Drew Katz, CEO of one of the nation’s premier outdoor advertising firms, on Tuesday was elected to fill the Temple University Board of Trustees seat left vacant by his father, longtime trustee and Temple benefactor Lewis Katz, CST ’63, who died May 31 in a plane crash.

“Drew is an outstanding philanthropist and businessman who understands the transformative effects that Temple has on its students and alumni, his father being one of the most prominent among them,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Patrick J. O’Connor. “Lewis would take such pride and comfort that his son is continuing his legacy of serving this great university. We are delighted to welcome Drew to the board.”

As CEO of Interstate Outdoor Advertising, Katz has overseen one of the fastest-growing outdoor advertising firms, which currently owns and operates more than 1,100 billboards and other advertising vehicles nationwide. He is also a principal of Foster Interstate Media, which specializes in digital signage and other advertising displays.

In 2003, he created the Drew A. Katz Foundation to benefit those facing difficult life and health challenges, with a particular emphasis on children. Since its inception, the foundation has contributed more than $2.5 million to more than 225 nonprofit organizations.

Katz, who will serve a four-year term on Temple’s Board of Trustees, is also a board member of the Covenant House, the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and Wilson Disease Association International.

Other recent additions to Temple’s Board of Trustees include Scott F. Cooper, LAW ’92, who has served the Temple University Alumni Association since 2005 and became its president July 1, and Alan M. Cohen, CLA ’72, executive vice president and global head of compliance at Goldman Sachs. Cooper will serve a two-year term and Cohen for three years.

“Scott and Alan are strong leaders who are tremendously equipped to help guide Temple during its continued rise as one of the nation’s great urban research universities,” O’Connor said. “The depth and breadth of their professional experiences, as well as their commitment to service and strong connections to Temple as alumni, are great assets to the board.”

Cooper is a partner with the international law firm Blank Rome LLP, where he leads the Employment, Benefits and Labor group. His public service includes serving as president/chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Cohen, who has been in his current roles at Goldman Sachs since 2004, is a former partner at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP. Before that, he was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

In 2011, Goldman Sachs Gives donated $500,000 to Temple’s business-plan competition, the annual Be Your Own Boss Bowl, to further expand universitywide entrepreneurship. The gift was made at the recommendation of Cohen and his wife, Deborah, FOX ’72.

Temple’s Board of Trustees comprises 36 voting members, 24 of whom are elected and 12 of whom are appointed by state officials.

–Brandon Lausch