Parker Executive Search has been selected to assist the NCAA Executive Committee and its presidential search committee in the search for the successor to Myles Brand.

The firm is headed by Dan Parker, who was one of the principals with Baker-Parker, the firm that assisted in the 2002 search that resulted in the hiring of Brand, who died in September. Laurie Wilder, the firm’s senior vice president and managing director, will help Parker conduct the search.

NCAA Executive Committee chair and Oregon State University President Ed Ray called Parker Executive Search “one of the top search firms for executive positions in higher education and intercollegiate athletics.”

“The firm brings integrity, experience and a proven track record that is important to this effort,” said Ray, who also chairs the six-member search committee. “And Dan’s familiarity with the Association from the last presidential search will be a plus, as well.”

Ray said Parker Executive Search will seek input from various constituents before the end of the year. Ray emphasized that the search process remains on schedule, with the goal of having the Association’s fifth chief executive officer in place by the beginning of the 2010 academic year.

The full Executive Committee will select the new president.

Along with Ray, other members of the NCAA search committee are University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Chancellor Harvey Perlman; Weber State University President Ann Millner; Hampton University President William Harvey; Molloy College President Drew Bogner; and Widener University President James Harris.