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Monday, October 20, 2008

Schmidly's Son Turns Down Job

By Martin Salazar
Journal Staff Writer
          Less than a week after accepting a $94,000 a year job at the University of New Mexico, Brian Schmidly, son of UNM President David Schmidly, has withdrawn from the post, saying he did not want to operate in a position where he would not be effective.
        Brian Schmidly, marketing director for Centex Homes, was selected for the newly created job of associate director of sustainability last Monday. The hire sparked heated criticism from several faculty and staff. The president of the staff council had said that staff felt demoralized after hearing of the hire and that they were questioning whether he received preferential treatment.
        Brian Schmidly informed physical plant director Mary Vosevich of his decision over the weekend.
        "I care too much about sustainability in this state and the University of New Mexico to operate in an advocacy role in which I would not be effective, and my wife has convinced me that my integrity and reputation are too valuable to continue in an environment where they will be questioned indefinitely," Brian Schmidly said in a statement issued by the university Sunday evening.
        "It is important to both of us that I assert once and for all that I applied for this job in good faith, and took part in an open hiring process that I was assured and believe to this day was proper and scrupulously fair."
        UNM also issued a statement from President Schmidly in which he reiterated that he had nothing to do with his son getting the job.
        "My wife and I have always been and continue to be proud of all our children, never more so than now," the president said. "I had nothing to do with Brian's getting this job, and I had nothing to do with his and his wife making this difficult decision, but my wife and I both respect their wishes."
        It's unknown whether Vosevich will go back to the pool of applicants who met the qualifications for the position, reopen the search or take other action. UNM spokeswoman Susan McKinsey said Vosevich was going to take some time to explore her options.
        The new position was mandated under a policy adopted by President Schmidly in June. Although specifics haven't been worked out, the associate director of sustainability will generally spearhead development and implementation of UNM's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
        Brian Schmidly was one of 33 applicants for the position who met the minimum qualifications. He was one of eight people interviewed by Vosevich and one of two who went on to be interviewed by a three-person committee.
        He emerged as the top pick of both Vosevich and the committee.
        The university turned over all 33 applications to the Journal in response to a request under the state's Inspection of Public Records Act. A review of those applications and resumes found that Brian Schmidly beat out engineers, award-winning environmentalists and state and UNM employees who have been working in sustainability fields for years.
        Brian Schmidly graduated with a bachelor's in Latin American studies from the University of Texas and a master's degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz.
        Many of his credentials directly related to sustainability were obtained in September, the same month he applied for the job.
        Vosevich has said she chose Brian Schmidly because of his marketing and business experience.
        Brian Schmidly had already signed his employment letter and was slated to begin his new job Oct. 29.
        Gary Scharnhorst, a distinguished professor of English at UNM, had been among those criticizing the hire. On Sunday, he said he was glad to hear that Brian Schmidly had withdrawn.
        "I congratulate him on his commendable decision," Scharnhorst said.