Thunderbird's statement on Cabrera's move to Mason [DOCUMENT]

Thunderbird School of Global Management released a statement Thursday morning congratulating its current president Ángel Cabrera on his new position as George Mason University's sixth university president.

The statement, signed from Ann Iverson, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees, comments on the “indelible mark” he has left upon the Glendale, Arizona school of international business. It also gives an overview of successes the school has seen under Cabrera's leadership, which began in 2004.

The presidential transition at Thunderbird will be managed by its Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, according to the statement. The process is “underway” and the Trustees plan to identify candidates during the first quarter of 2012.

Cabrera will succeed President Alan Merten in July 2012, when the 16 year president steps down from his position and takes on the capacity of President Emeritus.

The full text of the statement is pasted below.

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(GLENDALE, Ariz.) December 15, 2011

Statement by Ann Iverson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Thunderbird School of Global Management, regarding the appointment of Thunderbird President Dr. Ángel Cabrera as the next president of George Mason University:

I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Angel Cabrera on his appointment as president of George Mason University. Dr. Cabrera is a supremely talented global executive who will be an outstanding leader for George Mason.

In his nearly 8 years at Thunderbird, Dr. Cabrera has left an indelible mark upon the school. In 2006, he oversaw the re-branding of the school with an explicit mission to “educate global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide.” This effort, in conjunction with Dr. Cabrera’s high-profile work with the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and many other institutions, has strengthened Thunderbird’s presence on the world stage and has reinforced the school’s image as a champion of business solutions to global challenges. He also led the recently-completed $65 million Capital Campaign which resulted in new money for scholarships, the creation of academic centers of excellence, and investments in the school’s infrastructure. Most recently, through his leadership of the Thunderbird 2020 strategic plan, Dr. Cabrera has launched a bold new vision, which has the school poised to dramatically grow its impact throughout the world.

Dr. Cabrera will remain at Thunderbird through June, 2012. The transition will be managed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. This process is underway and we expect to identify candidates during the first quarter, 2012.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Cabrera for his service to Thunderbird and wishing him well in his new appointment.

Ann Iverson
Chairman
Thunderbird Board of Trustees