Former interim chancellor of UMKC to be named interim UM System president

Although the University of Missouri System Board of Curators remained mum at Thursday’s board meeting, a co-worker confirmed that former interim UMKC chancellor Gordon Lamb would take over as interim UM System president.

Lamb is the founding manager and director of EFL Associates, an executive search firm.

Kristen Faust, manager of client services for EFL Associates, said Lamb will take a leave of absence from the firm but will return after serving in this position.

Faust said Lamb provides a unique perspective as someone who has been on both sides of the executive search process in higher education. In addition to having served as an interim chancellor, Faust currently conducts searches for leadership position candidates in higher education.

“If you look at his bio and what he’s done, he’s impressive,” Faust said.

Lamb joined the firm and established the higher education practice in 2000.

“He’s done a fabulous job for EFL Associates, and he’s going to be back after he’s the interim president,” Faust said.

Faust said Lamb’s selection for the position was an honor for the firm.

“It represents the type of people we have in our education practice,” she said.

Faust said Lamb makes a point to know his clients, a style of leadership that will carry over into his new position.

“He knows them. He’ll bring leadership where they need it. ...,” she said.

Lamb will be officially announced as the interim president of the UM System at a press conference on Friday, said UM System spokesman Scott Charton. The conference will follow the board’s 1 p.m. closed meeting in the Ozark Room, on the second floor of the Havener Center at the University of Missouri-Rolla.