The president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham is the principal executive officer of the university and is appointed by the chancellor with approval of the board of trustees. The president reports directly to the chancellor, and is responsible for the daily operations of the university. The president also acts as chairman of the board of the UAB Health System.[18] Richard Marchase was named interim president on August 21, 2012, after the retirement of former president Carol Garrison.[19][20][21][22] In February 2013, Ray L. Watts became UAB's seventh president.[23]