BRISTOL – Tim Baxter is the new chairman of the Roger Williams University board of trustees, the school announced on Oct. 29.
A member of the Class of 1983, Baxter is the first RWU alumnus to hold the position and will be the seventh board chair.
He replaces the previous chair, Richard L. Bready, who stepped down from leading the school’s board late last week.
“Given my longstanding history with Roger Williams University, I am honored to serve as chair of the board of trustees,” said Baxter in prepared remarks.
In a statement commenting on the appointment, Interim President Andy Workman said: “Tim Baxter’s election as chair of the board of trustees inaugurates an exciting new era in the development of RWU. … His perspective as an alumnus and his experience at the helm of a major technology company will inform our work to continue the dynamic development that has characterized the university since its inception.”
Baxter currently serves as the president and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America, where he is responsible for continued growth of the company’s upward of $30 billion consumer and enterprise business. Prior to working at Samsung, Baxter was employed with Sony Corp. of America for a decade, rising to senior vice president of strategic marketing.
In fact, in 2012, six years after Baxter joined the firm, RWU and Samsung partnered to develop collaborative learning environments for students in the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation and the School of Continuing Studies, now known as University College at Roger Williams University, featuring 27-inch LED monitors and access to Samsung’s cloud technology.
Graduating in 1983, Baxter holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from RWU and is the recipient of a 2015 RWU honorary degree. He is also the parent of an RWU Class of 2013 graduate.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
