Robert Schottenstein, CEO of Columbus-based homebuilder M/I Homes, is set to take over as chair of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Board when the panel votes on a resolution at its Sept. 1 meeting.

The move completes a leadership transition that began Aug. 20, when New Albany billionaire Les Wexner, 88, stepped down as chair. The departure came amid mounting scrutiny over his former ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner will remain on the board as chair emeritus without voting power, university spokesperson Ben Johnson said.

"Les and Abigail have been great supporters of the university for many years, and we appreciate his ongoing service on the committee," Johnson said in part when the departure was announced Aug. 20.

Schottenstein is no stranger to Ohio State governance. He served as a university trustee from 2005 to 2014 and chaired the Ohio State Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2014. He also previously sat on the board of L Brands, the retail empire Wexner founded. Schottenstein did not respond to a request for comment from the Ohio Capital Journal, which first reported the Sept. 1 vote.

Wexner had not attended a board meeting since May 20, 2025. NBC4 reported he attended only three of nine meetings over the past two years, about 33%. Two administrative law experts told the station that likely violated a state law requiring 60% attendance, though Ohio State maintains the rule applies only to governor-appointed members.

Students and staff had rallied in recent months calling for Wexner's removal from the board. The pressure intensified after U.S. House Democrats deposed Wexner at his New Albany mansion in February about his relationship with Epstein. A 2019 FBI document listed Wexner as an alleged co-conspirator of Epstein's while noting "limited evidence of his involvement." Wexner has denied wrongdoing.

"I was naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein," Wexner said in his opening statement at the February deposition, according to WOSU.

Wexner's departure also followed the June exit of his longtime attorney, John Zeiger, as chair of the Ohio State Board of Trustees. The university has received 500 requests to remove Wexner's name from campus buildings. Johnson said those remain under consideration and are unrelated to the board change.

The board meets Sept. 1.