McDaniel College has named Leonard Arvi, Ph.D., as the inaugural dean of its new School of Business and Technology following a national search. Arvi will officially join the college on Aug. 1 ahead of the school’s planned launch in fall 2027. As McDaniel’s first comprehensive school, the School of Business and Technology will bring together programs in accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, and management under one academic division.
Arvi brings nearly two decades of higher education leadership and teaching experience, currently serving as chair of the finance department at Salisbury University’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, where he has also taught finance since 2008. During his tenure, he helped establish the Judkins Family Financial Research Center and became actively involved in entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, including serving on the board of the Shore Hatchery startup competition for Mid-Atlantic entrepreneurs. In 2024, he also participated in a regional artificial intelligence consortium involving Salisbury University, the University of Baltimore, and Frostburg State University.
In addition to his academic leadership, Arvi is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in finance, real estate investments, artificial intelligence, and information technology. His professional background includes work as a software engineering analyst and IT strategist at the Stock Exchange of Thailand. He has also remained deeply involved in community and financial literacy initiatives throughout the Delmarva region, partnering with organizations such as the Maryland Council on Economic Education, Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, and ProjectREAD to support educational outreach and economic development.
Arvi’s contributions to teaching, mentoring, and public service have earned him numerous honors, including the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Excellence Award for Mentoring and the Salisbury University Alumni Association Faculty Appreciation Award. He holds advanced degrees in finance from Florida International University, a master’s degree in computer science from the Asian Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Joseph’s College.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to develop a school that builds on McDaniel’s strong tradition of academic excellence and student-centered learning,” Arvi said. “I’m eager to help shape a clear vision for the school that will prepare graduates for successful careers and contribute to the economic growth and innovation in the region.”
LifeBridge Health has appointed Brian J. Cawley as president and chief operating officer of Carroll Hospital in Westminster, effective June 29. He will also serve as senior vice president of LifeBridge Health.
Cawley joins Carroll Hospital from MedStar Health in Baltimore, where he was senior vice president of operations for two hospitals. He has more than 25 years of experience in hospital operations, healthcare finance, strategic growth, and physician practice management in Maryland.
He previously worked at LifeBridge Health as vice president of operations at Northwest Hospital and helped lead the system’s Community Physician Enterprise.
“Brian’s passion for patient-centered care and proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships will undoubtedly strengthen our team and enhance the care we provide to our community,” said Leslie Simmons, Carroll Hospital’s interim president and LifeBridge Health’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Cawley holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare management from Towson University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland, where he studied internationally at the Erasmus School of Economics in the Netherlands.
He is a long-serving member of the Towson University Healthcare Management Advisory Board, a former adjunct faculty member, and an active community leader with organizations including the American Red Cross Central Maryland Regional Chapter.
Carroll Hospital, part of LifeBridge Health, has served its community for more than 60 years and operates a comprehensive medical campus with a nursing and rehabilitation center.
