Henry Stoever Named President and CEO of Association of Governing Boards
Savvy Corporate Governance, Marketing, Communications, and Business Development Professional Brings Critical Skills to Lead AGB
Henry Stoever, chief marketing officer at the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), was named the next president and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) during the opening session of the association’s National Conference on Trusteeship today. Stoever will begin his tenure on July 1, 2019, succeeding Richard D. Legon, who is retiring after 13 years as president.
Stoever, 53, brings to AGB a deep understanding of the importance of citizen governance and a wealth of experience in building on the strengths of a member-focused organization. In his current role, he oversees NACD’s marketing, partner relations, and board-development teams, helping to provide insights on critical issues that shape board agendas for the largest association of corporate directors in the United States.
Prior to NACD, Stoever spent four years at Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation. He has also held a number of marketing leadership positions for CoStar Group, Inc., Sprint-Nextel Corporation, LexisNexis Group Inc., and Kraft Foods, Inc. Stoever, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, also served for five years in the United States Marine Corps, resigning at the rank of captain.
“AGB is excited to welcome Henry at such an important time for higher education, when trustees need a partner in their efforts to secure the future of our industry,” said David W. Miles, chair of the AGB Board of Directors. “He’s the perfect choice to carry forward the work of the association as it nears the beginning of its second century of service, particularly as we continue our Transformation Initiative, which ensures we are providing the right services at the right time for each of our members. In addition, as a trustee of the foundation at his alma mater, the United States Naval Academy, Henry has a very real sense of the challenges confronting those men and women who volunteer to serve our institutions.”
“Higher education is key to the future of our country in many ways,” Stoever said. “It is the single greatest producer of thoughtful and engaged citizens, a highly skilled and motivated workforce, and the kind of research and innovation that has put our nation at the forefront of discovery.”
“AGB is a vital partner for those who lead colleges and universities and ensure they are meeting their missions in a meaningful way,” Stoever continued. “At a time when higher education is the subject of much scrutiny and doubt, AGB is a powerful force to help extend the reach of its expertise, services, and research into each and every boardroom across the country. I look forward to helping trustees lead with confidence in the boardroom.”
When he becomes the president and CEO of AGB later this year, Stoever will be responsible for the leadership and operations of the $17 million, 52-person national organization, serving more than 1,300 boards, and representing more than 40,000 individual trustees, across more than 2,000 member institutions, systems, and foundations nationwide. Stoever’s new leadership role will champion AGB’s educational and advocacy work and expand AGB’s consulting services, including the work of AGB Search, a wholly-owned private company of AGB.
“Among the things that most impressed the search committee was Henry’s deep understanding and extensive experiences with membership engagement,” said Shauna Ryder Diggs, chair of the search committee and chair-elect of the AGB Board of Directors. “I know that as Henry assumes the role of the presidency of AGB, his first priority will be reaching out to members and stakeholders to learn about the diversity of our sector and learn how AGB can better anticipate the needs, concerns and desired services. I am confident that our members will find Henry a committed and mission driven partner in higher education.”
In addition to his service as a trustee for the United States Naval Academy’s Academic and Scholarship Foundation board, Stoever is a member of the Board of Directors for the Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors, and previously held positions on the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake Bayhawks and Bethesda Lacrosse. He was also a visiting professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business from 2010 to 2014. He holds a B.S. in economics from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA in marketing and strategy from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Stoever and his wife, Glenn, reside in Alexandria, VA. He is the father of five children.
AGB was assisted in the search by Korn Ferry.