Richard Margison has announced he will retire this summer after 16 years leading UAB’s finance, facilities, safety and security initiatives as vice president of Financial Affairs and Administration.A search committee chaired by Shirley Salloway Kahn, vice president of Development, Alumni and External Affairs, will lead a national search for Margison’s successor, and an effective date for his retirement will be determined in the coming weeks; a window of July 1 through Aug. 31 has been set.
“I am feeling good about leaving at a time when a tremendous team is in place that will provide great continuity and service as the institution stays on track with what is absolutely an upward trajectory,” said Margison, who joined UAB in April 1998.
“Richard has been a tremendous asset to UAB, providing steadfast, confident leadership through tremendous growth and challenges,” UAB President Ray Watts said. “All of us at UAB and in Birmingham owe him a deep debt of gratitude both for his results and for the way he led.”
Margison has helped play a key role supporting positive growth in relationships with the city, business leaders, surrounding communities and partner entities, including Southern Research Institute and the UAB Research Foundation. His most outwardly notable legacy is his contribution to the physical growth of the campus, which now spans more than 90 blocks.
“I am proud to have played a part in the continuing development of UAB during the past 16 years,” Margison said. “It is rewarding to have seen, not only the physical growth of the campus, but the extraordinary programs and people that are housed in those buildings. I am optimistic for the future of this institution and will man my post for the next several months, working diligently on the many opportunities before us.”