New Wayne State interim President Allan Gilmour knows he’s a bit of an outsider, but said Tuesday that has both it’s pluses and minuses.

“Ideally, you want someone with fresh ideas and knows the business cold,” Gilmour said. “I don’t know if I’ll meet either standard. I know I don’t know the business cold.”

Gilmour said his perspective could be the biggest plus during his presidency.

“Anytime when you get someone from the outside coming in, they have a different perspective,” Gilmour said, referring to Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford, and Ed Whitacre, chairman of the board and CEO at Chrysler.

As president, Gilmour said one of his goals is to remain visible on campus and to remain as transparent as possible.

“There are certain things where we do not wish to be transparent because they’re confidential,” Gilmour said. “Beyond that, we should be transparent. People should know what we’re doing, understand what we’re doing and I hope agree with what we’re doing.”

For now, however, Gilmour will work with now-former acting president Phyllis Vroom to learn the new position, which takes effect Aug. 30. Vroom will resume her position as dean of the School of Social Work.

“We’re going to work together,” he said. “Particularly until the 30th of August, but even then I can guarantee I’m going to be on the phone with her saying, ‘What do you think about this?’”