Larry Willard resigned Tuesday after more than six years as president of the UNM Board of Regents to become chairman of the New Mexico Governor's Economic Development Corporation.
Willard, whose tenure at the University has spanned more than 15 years including service on the boards of the Anderson Schools of Management and UNM Hospital, said he will miss working at UNM.
"I've seen it grow so much in the last eight and a half years," he said. "I think I've made a difference over there, but I know for sure that I've grown. The people I've been involved with are great. It's just a neat, neat place."
Also the regional president and CEO of Wells Fargo Bank New Mexico, Willard brought a strong business background to UNM, Reg. Mel Eaves said.
"He really was able to bring that business sense here and apply it to the University," Eaves said. "He also had incredible history and detailed knowledge about this place. He will be very difficult to replace."
Gov. Bill Richardson, who appointed Willard to the new corporation, will likely decide the board's next president, said Carolyn Gonzales, a UNM public relations representative. The board could also elect its next leader, she added.
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Reg. Vice President Jack Fortner will preside over the board's July 15 meeting, Eaves said. The meeting's top agenda item will be laying out goals and objectives for Louis Caldera, UNM's new president.
"I don't expect the regent-president issue to come up at all," he added.
Willard said he thinks any of the current regents could fill the position and that the most important thing is for the board to rally behind whoever takes over.
As chairman of the new corporation, Willard said he will focus on recruiting new businesses to New Mexico and marketing the state in a business context.
The corporation is comprised of 15 members from all over the state and will work closely with New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans to "bring the nation's best companies to this state," Willard said.
"You can't really separate the two entities," he said. "They really go hand in hand. You can't chop off part of it from the other."
Eaves said that given Willard's knowledge of business in New Mexico, "Larry is the perfect choice for the job."
Willard said economic development has been near the top of his priority list for some time, and with Caldera firmly ensconced as the University's next president, it was a natural for him to move on and do new things.
"But it's not like flipping a light switch - something you do over night," Willard said. "Like any other decision you make, it takes time."
Among the challenges of being regent president, he said, were getting legislative, research and grant money into the University and the constant battle of having to raise tuition.
The most difficult task, however, was getting people to focus on the positive things happening at UNM and "asking themselves, 'what can I do for this University?'" Willard said.
Eaves said that besides being a good president for the board, Willard "is also an old friend. He will be sorely missed."
