Craig Ashmore Named New Chair of UConn Foundation’s Board of Directors
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Craig W. Ashmore ’85 (ENG), managing director at global private equity firm Platinum Equity, has been named chair of the UConn Foundation’s Board of Directors. Ashmore first served as a member of the Foundation board from October 2009 to October 2019. He rejoined in October 2020, after serving as emeritus status for a year.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead the board during this period of growth at the Foundation,” says Ashmore. “I am eager to build upon our successes and to help fulfill UConn’s educational, research, and outreach missions.”
As managing director at Platinum Equity, Ashmore is responsible for senior-level business development activities focused on identifying new acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2014, Ashmore spent more than 20 years at Emerson, a global technology and software company, most recently as executive vice president of Planning and Development. In that role, Ashmore was responsible for Emerson’s mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and corporate technology functions, as well as Emerson Network Power’s connectivity solutions business.
In addition to his Foundation board service, Ashmore has supported several UConn initiatives over more than three decades, including projects for the School of Engineering; the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and UConn Athletics. Ashmore was inducted into UConn’s Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Hall of Fame in 2004.
“Craig’s extensive business experience, skills, and knowledge, along with his love of and connection to UConn, make him the ideal person to serve as Foundation board chair,” says Foundation President and CEO Jake Lemon. “I look forward to partnering with him and our other board members as we support the University’s important goals.”
After receiving his undergraduate degree from UConn, Ashmore earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Sandy Ashmore ’84 (CAHNR), live in Marco Island, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of three adult children.