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Scott Morrison Takes Over as Muma College of Business Senior Director of Development

By Keith Morelli

TAMPA (October 12, 2018) -- A changing of the development guard has happened at the Muma College of Business.

Scott Morrison, a veteran of business development with extensive experience in partnership management both in the Tampa Bay area and New York City, started this month as the new senior director of development. He is taking over for Liz Sismilich, who has been a part of the USF family for more than 20 years, the last four of which has been with the Muma College of Business.

Morrison comes to the Muma College of Business from the private sector. In Tampa, his most recent job was with iHeartRadio, where he was a regional sales executive. He also has worked at Hearst, Media General and, at one time, was a senior marketing manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Prior to moving to Tampa 16 years ago, he was a marketing manager with the NBA in New York City, working in the league's Global Media & Marketing Partnerships Department.

Though he is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, he is a USF Bulls fan and has purchased men's basketball season tickets for several years.

"I came to USF because I've long admired this institution, especially the business program, which I believe is the best in the area, and one of, if not, the best in Florida," he said. "I came here because of this college's emphasis on student success and preparing them for career advancement and leadership roles in their respective organizations.

"And now, with preeminence and the arrival of the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society, I'm excited to be a part of this new era moving forward.

"And," he said, "I think the Bulls football team will win the American Athletic Conference this year."

Morrison said this job is where he wants to make his mark.

"I love Tampa Bay," he said, "and to be a part of this premier educational institution, it's just a great fit."

One of his primary goals is for the team to cultivate new donor relationships, "to bring them into the Muma family," he said, while maintaining all the relationships the college has with current donors, who have given transformational gifts and continue to fund scholarships and programs with the Muma College of Business.

As a member of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Morrison helped start the Emerge Tampa Bay Leadership Program, volunteering alongside many USF alumni, including Mike Griffin, a real estate executive who is on the USF consolidation task force, and Brian Lamb, chair of the USF Board of Trustees. Morrison also is a past recipient of the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award.

"Scott's past work experiences and his commitment to developing and stewarding meaningful relationships with his clients and community leaders will all help him be successful in his new role with the Muma College of Business," said Muma College of Business Dean Moez Limayem.

Limayem said Sismilich, who will stay on to ease Morrison into his new position, will be missed.

Sismilich came to the Muma College of Business four years ago was instrumental in securing the $25 million naming gift from Les and Pam Muma, for whom the college is named.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Liz for the amazing work she has done for us," Limayem said. "As we all know, fund raising is a team sport and I can assure you that Liz has been the MVP on our team."

She is considered a leader in raising philanthropic support for the college, including the $10 million donated by former Raymond James executive Lynn Pippenger, for whom the college's school of accountancy is named.

Sismilich is a USF mass communications graduate and has worked with the university for more than two decades, mostly in the development world.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of the USF Muma College of Business family for the past four years and to have been part of USF – first as a student and then as an employee – for 25 years," she said. "My years at USF have brought many wonderful people into my life and has presented many experiences, memories and friendships that I will cherish."

Before coming to the Muma College of Business, Sismilich was the director of leadership gifts for the USF Foundation, where she oversaw a portfolio of university-wide major potential donors. She collaborated with a team of USF development officers, USF administrators, board members and volunteers to identify and cultivate relationships with the university's principal donors and she participated in efforts to increase USF's engagement with alumni around the country.

"As a proud USF alumna," she said, "I look forward to staying involved with my alma mater. Go Bulls."