Brandman University Announces New Member of the Board of Regents

IRVINE, Calif., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandman University, a fully accredited adult university within the Chapman University System, today announced Ed Grier will join its Board of Regents.  Grier, who retired from The Walt Disney Company after 28 years of service in its senior leadership, has already assumed his responsibilities on the Board of Regents of the 50-year-old adult education institution.

Grier brings a substantial business background as he assumes his role on the Brandman University Board of Regents. Grier began his professional career with Ernst and Young as a member of the audit staff in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He joined The Walt Disney Company in 1981, and during his nearly 30-year career, he rose through the company's ranks gaining broad cross-functional experience in the finance, marketing and operations divisions. He served in several executive leadership positions with responsibility for multiple lines of business both in the United States and abroad.

Highlights include managing marketing development at Disneyland Paris, serving as general manager for operations at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, and time in Tokyo as vice president, representative director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan.  Grier was named president of Disneyland Resort in 2006 with full responsibility for the Resort's nearly $2 billion in revenue and a workforce of 20,000.  As president, Grier led the development of a $1.2 billion capital plan to expand Disney's California Adventure theme park and Grand Californian Hotel.  He is currently the Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business.

"Brandman University is fortunate to have someone with such impressive business experience and accomplishments join us during such an important time of growth for the University," said Brandman University Chancellor Gary Brahm.  "Ed has a keen understanding of branding as well as operations in large, complex organizations.  Both of these skills will be enormously helpful to Brandman University as we aspire to become the premier institution for the growing adult student population in the western United States."

About Brandman University

Brandman University, formerly Chapman University College, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and focuses on meeting the unique needs of the more than 10,000 working students it serves both online and through 25 campuses in California and Washington. Brandman University is part of the Chapman University system and is known for providing students with more than 200 degrees, credentials, certificates and professional development programs. www.brandman.edu.

About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University (www.chapman.edu) is one of California's oldest, most prestigious private universities and is home to over 4,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students at its home campus in Orange, California.

SOURCE Brandman University