Rochester Business Journal

Michael Morley, former executive vice president at Eastman Kodak Co. who also served  Rochester Institute of Technology’s as its board of trustees chairman from 2005 to 2009, died Thursday.

Mr. Morley, of Pittsford, was 66.

Mr. Morley, a 1969 RIT graduate in business administration, spent his career at Eastman Kodak Co., where he climbed the ranks before retiring in 2004 as chief administration officer and executive vice president.

Under his leadership as chairman, RIT completed a $309 million fundraising campaign in 2006 and developed and implemented a strategic plan for the college through 2015. The college also added several new Ph.D. programs and opened a campus Dubai under his leadership.

“Mike was a natural leader because he listened so well and because he made decisions based on what is best for the organization he was leading, whether the decision was in his own personal interests or not,” RIT president William Destler said. “He was also a very hard worker who led by example and who was very tenacious when pursuing a worthy goal. Under his leadership, RIT expanded its national and global reach.”

Mr. Morley served as chairman of the presidential search committee that hired Destler in 2007 to replace the retiring Al Simone.

“RIT was always uppermost in Mike’s heart and mind,” Simone said. “Many of his accomplishments were done the hard way—going to night school, working his way up at Kodak.”

Antonio Perez, Kodak chairman and CEO, said he was saddened to learn of Mr. Morley’s passing and grateful for the work he did during his 40 years with the company.

“Upon his retirement in 2004 as our executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Mike had served Kodak admirably for 40 years,” Perez said. “In that time, he helped lead the company through a period of great change with his characteristic grace, calm and wisdom.

“He also contributed so much to the community that he loved, most recently serving as the chairman of the board of trustees of RIT. Mike left this world far too young, and I will miss his friendship and humanity.”

At the Nov. 13 RIT board of trustees meeting, Mr. Morley’s tenure as chairman ended and he was replaced by fellow alumnus Donald Boyce.

Mr. Morley and his wife, Jean, were married more than 45 years. He is also survived by three grown children and three grandchildren.

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