Kent State University Announces New Goodyear Executive Professor

Kent State University has announced the selection of Leo Plante as the Goodyear Executive Professor in the College of Business Administration. Plante is a self-employed investment manager and venture capitalist who previously worked in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs and Citibank.

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company established the Goodyear Executive Professor position at Kent State in 1973 under the direction of Charles J. Pilliod, then the chairman and chief executive officer of Goodyear. The position was intended— and continues — to provide a connection between the academic and business communities.

“Given the recent financial turmoil, it’s a great time to have an executive from the financial services sector here at Kent State to work with our students,” said Rick Schroath, associate dean of the College of Business Administration at Kent State.

Prior to joining Kent State, Plante taught finance and economics at several colleges and universities. Beginning this fall semester, he is teaching the Financial Management course to Master of Business Administration (MBA) students.

Plante is a graduate of Brown University and holds advanced degrees in finance, economics and ethics from Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania and Weston Jesuit School of Theology (Boston College), respectively.

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Media Contacts:
Rick Schroath, fschroat@kent.edu, 330-672-1101
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595