March 28, 2024

College of Business gets new director of technology

The Haslam College of Business’ Office of Technology Integration Services has a new head director as of Monday, March 2.

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Everyone welcomes Geoffrey Freeman as the new technology director by signing a whiteboard.

The Haslam College of Business’ Office of Technology Integration Services has a new head director as of Monday, March 2.

Geoffrey Freeman is a retired brigadier general for the United States Army Reserve and a 1978 alumnus of UT’s College of Communications.

Freeman stepped into his new office for the first time on Monday to assume the role of Director of Technology, a role that was temporarily filled by senior technologist Kerry Roehr during the three year interim.

“It’s very similar to what I’ve been doing for the last sixteen years,” Freeman said.  “I worked for the Medical University of South Carolina, pretty much in the same position. I had a really good experience as an undergrad here, and coming back to UT — it’s kind of a dream job. I loved Knoxville when I was here before, and I’ve always wanted to come back.”

Freeman also said that he was impressed by the ambition shown by the Haslam College of Business staff.

“Everyone here told me the same thing, and that was, ‘Our goal is to be in the top 20 business schools in the nation in five years,’ Freeman said. “It is unusual to find organizations that are that specific, with that kind of definite goal. That’s the kind of goal you like in the army — we’re going to go take that hill, right there, got it? Very specific. That’s the kind of goal I like. Not only do you have a goal, but everyone understands the goal, and it sounds like everyone will be pulling in the same direction.”

Freeman hopes to take some time to get acquainted with the people, technology and systems currently in place before determining how he can make strategic improvements.

Edited by Jessica Carr

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