Article appeared in the newspaper's Style section.
Summary:
Published the day after Lawrence M. Small became the 11th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, this newspaper article includes quotes and anecdotes from colleagues familiar with Small and his management style. The author comments that after twenty-seven years with Citicorp/Citibank followed by nine years at Fannie Mae, Small had always been "the inside guy, the in-house trouble shooter," but that for the first time, the shop was his. The appointment of businessman Small as Smithsonian Secretary is recognized as a departure from the long line of scientists and scholars that preceded him.
However, Sandra Roche Small views her husband's natural curiosity and willingness to learn as pluses for his new job, and former business associates say that Small's skill in the art of plain talk and his willingness to listen will prove helpful. The article includes information on Small's background and family, and notes his ability to speak several languages and play the flamenco guitar. The author cites a number of incidents during Small's career that helped shape his management philosophy, and reports on some of the new Secretary's plans, such as his intention to shift away from the fund raising practices of his predecessor, I. Michael Heyman, and pursue new millionaires for philanthropic funds.
