Gary Forsee

Gary is a Kansas City native and also lived in all 4 corners of the State….St. Joe, Moberly, Joplin, Hannibal, Charleston, and Cape Girardeau…in addition to time in St. Louis.

He is a graduate of The University of Missouri-Rolla, now Missouri S&T, with a degree in Civil Engineering. He also has been awarded an Honorary Professional Engineering and an Honorary Doctorate from Rolla.

He began his working career with Southwestern Bell TelephoneCompany in 1972 in Kansas City and had a 36 year career in the telecommunications industry, with roles at AT&T, Global One Communications in Brussels Belgium, Sprint, and the Bell South Corporation. He returned to Sprint in 2003 assuming the role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. After the merger with Nextel Corporation in 2005 he served as Chief Executive of Sprint Nextel until his departure in late 2007.

He was appointed the President of the University of Missouri System in late 2007 and served in that role until early 2011. He led the System’s four campuses of UMKC, Missouri S&T, UMSL, and MIzzou during that time period.

He has served on numerous public and not for profit boards including currently the Boards of Trane Technologies and Ingersoll Rand. He previously served on the Boards of EVERGY, DST and FreightQuote among others. He has recently served on the UMKC Bloch School and UMKC Foundation Boards. He previously chaired the National March of Dimes Board of Trustees. He chaired the inaugural Governors Summit to facilitate cooperation between Kansas and Missouri, chaired the Chamber’s Big 5 initiative on The Animal Health Corridor’s Global Symposium. He has received the Henry Bloch Award for Community Relations, Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and was recognized as the Kappa Sigma Fraternity International Man of the Year.

He is married to Sherry…for 49 years! They have two daughters, both graduates of Mizzou, and 6 grandchildren!