Bryant University President Ronald K. Machtley today announced the appointment of Tim Paige as Bryant’s Vice President for Human Resources, effective September 6, 2016. In this cabinet-level position reporting to President Machtley, Paige will play a vital role in ensuring that Bryant continues to hire, develop, and nurture talented faculty and staff who will propel Bryant to the next era of growth and success.

“Bryant’s greatest strategic resource is people,” said President Machtley. “The University’s growth is the result of the hard work and dedication of the many staff and faculty who have executed on a shared vision for excellence. I look forward to Tim’s leadership as the Bryant team works together to deliver exceptional, innovative education for success in an age of unlimited global opportunity.”

Paige will leverage his multinational corporate success and higher education experience to design and execute HR strategies that drive organizational effectiveness, employee engagement and growth.

Over the course of a distinguished career that began at LTV Steel Corp. and continued at Frito-Lay, Inc. and Libbey Inc., Paige has been involved in the architecture of strategic culture and business transformations. Now, he joins Bryant’s executive leadership team to build organizational performance that aligns with Bryant’s strategic priorities of differentiation, innovation, and internationalization.

Record of success at Libbey Inc.

For 19 years, Paige has served as chief human resources officer for Libbey Inc., a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of the glass tableware, dinnerware, and serveware in more than 100 countries, with reported revenues of $822 million and 6,500 employees in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

He has led the HR aspects of all of Libbey’s acquisitions and divestitures in the U.S. and abroad, and has significant experience heading up workforce issues in China specifically.

In addition to his many contributions to Libbey’s evolution from a U.S.-based manufacturer to a publicly traded global brand leader, Paige has been a long-time leader and advocate for higher education.

“The transformational power of education has inspired me to make the transition to a full-time commitment to this important work,” said Paige. “Contributing to Bryant’s mission in this role is exactly what I want to be doing next.”

As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Paige built relationships with college presidents across the region to understand the challenges institutions face in the increasingly competitive higher education market. As a member of the Defiance College Business Council, he forged partnerships to build bridges between the school and local businesses.

Paige will leverage his multinational corporate success and higher education experience to design and execute HR strategies that drive organizational effectiveness, employee engagement and growth at Bryant University.

Leading an 11-member team

As Bryant’s Vice President for Human Resources (VPHR), Paige will lead a long-serving team of 11 full-time staff dedicated to providing opportunities for health and wellness, intellectual stimulation, and community engagement to all employees. Bryant employs 665 full- and part-time employees, including 164 faculty members. Bryant also employs an adjunct and contingent workforce of approximately 187 annually. The VPHR serves as the EEO/Affirmative Action Officer and ADA coordinator at the University, and co-coordinates Title IX. The VPHR is also involved with international HR matters.

Paige’s accomplishments at Libbey include leading the company’s HR function from a labor relations and personnel department to the strategically relevant business-focused function it is today; overseeing the implementation of a new, fully integrated cloud-based system for performance and succession management, individual development planning and talent acquisition; leading wholesale revisions to the company’s retirement and health care programs; and implementing a training curriculum and system for the development of organizational and position-specific competencies.

A graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern European history, Paige is excited by Bryant’s integration of business and liberal arts. “I appreciate that Bryant provides an education that crosses traditional disciplinary lines and educates students in a way that reflects the realities of life and business today.”

Succeeds Linda Lulli

This appointment concludes an expansive national search conducted by Sage Search Partners that targeted candidates inside and outside of higher education with a focus on a commitment to diversity and inclusion, a strong track record of success in leading change, international experience, excellent communication skills, and a talent for team-building.

Paige will succeed Linda Lulli, who is retiring from her position after serving with distinction for 19 years as Bryant’s chief human resources officer. “Linda’s exemplary leadership will be greatly missed,” said President Machtley.

The VPHR search committee was chaired by Glenn Sulmasy, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, and Michelle Cloutier, Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Members of the search committee were:

• Diya Das, Associate Professor, Management
• Steve Bannon, Director of Public Safety
• Bill Smith, Director of Athletics
• Brian Britton, Associate Vice President for Campus Management
• Karen Maguire, Director of Editorial Services, University Relations
• Kevin Martins, Assistant Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
• Roger Anderson, Executive Assistant to the President and Tenured Professor, Management
• HR Liaison:  Erika Paquette, Associate Director, Human Resources

Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. The University’s groundbreaking programs have been nationally recognized by organizations including the Davis Educational Foundation and Hanover Research. Founded in 1863, Bryant University has approximately 3,700 graduate and undergraduate students from 35 states and 85 countries. Bryant University is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, College Factual, and Barron’s.