This past November, Robert L. Dimit became executive director of the Society for Advancement of Management. He replaces William H. Latham, a former S.A.M. executive director who returned to fill the post temporarily upon the resignation of Donald G. Begosh last June 30.
Dimit brings to this position experience in office and financial management, planning and organizing meetings and activities, media communications, and membership growth.
Bob Dimit obtained his B.S. in business administration from Ohio State University. He served as a naval officer in the Korean War. In 1955 Dimit went to work for the AAA as a management trainee in Steubenville, Ohio. He moved on to become a manager in the AAA’s Ashland, Kentucky, office and was subsequently promoted to secretary/assistant treasurer for the company at its branch in Akron, Ohio.
While at the AAA, Dimit became a volunteer for the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation, which owns and operates Stan Hywet Hall-a 65-room Tudor revival house that serves as a museum and a civic center (and was formerly the home of Frank Seiberling, founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company). In 1968, he was asked to join the foundation’s board of trustees, and in 1969, he was named executive director.
In this position, Dimit’s responsibility was to increase museum admissions (which he did through a radio and t.v. campaign) and to recruit and train volunteers. The volunteers were needed to develop programs and special events, serve as hostesses and museum guides, run the gift shop, plan the annual crafts festival, and run membership campaigns.
Bob Dimit’s interest in managing organizations as different as the AAA and the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation is matched by his enjoyment of hobbies equally diversified. He is both an elder of the Presbyterian Church and a vice· president and board member of Akron’s Weathervane Community Playhouse. Dimit describes himself as “a voracious reader of history.” The theater and reading got together recently, and Dim it finished the first draft of a play.
Asked how he feels about leaving the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation to become executive director of S.A.M., Dimit commented, “When I went from the AAA to the museum, it seemed completely different. But it wasn’t, really and this isn’t either the settings are different but the principles of management remain the same. I hope to bring to my job here at S.A.M. my background in working with people which is what I’ve done all my life.” SAM-NI
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