Michelin CEO Jim Micali (left) and former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley talk during a special reception this week held in honor of Micali's being named a Senior Fellow at the Riley Institute.  Micali has also served as the university's first Distinguished Executive in Residence.

      As a Distinguished Senior Fellow in Political Economy and Leadership Management, Micali will serve as a member of the Riley Institute Advisory Council.  In addition to working with the Institute to develop programs in political economy, leadership management and public policy, he will present lectures, lead seminars and participate in conferences.

      "As chairman and president of Michelin Group's North American operations, Jim Micali has a remarkable grasp of international economic issues," said Don Gordon, director of the Riley Institute.  "And under his leadership, Michelin has contributed immensely to the economic, social, and cultural progress of this state and region.  He will bring a valuable perspective to the Riley Institute and we are very much looking forward to working with him."

      The Riley Institute is a non-partisan program affiliated with the Department of Political Science at Furman.  It is named for former Governor of South Carolina and U.S Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who is also a Furman graduate.  The Institute's broad array of programs is designed to engage students in the various arenas of politics, public policy, and public leadership.

      Micali has had an active role in the academic life of Furman during the past year.  He was also the university's first Distinguished Executive in Residence during the 2002-03 academic year, where he taught special seminars for the Economics and Business Administration Department.

      Micali was appointed chairman and president of Michelin North America, Inc., which is headquartered in Greenville, S.C., in September of 1996.  He joined the company in 1977 and held a number of legal positions, including two assignments in France, through 1985. 

      Micali became a member of the Michelin Group's Executive Council in July of 2001.  He is a graduate of Lake Forest College in Illinois and holds a juris doctor degree from Boston College Law School.

      Micali serves on the boards of several charitable organizations in Greenville, including St. Francis Hospital and the Peace Center for the Performing Arts.  He formerly served as chairman of the board of the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

      Micali becomes the third Senior Fellow for the Riley Institute.  The others are Dr. James Guth, the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Political Science at Furman and one of the nation's top experts on religion and politics; and Deedee Corradini, former mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah.

      For more information, contact the Riley Institute at 864-294-3280 or visit the Riley Institute's Web site at http://www.furman.edu/riley.

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# 85, 2-13-04