Newswise — Dan Smith, dean of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, today (Dec. 1) announced that James C. Thyen, president and chief executive officer of Kimball International Inc., will lead the Kelley Dean's Council.
The advisory panel, established in 1972, provides advice, counsel and support to the Kelley School's dean and serves as the key interface between its faculty and its business constituents. Over the years, the council has grown in stature and size and now consists of 80 executives from some of the world's most important companies.
"Jim is a solid leader at a very special company and will bring a practical and creative energy to the Dean's Council," said Smith. "Jim's leadership background is particularly relevant in that the competitive landscape for business schools is undergoing dramatic change. Jim has successfully led business transformation initiatives at Kimball, and I am confident that the Kelley School will benefit greatly from his wisdom and insight. I am delighted that he has agreed to serve in this important role at such a critical time in the evolution of business education."
Thyen has been with Kimball since 1966, when he also earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from IU. He advanced at the international furniture and electronics company through managerial experience in numerous business areas, including finance, inventory control, cost management, fleet operations, human resources, and administration and information systems.
He joined the company's board of directors in 1982, and has served as Kimball International's president since July 1997. He was appointed as CEO in January 2004.
Thyen holds corporate directorships with Kimball International and with FM Global of Johnston, R.I. He previously served on the advisory board of Allendale Mutual Insurance Co.
In 2004, he was named by the Securities and Exchange Commission to co-chair the Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies, which was formed to assess the regulatory system under the securities laws for small and mid-sized companies, including the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The committee delivered its final report in April 2006.
He also is a former member of the Vincennes University Board of Trustees, and served as chairman of its finance committee. He was a member of the Community College Policy Committee. He was a director of The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana Inc. and served as chairman of its board of trustees. He also served 10 years as a director of Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Center, based in Jasper, Ind.
Thyen also has a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Xavier University.
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