Kim B. Clark is bringing 27 years of Harvard business expertise to his new role as president of Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Clark, 56, will step down as dean of the Harvard Business School on July 31 to become the university's new leader, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley announced Monday.

"He'll trade the halls of Harvard for a view of the Grand Teton Mountains of Idaho," President Hinckley said. "It's a tremendous thing to have the dean of the Harvard Business School come to Idaho."

Clark, who has served as dean for 10 years after earning both his graduate and postgraduate degrees in economics from Harvard, said he is excited about the opportunity to work with BYU-Idaho at an "inflection point in its history."

Leaving the Massachusetts school, however, will not be an easy task, Clark added.

"Part of me looks at what lies ahead with some degree of sadness," he said. "I'm going to miss a school that I love."

Clark replaces Robert M. Wilkes, who was appointed interim president in December after BYU-Idaho President David A. Bednar was called as an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In a live video feed from Boston, Clark said his goal is to "build on the legacy" previous leaders of BYU-Idaho created and to move forward with new technology and innovation to advance student-centered learning.

In particular, Clark said the school will continue its transformation into a four-year university. Formerly Ricks College, BYU-Idaho in Rexburg became a four-year institution in 2001 and has grown to a student body of roughly 11,000.

The church-owned school now offers both baccalaureate and associate degrees.

"That launched a very important period of time," Clark said. "The university must do many new things but hold on to things that ought to endure."

Clark's experience at Harvard will further the "destined course" of BYU-Idaho as he lends a fresh approach and distinction to the school, President Hinckley said.

While at Harvard, Clark spearheaded several new programs, including the information technology initiative and a global initiative to broaden research in Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Clark is also a director of Maryland-based Black & Decker Corp. and New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp.

"He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge," President Hinckley said. "He has built an environment at Harvard Business School where faculty and students enjoy coming to work each day."