The former University of Akron executive who was behind the failed “Ohio’s polytechnic university” rebranding effort has found a new job.
Larry Burns, UA’s former vice president for advancement, this week started as the new president and chief executive of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation in Detroit.
Burns left UA shortly after president Scott Scarborough stepped down in May, after facing heavy criticism over several of his initiatives.
Scarborough recommended Burns for the UA job. They worked together at the University of Toledo, where Scarborough was provost and Burns was vice president of external affairs. Burns was hired by UA in February 2015 and worked there until July 6 of this year.
As vice president of advancement at UA, Burns was responsible for growing enrollment and fundraising, marketing, branding, community and business partnerships and government and alumni relations. But he and Scarborough faced the biggest criticisms by students, faculty, alumni and community leaders about the rebranding attempt of UA as “Ohio’s Polytechnic University.”
Ironically, one of the key reasons for Burns’ hire at the hospital foundation was his successful rebranding efforts at the University of Toledo.
Matt Friedman, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees, said Burns was the best candidate out of dozens of professionals who applied for the job.
“We didn’t expect to hire someone from out-of-state, but although Larry hasn’t lived in Michigan for awhile, he’s been consistently connected to the community,” Friedman said. “He worked at Children’s Hospital in development early in his career and is very well remembered. He has great experience in connecting people as a relationship builder, proven fundraising experience and proven brand building experience. He introduced the University of Toledo to the Detroit market and the foundation is one of the best brands in the market so we think he can take it to the next level.”
Burns is a Detroit native.
“I am delighted and honored to have the opportunity to work with an outstanding board of trustees, staff and hospital and medical leadership as we continue to grow the foundation and serve the children of Michigan,” said Burns. “In many ways this is an opportunity to go home after 27 years. I’m really excited. I worked at Children’s Hospital early in my career before I moved to Toledo. I ran a capital campaign, Caring for Kids, to raise money to build a new ambulatory care center.”
The foundation has $100 million in assets, about 85 percent of it restricted to research.
The chair would not share how much the foundation will pay Burns.
Under his separation agreement with the UA, Burns was to receive a one-month paid leave and one year of monthly payouts of his base salary of $285,000, unless he found a new job within the year. Since he found a new job, the university is able to reduce those payments by up to $60,000, meaning the university will only have to pay $225,000.
He also was to be paid for accrued vacation time through Aug. 5. Since his departure on July 6 to now, there has been a total of $72,664.89 in salary and monthly payments, as well as a payment of $24,115.52 for accrued vacation time.
Burns said he and his wife, also a Detroit native, are in the process of moving and are looking for a home in the Detroit area.
“I’m fond of my time in Akron. I’m sorry it was so short, but I made a lot of friends. I congratulated Matt Wilson on his new position as UA president,” Burns said. “I’m leaving the community with some fond memories and some disappointments, but we all move on in a positive way.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.