WASHINGTON — Former Greater Washington Board of Trade president and chief executive Jim Dinegar has joined American University’s Kogod School of Business as director of the school’s Center for Business in the Capital.
The center is designed to provide relevance and value to the regional business sector by leveraging Kogod’s academic resources.
“The business school realizes that there is abundant business here to engage with on research, programs, student involvement and more,” Dinegar said in an emailed statement to WTOP. “At a time when businesses need workers, this place is graduating real talent.”
Dinegar stepped down as head of the Board of Trade in October, a position he had held since 2006. His ex-wife passed away last spring after battling breast cancer and he said at the time, he wanted to spend more time with his two young children.
“It feels like the right fit,” he said, referring to his new role at the university. “The kids are doing well and are on firm ground. It is good all around.”
Dinegar brings a wealth of experience in the Washington business community with him to his new role at AU, having served on the Board of Trade through the recession sequestration, administration changes, transportation issues and the region’s ongoing business initiatives.
“We set out to create a center that connects this excellent university to the regional business community in meaningful and valuable ways. By bringing Jim on board, who served as president and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade for over a decade, we take a big step toward delivering on this promise,” said Kogod Dean John Delaney.
Jack McDougle, former deputy undersecretary of economic affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, succeeded Dinegar as president and chief executive at the Board of Trade.
