UD names new chair for board of trustees

University of Dayton alumnus David Yeager has been named to chair the UD board of trustees, the university announced Tuesday.

Yeager, who graduated from UD in 1975, chaired UD’s presidential search committee last year and played an integral role in hiring Eric Spina as the university’s 19th president. Spina began his new job July 1.

“I’m honored to serve as chair during this important presidential transition,” Yeager said in a statement. “Dr. Spina is a collaborative, visionary leader, and the board looks forward to working with him to shape the University of Dayton’s future.”

Yeager, who lives in suburban Chicago, is chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Hub Group Inc., a large transportation management company.

He succeeds Steve Cobb, chairman of Henny Penny Corp. and a 1986 UD alum. Cobb recently finished his three-year term, as did Bro. Ed Brink.

“The best leaders model the behavior they value,” Spina said in a statement. “With Steve Cobb, I witnessed a compassionate, patient, savvy leader who sought and valued a variety of perspectives. …

“Dave Yeager brings a thoughtful, deliberate style that I admire. He’s a strong listener who led the presidential search in a manner that met with respect from Marianists, faculty, staff, students and alumni.”

Yeager earned his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1987. He graduated from UD in 1975 with a chemistry degree.

On his LinkedIn profile, Yeager lists animal welfare, children, education and the environment among the causes he cares about.

UD also announced three new trustees to it 36-member board:

• Margaret Cavanaugh, a scientist who attended UD and holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Catholic University of America.

• Brother Francisco T. González, S.M., M.D., director/president of Colegio San José, a Catholic, Marianist school for boys from grades 7-12. He holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Puerto Rico.

• Richard J. Pfleger, a UD grad and retired vice president of worldwide sales for Juniper Networks.

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