Iowa Board of Regents advances one of five semifinalists to fill executive director spot

An Iowa Board of Regents committee on Friday voted to advance just one of five semifinalists to become its next executive director.

The finalist's name wasn't immediately made public.

'The candidate's name will be announced at a later date,” board spokesman Brock Ascher told The Gazette.

He or she won't participate in any sort of public town hall before a final interview - like in the board's searches for new university presidents. The finalist will interview in front of the entire board at its October meeting, Ascher said, after which the board will make a decision.

The board's governance and evaluation committee interviewed its five semifinalists during closed meetings Friday. It had narrowed the pool from 42 applicants, including 12 women. One of the five semifinalists was a woman.

The finalist, if the full board chooses to extend a job offer and it is accepted, would replace former Executive Director Bob Donley, who left in July after nine years, calling it the right time for him personally and for the board.

The board's State Relations Officer Keith Saunders has been serving as interim executive director - making $200,000. That is $50,000 above his current pay and $45,700 above the legislative cap for the position, which he is not subject to as an interim leader.

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