University of Kentucky Provost David W. Blackwell has named Warren W. Rosenthal Professor of Marketing Steven J. Skinner to the position of interim dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Skinner begins his new duties immediately. Blackwell had served as dean of the Gatton College until his appointment as UK's provost.

"Steve has served the Gatton College and the University of Kentucky for many years as an outstanding scholar and teacher," Blackwell said. “I have full confidence that his skills, knowledge and institutional history will benefit the college well during this time of transition.”

A member of the Gatton College faculty since 1982, Skinner has a strong record of administrative leadership, having served as director of the School of Management, chair of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain, and associate dean for Graduate Programs. Skinner played critical roles in restructuring the School of Management into three new departments, leading a revision of the one-year MBA curriculum, and early planning of the UK-UofL Executive MBA program, among many other accomplishments over his long career. He has also contributed as a member or chair of many college and university committees and task forces.

Skinner earned his doctorate in business administration, focused on marketing and statistics, from UK, and his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Illinois State University. In 2005, Illinois State inducted him into the ISU College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame.

“Working with the outstanding faculty and staff of the Gatton College, I have been impressed by the scale and scope of the college’s activities, and the impact we have through professional activities, teaching and research,” Skinner said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in this role as interim dean as we continue to advance our college.”

Skinner will work closely with Blackwell to continue the strategic initiatives laid out in the college’s strategic plan, “Building a Community of Leaders: A Blueprint for Excellence,” as well as on the recruitment of a permanent dean for the college.