Chris Mason ’84 has been appointed dean of the Offutt School of Business (OSB).
Mason earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. An associate professor of finance, Mason led the development of the school’s finance program.
He is also a founding member of the Global Leadership Council at the OSB, the group that envisioned the business school, and has served as the school’s interim director since 2018.
“We are delighted he will continue to provide leadership of the Offutt School of Business as dean,” said Dr. Susan Larson, dean of the college.
During his time as interim director, Mason has worked collaboratively with the Enrollment and Marketing Division on recruitment efforts, provided leadership on the development of an entrepreneurship minor and undergraduate certificate, and partnered successfully with the Advancement Division in securing philanthropic support for the Offutt School.
“Mason is a champion for the value of studying business in a liberal arts context and he is a tireless supporter of students, often seen at their sporting events and arts performances,” Larson added.
Mason started teaching part time in the OSB once the school was up and running, eventually moving to full time and then into the interim director position. When asked what drew him to the Offutt School, Mason said he looked forward to the opportunity to shape the culture and provide a business perspective to the business of educating.
With more than 35 years in the finance, entrepreneurship, and higher education industries, Mason has held a number of positions including president of FINOVA Public Finance, vice president of Bell Atlantic TriCon, national sales manager of TriContinental Leasing, portfolio manager at Merrill Lynch, and senior portfolio manager at UBS Financial Services. In 2012, he founded the Fontis Companies and serves as chair and chief investment officer.