The Columbus College of Art and Design announced today a replacement for departing CCAD president Denny Griffith. Award-winning industrial designer and branding expert Thomas White will take the reigns following Griffith’s departure on June 30th.
“Tom’s career accomplishments, combined with his passion for creativity and commerce, made him the ideal next president of CCAD,” said Robert P. Restrepo Jr., chair of the CCAD board of trustees and president, chairman and CEO of State Auto Insurance Companies. “He has the perfect blend of experience in academia and business. His expertise in branding, marketing and business development presented a skill set the search committee recognized as key for today’s competitive higher education marketplace.”
White was previously the vice president of corporate development at Co-Optimum Connect+ in Sherman Oaks, California, and has business leadership experience in technology design, marketing, advertising and branding with Citicorp, Lockheed-Martin, RKS Design and EDG Visual Communications in the Netherlands. White led the strategic planning effort for the Savannah College of Art and Design and has taught drawing and industrial design at multiple California campuses. White earned his undergraduate degree in industrial design at California State University, Northridge, and his MBA at Pepperdine University.
“CCAD is a college with a rich legacy in an amazing city,” said White. “We have unlimited potential to deliver value to a growing population of creative thinkers that seek a quality education. I’m here to build on the value of CCAD regionally and nationally. Collaboratively, we will lead the college into a new era of growth.”
For more information, visit www.ccad.edu.