Sam Dotson Named as Next Dean of Webster University's Business School

May 08, 2026

Former Director of Operations for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis City Police Chief Sam Dotson, is Webster University's next dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, it was announced today. Dotson, who has been the Vice President, Corporate Security for Amtrak since 2018, was selected after an extensive hiring process conducted by the search firm Wittkieffer, which included interviews and feedback from Webster's global community, including faculty, staff and trustees.

Dotson will assume the role on June 1.

"Sam is an extraordinary leader, with deep and broad skills in defining strategic direction and motivating teams toward operational objectives in some of the most complex organizations imaginable," President Tim Keane said.

At Amtrak, Dotson effectively managed the safety and security of 23,000 employees and 32 million passengers across 46 states, with an operating budget of over $100 million.

"As the Director of Operations for the City of St. Louis, Sam oversaw a municipal budget of nearly $1 billion. Combined with his years of experience as Chief of Police, Sam has proven management, organizational development and financial acumen."

Keane said that the search process was designed to identify someone with extensive experience in the very skills that the Walker School of Business & Technology is seeking to develop in its students. Dotson was named as the top candidate due to his experience in leading thousands of employees in multiple diverse organizations, creating strategic plans that spanned diverse communities across the United States, and communicating with audiences of all sizes.

"St. Louis is my home, and Webster University is where my own path started - returning to lead the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology is both an honor and a challenge I am ready to take on," Dotson said. "I have spent my career leading large, complex organizations through real change, and I am bringing that real-world experience to Webster's faculty, students, and the work ahead."

Besides serving as Vice President at Amtrak from 2018 to present, Dotson previously served as director of operations for the City of St. Louis from 2011 to 2012 and police chief for St. Louis from 2012 to 2017. He also worked in corporate security for Anheuser Busch -- domestic and international security (U.S., Mexico, Asia).

Dotson's deep St. Louis roots and valuable connections with leaders in business and government in the region, as well as nationally, are expected to support accelerating Webster's dramatic turnaround. Webster finished with a positive cash flow last year for the first time in a decade.

Dotson is also an alum of Webster University, having earned a bachelor's degree in Management. He also holds an MBA from Fontbonne University.

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