Russell Crook, First Horizon Foundation Distinguished Professor and Cheryl Massingale Faculty Research Fellow at the Haslam College of Business, is the new head of the college’s Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. He officially begins the role on July 1.

“Applying for and accepting this role has been a great opportunity to reflect on my career and experiences, and on where we are as a department,” Crook said. “Fortunately, the department already has a great work environment, along with world-class research and teaching faculty and a wonderful staff.” 

Crook joined UT in 2007. He holds a Ph.D. in strategic management from Florida State University and has published more than 40 articles on topics related to strategy and entrepreneurship. Following an internal search process, Stephen L. Mangum, dean of the college and Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair, announced Crook’s new appointment in April.

“Professor Crook will be an important voice on our leadership team,” Mangum said. “We are confident he will represent the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and the Haslam College of Business well across the campus and in the community.”

Anne Smith will return to the Haslam faculty after serving as department head for seven years. Smith says Crook’s extensive experience has brought him a deep knowledge of what makes the department work well and how to help it move forward.

“Russell has done it all, has the respect of the faculty and has great ideas about how to continue to elevate the department,” Smith said. “He has brought national visibility through his research and has been an outstanding and sought-after teacher at all levels, including Graduate and Executive Education. He will be exceptional at reaching outside the college to business leaders and alumni.”

During the leadership transition, Crook has begun thinking about strategic planning to establish priorities and goals for the future.

“The department is on very solid ground, and I plan to build on what Anne Smith and others have already done,” he said.

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CONTACT:

Stacy Estep, writer/publicist, sestep3@utk.edu