Robert Lazar Named Chair of UAlbany School of Business Advisory Council

Robert W. Lazar, chosen to chair the UAlbany School of Business Advisory Council. (Photo Mark Schmidt)

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 28, 2010) -- Robert W. Lazar, CPA and former president and CEO of the New York Business Development Corporation, has been named chairman of the University at Albany School of Business Advisory Council.

As chair, Lazar will advise Dean Donald Siegel and faculty on the School of Business' continuing emphasis on entrepreneurship, which includes a new undergraduate program in entrepreneurship, a social entrepreneurship partnership with the School of Social Welfare, and the recent victories of MBA students in national and regional business plan competitions. The school is also underscoring the power of human enterprise with the development of entrepreneurship centers in the new School of Business building, planned for 2013, devoted to technological entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship.

Lazar has used his extensive social network to provide opportunities for learning and jobs to students and graduates, and to benefit the school through financial support. Through the New York Business Development Corporation, he provided the first corporate gift toward the planned School of Business building, a $50,000 donation. Lazar was instrumental in obtaining NYBDC support for a classroom and the MBA team suite. He has shared his expertise with students as Executive in Residence. Lazar provided invaluable education experiences for students when he arranged campus visits from Kevin Warsh, the youngest member of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Hugh Johnson, the nationally-known economist and chairman of Johnson Illington Advisors.

Lazar's former colleague from the NYBDC, Vice President Cedric Carter, is also a member of the School of Business Advisory Council as are numerous successful Capital Region executives.

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