New Board Chair and Vice Chair Profiles

On April 30, President Lee Eliot Berk announced the election of Allan T. McLean as Berklee's fourth chair of the board of trustees and Vivian Beard as the board's new vice chair. McLean succeeds William M. Davis, chair since 1992, who is retiring from the body after 22 years of service. Under Davis's stewardship of the board, Berklee enjoyed remarkable growth in size, capability, and stature within the global music industry.

"Will Davis has made inestimable contributions to the success and life of the college," said Berk. "It is difficult to imagine the vibrant Berklee we see today without the tireless efforts of Will and his wife, Jessica. We are deeply in their debt."

Newly elected chair Allan McLean became acquainted with Berklee in the early 1970s and was asked to join the board of trustees in 1977. Since 1992, he has served as the board's vice chair, board liaison to the college's Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and in various other roles.

"For nearly a quarter of a century, Allan has shown his commitment to Berklee, most recently as cochair of the New Trustees to raise funds for City Music scholarships, and as chair of the trustee Annual Fund solicitation," said Berk.

"I am truly honored to follow Will Davis as chair," said McLean, "and I'm excited to serve the college and the board in this new capacity. My association with the college has afforded me opportunities to affect, in small ways, the lives of our students. Berklee is a remarkable institution, unique in all the world. I look forward to the challenges set forth in the college's strategic plan, and all that they will mean in increased capability for our students, faculty, and alumni."

A resident of South Natick, Massachusetts, McLean is vice president of William J. Lynch and Associates, a company associated with Fleet Boston Financial. He is chair of Metrowest Health, Inc., and a trustee of both Metrowest Emergency Physicians, Inc., and the Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Corporation.

New vice chair Vivian C. Beard was elected unanimously to the position by her fellow trustees. She has been a member of the board since 1998. Over the past three years, Beard has been an active and supportive member of the board. She was a moving force behind the establishment of the Sarah Vaughan Endowed Scholarship Fund, Berklee's first scholarship to be awarded specifically to an outstanding African American musician on an annual basis.

"I am personally committed to doing everything possible to help the musically talented and underrepresented become Berklee graduates," said Beard. "This is a fascinating time in the life of the college, and I am very excited to be a part of Berklee's leadership team."

Beard, a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, is director of equal opportunity for MassHousing. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Advisory Committee on Women's Issues and the Governor's Diversity Initiative, and serves on the boards of a number of civic and cultural organizations.

Also a gifted jazz and r&b vocalist, Beard has released a CD titled Our Day Will Come, and performs at special events and area jazz clubs.

"In addition to a background that is rich in public service experience," said Berk, "Vivian has contributed her other identity as a jazz singer to raise funds to benefit the Sarah Vaughan Scholarship Fund. She is a shining example of trustee commitment to the well-being of Berklee students."