William E. Mayer to Speak at U-Md. Business School Commencement

College Park, Md. – May 15, 2009 — The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced that William E. Mayer, senior partner of Park Avenue Equity Partners, chairman emeritus of the Aspen Institute and former dean of the Smith School, will deliver the keynote speech at the May 22 graduation ceremony. Mayer will address approximately 1,000 Smith School undergraduate, master and doctoral graduates at the 4 p.m. event at the Comcast Center on the university’s College Park campus.

“Bill Mayer is a great inspiration for our students,” said G. “Anand” Anandalingam, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. “He has been so successful in business, yet emphasizes the importance of considering societal impact when making decisions as a leader – values we’re emphasizing at Smith and preparing our students to take with them as they go out to become agents of positive change in the world.”

Mayer is a graduate of the University of Maryland, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1966 and his MBA in 1967 after serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He began his career at the First Boston Corp., now Credit Suisse, and during his 23 years with the company progressed from analyst to president and chief executive officer. In 1999, he formed Park Avenue Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in middle-market companies. He is chairman emeritus and serves on the executive committee of the Aspen Institute, an international organization that fosters values-based leadership.

From 1992 to 1997 Mayer served as a faculty member and dean of the University of Maryland’s business school. He remains deeply involved with the university, serving as co-chair of the $1 billion “Great Expectations” capital campaign to ensure the institution’s future. He has been chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees and is currently on its executive committee.