and an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University.
"My wife Debbie and I are very excited about this opportunity," Dr. Ayers said. "This is a beautiful place to live, with a spectacular campus and very talented faculty and staff. I'm amazed at the passion our students bring to the Prescott campus, and my goal is to continue to shape the campus into the best academic and flight training experience available. This campus is a place of pride for our university, our alumni, and the community."
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Prescott, Az., and Daytona Beach, Fl., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 130 campus centers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit http://prescott.erau.edu.
