A Legacy of Leadership with President Emeritus Bryan Carlson
After nearly two decades of leadership, Bryan Carlson, President Emeritus of The Registry, has stepped down from the organization that he helped shape and grow into a cornerstone of higher education leadership. What began as a chance opportunity blossomed into a journey that not only transformed The Registry but also contributed to the success of countless colleges and universities across the nation.
A Surprising Beginning
Bryan Carlson’s path to becoming President of The Registry started with an unexpected phone call. At the time, he was serving as president and CEO of the New England Exchange for Executive Leadership (NEXEL), a role he enjoyed and had not anticipated leaving.
“I had a great life at NEXEL, working alongside George Matthews. But Alan Koenig, a longtime colleague, reached out one day and asked if I’d be interested in succeeding Dr. Thomas H. Langevin as president of The Registry,” Bryan recalls. “I wasn’t sure at first. George and I were starting a new venture, Collegiate Enterprise Solutions, and I needed to talk things over with him.”
Dr. Langevin, founder of The Registry, had been a visionary in the field of interim leadership for higher education and was preparing for his well-earned retirement. After thoughtful consideration, and with George Matthews’ encouragement, Bryan agreed to explore the opportunity.
“I think George saw something in this role that I hadn’t fully realized yet,” Bryan reflects. “It felt like the right next step at the time.”
Expanding the Mission and Impact
When Bryan stepped into his role as president, The Registry’s membership was relatively small, but he recognized its vast potential. “We had fewer than 300 members, but there was so much untapped potential,” he recalls. His first big decision was to expand the scope of The Registry’s work to include cabinet-level leaders in addition to presidents.
“We started by reaching out to provosts, CFOs, and vice presidents — leaders who were ready to step into the interim roles but who might not have been part of the original vision. It was a huge shift, but it really worked,” Bryan says.
As The Registry’s membership grew, so did its impact. “There’s a unique strength in the leadership network we’ve built,” Bryan says proudly. “We’re not just placing interim leaders; we’re connecting a community of experienced, dedicated professionals who understand the challenges facing higher education today. These leaders bring stability, insight, and mentorship to institutions during their most critical transitions.”
This expansion helped The Registry flourish, adding hundreds of new members and placing interim leaders across a broad variety of institutions — large and small. “Every single time we successfully placed a leader at a university, I knew we were making a real difference,” Bryan says. “It wasn’t just about filling a role; it was about ensuring that the institution was supported, that students were taken care of, and that faculty had the guidance they needed.”
Leadership Philosophy: Humility and Service
For Bryan, the most rewarding aspect of his leadership was the opportunity to mentor others. “I’ve always believed that the best leaders are the ones who listen and understand the needs of those around them,” he says. “You can’t go into a new assignment with your ego in front. You have to leave it behind, observe, and adapt to the institution’s needs.”
This philosophy of leadership — humility, listening, and service — guided Bryan throughout his career. He sees leadership as a dynamic relationship, not a static position. “In every role, whether interim or permanent, the most important thing is to serve the institution and the people,” he says. “When you lead with integrity and focus on others, success follows naturally.”
Bryan’s belief in listening first, and leading with empathy, shaped not only his own approach but also the culture at The Registry. His leadership was marked by a collaborative, people-first attitude that built trust and forged lasting partnerships with members, consultants, and institutions alike.
The Registry’s Legacy
As President Emeritus, Bryan looks back on his time with The Registry with pride. “What makes The Registry so special is the community we’ve built — the relationships we’ve fostered with our members, consultants, and partner institutions,” he says. “It’s not just about placements; it’s about providing a trusted network of experienced leaders who can make an immediate impact.”
The Registry’s continued success is a testament to Bryan’s commitment to providing thoughtful, tailored support for each institution. From small liberal arts colleges to large research universities, The Registry’s consultants were positioned as leaders who brought experience, wisdom, and stability to institutions undergoing transitions.
