3/22/01

Carolyn Manning, Alumni Association, (650) 725-0686; email: Carolyn.Manning@stanford.edu

Elaine Ray, News Service (650) 723-7162; e-mail: elaineray@stanford.edu

Hennessy names Howard Wolf president of Stanford Alumni Association

President John Hennessy has named Howard Wolf, a Stanford alumnus and business leader, president of the Stanford Alumni Association. Wolf will succeed William Stone, who retired at the end of last year.

Hennessy's choice follows a national search by an 11-member search committee.

"Howard has an enthusiasm for Stanford that is absolutely contagious," Hennessy said. "He has consistently displayed his devotion over the last 20 years as a tireless volunteer and supporter of the university. His experience in the business world gives him the skills necessary to take the association to an even higher level of excellence. In short, his creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit make him an ideal choice at this very exciting and challenging time for Stanford and the Alumni Association. We are delighted to have him on board."

Mary Cranston, chair of the search committee and firm chair at Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, said the committee believed Wolf, the founder and president of FastMark, Inc., had the perfect combination of skills for the position.

"We felt Howard's strong business background, paired with his exceptional talent for leadership and communication, were a terrific match for the requirements of the job," Cranston said. "Furthermore, he brings this experience to bear in a dynamic and engaging way that we are sure will bring great benefit both to the alumni and the university at large."

Wolf, a member of the Class of 1980, earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at Stanford before receiving a master's in business administration from the Harvard Business School. He founded FastMark, a publishing and licensing firm, in 1994. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and managing director for Cornish & Carey Realty Advisors. He also was a senior vice president and partner at William Wilson & Associates, a commercial real estate development and management firm.

Wolf received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Stanford Associates last year and was the events co-chair for his 20-year class reunion. He has been a volunteer for numerous Stanford committees, events and panels.

Wolf said he was excited "beyond measure" to be making his way back to Stanford.

"As an active alum and volunteer, I have thoroughly enjoyed remaining connected to the university," Wolf said. "Now, in this new role, I have that rare opportunity to turn one of my avocations into a vocation. I look forward to working with the SAA team, the SAA Board of Directors and our alumni volunteers. We all share a common goal: to reach, engage and serve all Stanford alumni as we try to foster a lifelong intellectual and emotional connection between the university and its graduates."

As president of the 75,000-member association, Wolf will be responsible for planning, directing and managing alumni relations, programs and services. He also will be part of the university's senior management team, with particular responsibility for advising the president and provost on alumni affairs.

Wolf will assume his new role in mid-April.

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