Alvin Puryear is the Lawrence N. Field Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management at Baruch College of the City University of New York, where he teaches graduate courses in business policy, human resources management, and entrepreneurial strategy. At various times since joining the Baruch faculty in 1970 he has served as a College Dean, Chairman of the Department of Management, Co-Director of the Baruch College/Cornell University Master of Science in Industrial Relations Program, and Director of the Baruch College Small Business Lab.

Dr. Puryear has also been an active member in several local and national organizations. He is a Director of North Fork Bank, North Fork Bancorporation, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company. He is also a Trustee of the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and the Community Service Society of New York.

In addition to his responsibilities at Baruch College, Dr. Puryear has been actively engaged in several business-related activities with a diverse group of private and public-sector organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, municipal governments, foundations, and not-for-profit development organizations. He is also the author of several articles and has spoken at numerous conferences and professional meetings.