Maxwell appointed director of McNeely Center

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are pleased to announce that Pat Maxwell has been appointed director of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at CSB/SJU. Maxwell will succeed recently retired founding director Terri Barreiro, who served from 2004-14. 

Maxwell has more than 40 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive and turnaround management specialist in both the business and non-profit sectors. He is a 1966 graduate of Saint John's University with a degree in philosophy, and holds a juris doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law. 

Maxwell has held management positions including board chairman, director, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, vice president and general counsel. He has served as executive director of two membership associations and one charitable organization. Maxwell has started, bought or led 20 businesses and non-profits. The areas he has worked in include manufacturing, insurance, personnel placement, education, business services, food, medical, legal, membership and charitable services. These organizations are located throughout the United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim. 

"In addition to his impressive record and experience as an entrepreneur, Pat is both the product of, and an advocate for, the liberal arts. He has the ideal pedigree to direct an entrepreneurship center at a liberal arts college," said Michael Hemesath, president of Saint John's University. 

Maxwell has served on the Saint John's National Alumni Board and the Saint John's Board of Regents. He currently serves on the Board of Overseers of the Saint John's School of Theology•Seminary. 

Maxwell has also been very active with the McNeely Center. He is currently on the McNeely Center Advisory Committee, and for the past two years he has served as the executive-in-residence for the McNeely Center, mentoring and assisting students. 

"Under Pat's leadership, I am confident that the McNeely Center will continue to focus on our students and their interests," said Mary Dana Hinton, president of the College of Saint Benedict, "and work to provide programming for alumnae and alumni."   

Founded in 2004 by St. Paul, Minnesota, business and civic leader the late Donald McNeely, the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship is an education resource that provides classes, coaching and assistance to entrepreneurs. It builds relationships among and between CSB/SJU students, faculty, alumnae/i and community members to create and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit. Its mission is to create social value and economic opportunity by actively building alliances between students as future entrepreneurs, faculty and experienced entrepreneurs in service to communities, organizations and individuals.