Through the years, Bryan had the privilege of working alongside remarkable colleagues like Amy Miller, Kevin Matthews, and George Matthews. Together, they helped shape an organization that not only placed interim leaders but also provided mentorship, guidance, and stability to colleges and universities at crucial moments.
“We’ve never just been about filling a position. It’s always been about supporting leadership in higher education,” Bryan notes. “Whether it’s a college going through a leadership transition or a president looking for guidance, The Registry has always been about providing the best people for the job — the ones who will add real value to the institution and help lead it through the challenges ahead.”
A Focus on Family and the Future
Now, as Bryan looks toward his next chapter, retirement presents a new opportunity for him to embrace the things he’s long put on hold: spending more time with family and enjoying travel with his wife, Anne. “After years of working so closely with The Registry, I’m looking forward to a bit more time for myself and my family,” he says.
Bryan plans to spend his retirement traveling with Anne and visiting his children and grandchildren. “It’s time to slow down and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures,” he says with a smile.
Despite stepping away from his leadership role at The Registry, Bryan will continue to cheer on the organization from the sidelines. “The Registry has been a labor of love for me,” he says. “I’ll always look back on this time with immense gratitude for the people I’ve met and the leaders we’ve supported. It’s been an honor.”
A Final Word of Advice
As Bryan prepares for retirement, he offers one last piece of advice to future leaders: “Always leave your ego at the door. In every leadership role, it’s about the people you’re serving. If you can lead with humility and listen, you’ll find success.”
For Bryan Carlson, leadership has always been about making a difference — in the lives of those he’s mentored, the institutions he’s helped guide, and the communities he’s been a part of. As President Emeritus, his legacy will live on in the many leaders he has influenced and in the continued success of The Registry.
The Registry’s Marketing Coordinator Katrina Penley and Senior Consultant Rev. Dr. James Martin met with Bryan and Anne in early November to support the development of this article highlighting Bryan’s distinguished legacy and upcoming retirement from The Registry.
A Legacy of Leadership with President Emeritus Bryan Carlson
After nearly two decades of leadership, Bryan Carlson, President Emeritus of The Registry, has stepped down from the organization that he helped shape and grow into a cornerstone of higher education leadership. What began as a chance opportunity blossomed into a journey that not only transformed The Registry but also contributed to the success of countless colleges and universities across the nation.
A Surprising Beginning
Bryan Carlson’s path to becoming President of The Registry started with an unexpected phone call. At the time, he was serving as president and CEO of the New England Exchange for Executive Leadership (NEXEL), a role he enjoyed and had not anticipated leaving.
“I had a great life at NEXEL, working alongside George Matthews. But Alan Koenig, a longtime colleague, reached out one day and asked if I’d be interested in succeeding Dr. Thomas H. Langevin as president of The Registry,” Bryan recalls. “I wasn’t sure at first. George and I were starting a new venture, Collegiate Enterprise Solutions, and I needed to talk things over with him.”
Dr. Langevin, founder of The Registry, had been a visionary in the field of interim leadership for higher education and was preparing for his well-earned retirement. After thoughtful consideration, and with George Matthews’ encouragement, Bryan agreed to explore the opportunity.
“I think George saw something in this role that I hadn’t fully realized yet,” Bryan reflects. “It felt like the right next step at the time.”
Expanding the Mission and Impact
When Bryan stepped into his role as president, The Registry’s membership was relatively small, but he recognized its vast potential. “We had fewer than 300 members, but there was so much untapped potential,” he recalls. His first big decision was to expand the scope of The Registry’s work to include cabinet-level leaders in addition to presidents.
“We started by reaching out to provosts, CFOs, and vice presidents — leaders who were ready to step into the interim roles but who might not have been part of the original vision. It was a huge shift, but it really worked,” Bryan says.
