At its first meeting of the 2025-26 fiscal year, which took place July 17, the University of Louisville Board of Trustees elected its new slate of officers. They are:
Larry Benz: Chair
Larry Benz is president/CEO of Confluent Health. In 2011, Benz was appointed to the Board of Trustees by then Gov. Steve Beshear. He served as board chair from 2015-2017. During his tenure, Benz also served as a member of the UofL Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. He was re-appointed to UofL’s Board of Trustees in 2022. Benz also serves as a member of the UofL Athletic Association, Inc. Board of Directors and UofL’s President’s Council.
Chris Dischinger: Vice Chair
Chris Dischinger is co-principal and co-founder of LDG Development in Louisville. He has served as president of four different trade organizations, including the Society of Exchange Councilors. He was appointed to UofL’s Board of Trustees in 2024.
Brian Lavin: Treasurer
Brian Lavin is president/CEO of NTS Development Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Lavin has served on the board of directors of the Louisville Science Center, Louisville Ballet, Greater Louisville, Inc., National Multi-Housing Council, Louisville Apartment Association, Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Inc. and the Inquiry Commission for the Kentucky Bar Association. He was appointed to UofL’s Board of Trustees in 2023. Lavin also serves on the board of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority and is a member of the UofL President’s Council.
Sherrill Zimmerman: Secretary
Sherrill Zimmerman is a retired educator from Louisville, where she was a teacher, assistant principal and a magnet program coordinator for Jefferson County Public Schools. She has chaired the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the body that coordinates higher education in the state, and has been a lifelong advocate for student success. Zimmerman was appointed to UofL’s Board of Trustees in 2021. She is also a trustee representative on the UofL Athletic Association, Inc. Board of Directors and is vice chair of UofL’s President’s Council.
Diane Porter: At-Large Member
Diane Porter is a former member of the Jefferson County Board of Education. She was first appointed to the school board in June 2010. Porter was appointed to the UofL Board of Trustees in 2020. She also serves on the boards of the Fund for the Arts, Louisville Urban League and Leadership Louisville.
Read more about UofL’s other trustees.
The University of Louisville Board of Trustees will hold regular committee meetings Thursday, September 18, at 1 p.m., in the Jefferson Room, Grawemeyer Hall. Board meeting minutes, schedules and other information are available on UofL’s Board of Trustees website.
