Gregg A. DeMar
Gregg A. DeMar of Stamford, Conn., and Houston, Texas, is retired from the IBM Corporation after serving for 34 years in a career that spanned sales, marketing, management, and executive roles. DeMar joined IBM in 1976 and held executive positions in Baton Rouge, La.; Dallas; Raleigh, N.C.; Detroit, Mich.; and New York, including three worldwide executive leadership positions.
Since 1992, Demar has served as an Executive Committee member of the LSU College of Science Dean's Circle Advisory Council. He has also served for many years as the IBM diversity campus executive for Southern University. Since 1995, DeMar has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Barton College in Wilson, N.C.; previously, he served as chair of the Board of Trustees (2011-2016) and chair of the Presidential Search Committee (2014-2015). He has retired from serving as the chair of the Trustee Ministry for his home church, Union Baptist Church in Stamford (2006-2015).
DeMar earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and applied physics from Harvard University and is a current member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He and his wife, the former Hyacinth Rodney of New Orleans, La., have three children, Brent, Troy, and Keri.
My LSU Giving Story
What is your favorite memory involving LSU?
During the first eight years of my career in IBM, I had the opportunity to work across
many parts of LSU, getting to know the faculty and staff in several departments. In
so doing, I also had the opportunity to develop many relationships across multiple
years and to continue those relationships after leaving Louisiana. I have many favorite
memories of mutually beneficial learning and accomplishments in both the progress
and growth that I have observed at LSU, and to what degree my supporting LSU has assisted
progress and growth.
What makes LSU unique?
LSU has, and provides to Baton Rouge, the state, the U.S., and the world, such a tremendous
breadth and depth of knowledge, resources, demonstrated capabilities, and students
and faculty who bring broad and purposeful perspectives that lead to wonderful accomplishments!
Why do you support LSU?
LSU contributes greatly to its surrounding region and the world and makes significant
positive impacts on its students and in the lives of those in its extended communities.
Though I am not an alumnus, I appreciate the opportunity to support LSU.
If someone asked you why he/she should make a gift to LSU, what would you say?
Please take the time to inquire into all of LSU's capabilities, how it utilizes those
capabilities to make great impacts on those who matriculate there, and how it leads
in research and impacts across such a wide range of academic and professional arenas.
What is your vision for LSU, and how do you think philanthropy can drive that vision?
I look forward to seeing LSU continue its many positive impacts in an ever expanding
and growing manner with philanthropy helping and contributing to fueling that growth
in more and more ways.
What motivated you to accept our invitation to be an inaugural member of the LSU Foundation
National Board?
I continue to be enthused by the visions that LSU continues to set for itself as an
"institution of worldwide impact," how it nurtures and fosters its student and academic
communities, and how it is always on a path of continuous growth. As well, I have
benefited from learning and seeing much about LSU through a longtime association with
the College of Science as a member of its Dean's Circle Advisory Council.
What most excited you about being part of the National Board?
I am most excited about having the opportunity to continue to and further support
LSU's current and future initiatives for continued growth and positive impacts.