of executive vice chancellor at University of California, Santa Cruz, and served for five years. University at Buffalo Simpson assumed the post of UB President in 2004. He had a vision for UB to become the premier public research university in the northeast. Simpson's plan included expanding UB's student population by 10,000 and increasing the faculty by 750 over the course of 13 years. Simpson lobbied lawmakers with his plans, but ultimately needed additional monies for the expansion from government leaders in Albany that did not come through. UB's fundraising efforts through philanthropy could have provided $30 million for the expansion. However, the New York State Legislature did not pass the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act. The Act would have provided UB with the opportunity to generate needed funding to forward the UB 2020 plan, following $60 million in state budget cuts to the school. Retirement On August 30, 2010, Simpson notified the University at Buffalo Council that he would retire. On January 5, 2011 Simpson said that he would remain on as President until a successor was announced. He extended his retirement date by two weeks, retiring on January 15, 2011, at the request of the Council. He stated that he and his wife were going to return to their "West Coast home." Of his decision to retire as UB President, Washington, DC's Targeted News Service quoted Simpson stating, in part, on August 30, 2010: Simpson was succeeded by Satish K. Tripathi as UB President. Current and former memberships Board of Directors of the SUNY Research Foundation Buffalo Niagara Partnership Board of Directors Buffalo Niagara Enterprise American Association for the Advancement of Science Society for Neuroscience Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior Board of directors of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, the governing body of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Pilchuck Glass School, Trustee Council on Competitiveness Erie County Rare Books Commission New York State Commission on Higher Education American Council on Education's Commission on International Initiatives Commissioner of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Intiman Theater Company, Seattle Henry Art Gallery, Seattle Honors 2009 Theodore Roosevelt Award for Exemplary Citizenship and Service from the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation. 2013 Charles P. Norton Medal from UB Personal life A native of Oakland, California, Simpson is married to his wife, Katherine, and they have two adult children. In his spare time, Simpson enjoys skiing, biking, and