Dr. Charley Deal has been named executive director of research, outreach and economic development at the University of Tennessee at Martin, effective Feb. 1, 2019. UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver made the announcement Jan. 30 after conducting a national search for qualified candidates.

“After spending 14 years as associate vice chancellor for alumni relations and annual giving and a year as interim director of research, grants and contracts, I feel Dr. Deal has a unique blend of knowledge and experience to keep UT Martin moving forward in this new position. He has a special touch with both the campus and external communities, including donors and legislators, and I am confident he will be able to help us make an even greater, positive impact on our city, our region and our state in the years to come,” said Carver.

Deal, currently serving as special adviser to the chancellor and interim director of research, grants and contracts, will lead the newly created Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development. This new position reports directly to Carver and works closely with the UT System’s Office of Government Relations and Advocacy in support of state and regional relationships. Deal will also be responsible for oversight and compliance of university-sponsored programs, and the promotion and coordination of outreach activities including non-degree programs.

He has worked at UT Martin since 1992 and served in the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving from 2004-2018, moving from assistant to associate vice chancellor. Deal is also executive director of the university’s regional WestStar Leadership Program. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from UT Martin and a doctoral degree in learning and leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He received one of four University of Tennessee President’s Awards in 2018 and was the only UT Martin nominee to be recognized that year.

“I am truly excited about the opportunity to build upon our university’s success in research and outreach and lead our efforts to expand economic development opportunities across West Tennessee,” said Deal. “As part of the university’s strategic plan, we want to be West Tennessee’s university of choice for problem-solving programs and opportunities for personal growth. I am grateful to Chancellor Carver and the search committee for providing me this opportunity.”

Dr. Phillip Acree Cavalier, university provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, served as chair of the search committee, which included representation from UT Martin faculty and staff as well as an outside representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Committee members were Harriet Cannon, assistant to the state director and administrative programs director for the USDA (retired); Dr. John Oelrich, director of bands and associate professor of music; Dr. Kelli Deere, director of the UT Martin Parsons Center; Landy Fuqua, director of the Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center; Dr. Mark McCloud, director of the Office of Career Planning and Development; and Dr. Rachna Tewari, associate professor of agricultural economics.

For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.

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