Fryer refers warmly to Stanford, who he also lists as a personal reference. He has spent time with Stanford in Seattle schools, he said, meeting his principals and teachers and discussing ideas about public education. He proves an outsider can do a very good job,'' Fryer said. ''. . . Likewise, Fryer said he has proven leadership ability in private and public sectors. While in the military, he commanded a tactical fighter wing of 5,000 people and later was commandant of the National War College, which trains top military officers and federal officials in national security strategy and policy.
Leadership is transferable.
Certainly most people in the business world think that,'' said Fryer, ticking off a number of examples. Those brought in to turn around companies like IBM, Delta Airlines and Goodyear were outsiders with management skills and little industry knowledge. Fryer said he became interested in the Jacksonville job after visiting Florida relatives at Christmas. But the Key Biscayne native said his interest in education isn't new. Ga. A short stint in Vietnam followed, during which Fryer flew 161 combat missions over Southeast Asia and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses.