Newly announced Simpson College President Jay Byers was introduced at a press conference on the Simpson College campus Wednesday. Byers said he wants to continue to build on what Simpson has been working towards.

“I am super excited for this opportunity. In many ways I was a non-traditional candidate, and in many ways I’ve been preparing for this position my entire career. We’ve got a lot of exciting momentum that is happening here at Simpson, and I’m looking forward to building on that momentum with the faculty, with the staff, with the students, with the trustees. Continue to move forward on our strategic plan that focuses on recruitment, on retention, and resources. Finding other new opportunities and really to build the Simpson of the future.”

Simpson Board of Trustees Chair Terry Handley said Byers being a Simpson alumnus, a member of the Board of Trustees, and the President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership made him the perfect candidate.

“When you are talking about these next few years and how important it will be to lead Simpson College in a very proactive, a very visionary perspective, it’s all about relationships. Having a historical understanding about Simpson College, having already developed a lot of relationships, to know people on a personal basis and being able to work with those individuals collaboratively, not only on campus but in the greater Des Moines community and across Iowa. Jay is a very genuine individual, and people gravitate to Jay, and they will work with him, and they will support him. He will be out in front. He will lead, and we will be right there on his shoulder.”

Byers will be taking over for current President Marsha Kelliher, who announced her intention to retire this summer, and will be staying on through the transition.