天美影院installs new board chairman
Sep 30, 2019
Paul Olivier was installed as the new chairman of the 天美影院Board of Trustees on Sept. 26, 2019, during a ceremony in Sacred Heart Chapel.
After one board meeting, a fellow trustee approached him in the parking lot. 鈥淧aul,鈥 the trustee said, 鈥測ou don鈥檛 get Providence, do you?鈥
鈥淣o I don鈥檛,鈥 Olivier replied.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not complex,鈥 the trustee said. 鈥淭he Sisters tell you what to do, you do it, and they call it 鈥楶rovidence.鈥欌
That long ago exchange continues to evoke laughter. It also reminds Olivier, 67, the new chairman of the board of trustees, of an important truth: He is here to advance the mission of the university鈥檚 founders, the Congregation of Divine Providence.
鈥淥ur mission is to continue this legacy that was started 125 years ago,鈥 Olivier said. 鈥淲e have a legacy of giving and developing and being a beacon for lots of folks in this city. We鈥檝e never lost sight of that. It鈥檚 always been about others, not about us.鈥
Elected to succeed Roy Terracina as board chair, Olivier brings a history of leadership and service to the position. He serves on the boards of Project Quest, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Home and the Catholic Community Foundation. He volunteers at the Guadalupe Community Center. For 41 years, Olivier enjoyed a stellar career at Frost Bank, retiring in 2017 as group executive Vice President.
鈥淚 spent much of my career facilitating the retail assimilation of over 20 bank acquisitions,鈥 Olivier said. 鈥淎long with our organic growth this led to a statewide retail distribution of over 130 branches and 1,500 plus employees.鈥
He came to San Antonio and to OLLU, providentially. After graduating with two degrees from Louisiana State University, Olivier found himself married and unemployed. His wife, Evelyn, however, had secured a job as a medical librarian at University of Texas Health San Antonio. Olivier鈥檚 father offered sage advice: Follow your bride.
After Evelyn went to work, Olivier went to Frost Bank. He got a job and in time came to work under Senior Vice President Clarence 鈥淐.J.鈥 Krause, the first lay person elected as 天美影院board chair. Krause became a mentor. He introduced Olivier to the special charism of the university and to a frequent visitor at Frost bank: 天美影院President Sister Elizabeth Anne Sueltenfuss.
Five years after Krause died, Olivier joined the 天美影院board. Twelve years later, he serves as its new board chair. He enjoys a large family 鈥 three grown children, Elizabeth, Allison and Nicholas, and seven grandchildren, all girls 鈥 and serving the 天美影院community.
鈥淭his is a good university and we will make it better,鈥 Olivier said. 鈥淥ur job is to add to this legacy, not just enjoy the legacy. Through my eyes, I see the culture, the spirit and the mission growing.鈥