Muhammad Ali Center Announces New Board of Directors Leadership

LOUISVILLE, KY (February 9, 2009) … The Muhammad Ali Center is proud to announce that Dr. Shirley Willihnganz, Provost for the University of Louisville, has been named as its new Chair of its Board of Directors.  Willihnganz replaces Jonathan Blum who served as Chair for the past two years.  Also, Stephen Reily, CEO and Chairman of IMC Licensing, was elected Vice-Chair and Ron Murphy, CEO of The Glenview Trust Company, as the new Secretary/Treasurer.
          “We are extremely fortunate to have such strong leadership on our board,” says Greg Roberts, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center.  “Dr. Willihnganz is a great asset to have as our new Chair, especially since the University of Louisville has been such a significant partner of the Ali Center.  We look forward to building on that relationship in the future as we expand our educational programming.”
          “I am both humbled and excited to be appointed the Chair of the Ali Center,” said Dr. Willihnganz.  “I look forward to working with the board and staff to make sure that those in the community and beyond have the opportunity to experience the Center’s exhibit space and programming. The greatness of Ali’s legacy needs to be celebrated so people know and remember what an incredible human being he is. I am proud that this position will help educate others that the Center is not just a building—but rather an organization committed to peace, hope, and justice in our world. It is a place that focuses on raising the level of human potential.”
          Willihnganz has served as Executive Vice President and University Provost at the University of Louisville since 2004 after serving in an acting capacity from Spring 2002.  In addition, she has served on many College and University-wide committees as well as the boards of the Louisville Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Cardiovascular Innovations Institute, the University Medical Center, Women4Women, the Speed Art Museum,  Leadership Louisville, Greater Louisville, Inc., and Family Scholar House.
          Stephen Reily is the CEO and Chairman of IMC Licensing, the nation’s leading full-service licensing agency representing consumer product brands, and Founder and CEO of VibrantNation.com, the first online destination for women 50+.  Reily has served on the governing boards of the Speed Art Museum; River Fields, Inc.; Louisville Collegiate School; the Downtown Development Corporation; and Christ Church Cathedral.
          Ron Murphy joined Citizens Fidelity Bank and Trust Company as Chief Investment Officer.  He held other positions including Executive Vice President of Private Banking and Vice Chairman of PNC Investment Management and Research before serving as Managing Executive of PNC Investment Advisory Company from which he took early retirement in 1999.  Mr. Murphy is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Financial Counselor.  Currently, he is chairman of the 2007 Fund for the Arts Campaign and he serves on the boards of Bellarmine University, Metro United Way’s Alexis de Toqueville Society, Fund for the Arts, Norton Healthcare Finance Committee and The Louisville Orchestra. 
          “We're thrilled about the Board’s unanimous nominations of Shirley Willihnganz, Stephen Reily, and Ron Murphy,” said Jonathan Blum.  “All of these individuals have passion for Muhammad Ali's ideals, tremendous intellect and a desire to build on the success of the Center.  We are proud to have balanced our budget for the third year since we opened the Center in 2005, and we're excited about our future and the global impact we are having on helping people, especially children, find the greatest within themselves."