The UNC Board of Governors has picked a search firm to lead the hunt for the next UNC System President.

Members of the board met and phone-conferenced Friday at the Spangler Center of UNC-Chapel Hill to hear a report from the Presidential Search Committee that has met three times since April 20.

Committee Chair Joan MacNeil reported that 18 search firms were initially considered, and 14 responded to a request for a presentation.

Representatives from four firms were interviewed in person. One Boston-based firm with offices in D.C and San Francisco made the final cut.

“Today, we bring to you our recommendation that you approve hiring of Isaacson, Miller to support our presidential search,” said MacNeil. “I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the decision of the committee.”

MacNeil said that the presentation by an Issacson, Miller representative resonated for the “thoughtfulness, abilities and background” it brought to the table.

A proposed resolution before the board authorizes MacNeil to negotiate and sign a contract with Isaacson, Miller, and report to the board. That motion passed unanimously.

The proposed expense budget for the search is around $114,000, plus whatever figure is negotiated with Isaacson, Miller.

Board of Governors Chair John Fennebresque noted that Isaacson, Miller has conducted more education executive searches than any firm in the nation.

Board member Frank Grainger weighed in with enthusiasm.

“I just thought his total resume was the strongest of anybody that we saw,” said Grainger.

Fellow member Champ Mitchell said he’d heard good things about Isaacson, Miller from recently retired Duke University Provost Peter Lange. That news was well-received by the board.

Fennebresque added that he felt the need to make one crucial point when speaking to the Isaacson, Miller representative.

“One thing he’s short on is searches for our system,” said Fennebresque. “And we made it very clear to him that this president needed to know a whole lot about North Carolina – the state, the system, the regions – and he understood that.”

A public input session for the presidential search will be held 7 p.m. Monday at the Harris Alumni Center at UNC Charlotte.

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