Park University - UMB President Will Talk About Mortgage Crisis in Park Lecture

Peter deSilva will talk about the mortgage crisis in the U.S. on Monday, Sept. 29, in a new executive lecture series sponsored by the School of Business and Management at Park University.

deSilva is president and chief operating officer of UMB Financial Corp., and chairman of UMB Fund Services. The one-hour lecture, part of the Dean's Distinguished Executive Lecture Series, will begin at 4 p.m. in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University's Parkville Campus. A reception will be held after the lecture at the Copley Quad Residence Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

This marks the inaugural lecture in the Park University School of Business and Management Distinguished Executive Lecture Series, which is designed to bring leading business executives, policy experts and respected scholars to address major issues concerning industry, economic environment, entrepreneurship and globalization.

Alphonso Ogbuehi, dean of the School of Business and Management at Park, said the purpose of the new series is to help further the school's mission of providing the highest quality of management education by exposing students, faculty, staff and the local community to key industry leaders and policy makers. The series, he said, also will provide unique perspectives on the forces that impact the competitiveness of the U.S. economy in a global economic landscape.

"We're very excited about the new series and about our first speaker," Ogbuehi said. "deSilva is well recognized in the community, as well as a leading voice for business in the region and a qualified expert on this topic."

deSilva serves as a board member of Park University, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, The Kansas City Symphony, Students in Free Enterprise and The United Way of Greater Kansas City. He is also a member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.

He joined UMB in January 2004 and is responsible for developing overall strategic direction and ensuring execution of the company's key strategies and plans. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and has direct oversight for all lines of business, including asset management, brokerage, treasury management, consumer banking, mutual fund services and correspondent banking. He is also responsible for the bank's operational platform and technology development.

Prior to joining UMB, deSilva spent 16 years in the financial services industry working for Fidelity Investments, Boston, in numerous roles including seven years as senior vice president for Fidelity Brokerage Co.

For more information, contact Ogbuehi at (816) 584-6568 or alphonso.ogbuehi@park.edu. Those interested in attending the event should make reservations by contacting Danita Hodges, (816) 584-6200 or danita.hodges@park.edu.

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