Banker takes reins of Regents

• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Dec 4, 2008 - Page: 14A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Louisiana’s top higher education board unanimously approved its first black chairman Wednesday as board members decried tough economic times coming next year.

Shreveport investment banker Artis Terrell Jr. will step in as chairman of the Louisiana Board of Regents in January with 3rd Judicial District Attorney Bob Levy, of Ruston, becoming vice chairman.

Terrell, who is the vice chairman, and Levy combine for an Interstate 20 leadership team.

Terrell, 40, said he looks forward to continuing the coalition-building leadership styles of recent chairmen Pat Strong, of Franklin, and Roland Toups, of Baton Rouge.

“And we’ve got to deal with budgetary cuts that might be on the horizon,” Terrell said.

Despite money problems, he said the state’s colleges must find ways to graduate more students and educate more of the state’s poorer students.

Strong, the outgoing chairman, said Terrell will be great.

“He’s so easy to get along with,” Strong said.

While Terrell is typically one of the quieter board members, Strong countered Terrell’s “insight is amazing.”

Terrell, who was first appointed by Gov. Mike Foster, is serving his seventh year on the board after being reappointed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

Strong said it conveys a lot that the Regents will now have a black chairman.

“It’s important, but I haven’t given it any thought at all,” Terrell said with a laugh.

Terrell, who graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, is a principal in the Williams Investment Group investment banking firm, with headquarters in New York.