Frank J. Navratil, professor of economics and finance in the Boler School of Business at John Carroll University in Ohio, has joined the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business as interim dean. Navratil, who previously served as Boler's dean as well as an economist for the federal government, began serving a one-year appointment on Sept. 3.

Navratil has been at John Carroll University since the 1970s, serving in various capacities as business professor, department chairman, and administrator. He also was a visiting scholar and financial economist for the Federal Home Bank Board (1983-84) and a financial economist for the National Credit Union Administration (1978-79). During his career, he has published widely in academic journals on business and educational topics ranging from how to conduct strategic planning for a successful business acquisition, to student applicants' perception in college choice, to ways that colleges and universities can enhance faculty effectiveness.

"I am exceedingly pleased that Frank Navratil has agreed to join the Merrick School of Business for this important year of transition for the school," said UB Provost Joseph Wood. "He brings a wealth of experience, including with the business school's accrediting body, AACSB, and he will keep Merrick moving forward as we take time to search nationally for a permanent dean."

Navratil has received a number of honors and accolades for his performance, including the Wasmer Teaching Award from the Boler School of Business (2011) and the John J. Kahl, Sr. Award for Creative Leadership from the John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association (2005).

Among his many activities in teaching and scholarship, he has served as a senior lecturer for the University of Rijeka in Croatia through a United States Information Agency grant, and as principal co-investigator for a report, "Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating and Acquiring Mortgage Loans: The Use of Estimated Prepayment Rates," for the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Navratil has published in a number of leading academic journals, including the Journal of Finance, the Journal of Financial Research, the Journal of Portfolio Management, the Southern Economic Journal, and others.