Jim Griesemer

Strategic Issues Program Chairman Jim Griesemer, PhD.

Jim Griesemer is professor and dean emeritus at the University of Denver and serves as director of the University's Strategic Issues Program. His background includes extensive public sector executive experience and nearly 20 years of experience in higher education. During his career he has taught management and strategy at the University of Denver, the University of Colorado and Aurora University in Illinois.

From 1994 to 2004 Dr. Griesemer served as dean of the Daniels College of Business. During his tenure the College increased its enrollment by 70 percent, quintupled its endowment, constructed a new state-of-the-art building, saw a major expansion in degree programs and gained a national reputation for excellence.

The Daniels College was recognized as one of the top 50 business schools by the Wall Street Journal in 2003; in 2004 the Journal ranked Daniels as one of the top 10 regional schools in the U.S. and ranked its business ethics program one of the top five in the world.

Before becoming dean, Dr. Griesemer served as chief financial officer of the University of Denver, where he helped lead the financial turnaround of the University.

Prior to joining the University of Denver, Dr. Griesemer had extensive experience in public administration serving as city manager of several cities across the U.S. including Aurora, Colo. from 1984 to 1990. During his city management career he was the recipient of national and regional awards for excellence including, among others, the National Innovation Award in public finance. He was named Outstanding Public Administrator in Colorado by the University of Colorado's School of Public Affairs.

Dr. Griesemer is active in the community, recently having served as chair of the Finance Committee of the Denver Infrastructure Task Force and chair of the Colorado Economic Futures Panel. He has served as a trustee of the Colorado Symphony and is a trustee of the Iliff School of Theology.

Dr. Griesemer is the author of two books and is a frequent speaker on strategic management for businesses and institutions. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Northern Illinois University and a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.