As The Registry’s membership grew, so did its impact. “There’s a unique strength in the leadership network we’ve built,” Bryan says proudly. “We’re not just placing interim leaders; we’re connecting a community of experienced, dedicated professionals who understand the challenges facing higher education today. These leaders bring stability, insight, and mentorship to institutions during their most critical transitions.”
This expansion helped The Registry flourish, adding hundreds of new members and placing interim leaders across a broad variety of institutions — large and small. “Every single time we successfully placed a leader at a university, I knew we were making a real difference,” Bryan says. “It wasn’t just about filling a role; it was about ensuring that the institution was supported, that students were taken care of, and that faculty had the guidance they needed.”
Leadership Philosophy: Humility and Service
For Bryan, the most rewarding aspect of his leadership was the opportunity to mentor others. “I’ve always believed that the best leaders are the ones who listen and understand the needs of those around them,” he says. “You can’t go into a new assignment with your ego in front. You have to leave it behind, observe, and adapt to the institution’s needs.”
This philosophy of leadership — humility, listening, and service — guided Bryan throughout his career. He sees leadership as a dynamic relationship, not a static position. “In every role, whether interim or permanent, the most important thing is to serve the institution and the people,” he says. “When you lead with integrity and focus on others, success follows naturally.”
Bryan’s belief in listening first, and leading with empathy, shaped not only his own approach but also the culture at The Registry. His leadership was marked by a collaborative, people-first attitude that built trust and forged lasting partnerships with members, consultants, and institutions alike.
The Registry’s Legacy
As President Emeritus, Bryan looks back on his time with The Registry with pride. “What makes The Registry so special is the community we’ve built — the relationships we’ve fostered with our members, consultants, and partner institutions,” he says. “It’s not just about placements; it’s about providing a trusted network of experienced leaders who can make an immediate impact.”
The Registry’s continued success is a testament to Bryan’s commitment to providing thoughtful, tailored support for each institution. From small liberal arts colleges to large research universities, The Registry’s consultants were positioned as leaders who brought experience, wisdom, and stability to institutions undergoing transitions.
Through the years, Bryan had the privilege of working alongside remarkable colleagues like Amy Miller, Kevin Matthews, and George Matthews. Together, they helped shape an organization that not only placed interim leaders but also provided mentorship, guidance, and stability to colleges and universities at crucial moments.
“We’ve never just been about filling a position. It’s always been about supporting leadership in higher education,” Bryan notes. “Whether it’s a college going through a leadership transition or a president looking for guidance, The Registry has always been about providing the best people for the job — the ones who will add real value to the institution and help lead it through the challenges ahead.”
A Focus on Family and the Future
Now, as Bryan looks toward his next chapter, retirement presents a new opportunity for him to embrace the things he’s long put on hold: spending more time with family and enjoying travel with his wife, Anne. “After years of working so closely with The Registry, I’m looking forward to a bit more time for myself and my family,” he says.
Bryan plans to spend his retirement traveling with Anne and visiting his children and grandchildren. “It’s time to slow down and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures,” he says with a smile.
Despite stepping away from his leadership role at The Registry, Bryan will continue to cheer on the organization from the sidelines. “The Registry has been a labor of love for me,” he says. “I’ll always look back on this time with immense gratitude for the people I’ve met and the leaders we’ve supported. It’s been an honor.”
A Final Word of Advice
As Bryan prepares for retirement, he offers one last piece of advice to future leaders: “Always leave your ego at the door. In every leadership role, it’s about the people you’re serving. If you can lead with humility and listen, you’ll find success.”
For Bryan Carlson, leadership has always been about making a difference — in the lives of those he’s mentored, the institutions he’s helped guide, and the communities he’s been a part of. As President Emeritus, his legacy will live on in the many leaders he has influenced and in the continued success of The Registry.
The Registry’s Marketing Coordinator Katrina Penley and Senior Consultant Rev. Dr. James Martin met with Bryan and Anne in early November to support the development of this article highlighting Bryan’s distinguished legacy and upcoming retirement from The Registry.
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