In a recent announcement, Ann Bordelon, the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, unveiled plans for major structural changes within the Division of Finance and Administration at the university campus. The restructuring is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2024, and arises due to the impending retirements of two key figures within the division.
Michael White, a longstanding member of the campus community with over 25 years of service in various financial roles, will retire at the end of 2024. During his tenure, he has held the position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs for the last six years. Similarly, Scott Turley, with over three decades of service at the university and three years as Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities, also intends to retire at the end of 2024.
In light of these pending retirements, Bordelon has taken the opportunity to reconsider the structure of the division with the goal of promoting increased innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness in the services provided to the campus. This entails the introduction of new leadership roles and the reassignment of responsibilities to streamline the functions of the Division of Finance and Administration.
Cale Fessler, a prominent figure within the campus community, will undertake an expanded role as Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs. In addition to assuming previous responsibilities held by White, Fessler will also continue to oversee campus budgeting, business solutions and support services, procurement, travel, and eProcurement services. The consolidation of these functions under a single unit is expected to enhance financial insights and analytics, improve communication, and streamline problem resolution in financial affairs.
Furthermore, Susan Slinkard is being promoted to Assistant Vice Chancellor-Treasurer within Financial Affairs. In this capacity, she will oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, in addition to her current responsibilities. Bordelon praised Slinkard for her innovative leadership and her efforts in driving numerous initiatives to streamline the management of the university’s cash and investments.
Another significant change involves Clayton Hamilton, who will assume the role of Senior Associate Vice Chancellor-Campus Services. This new position will encompass the oversight of campus community infrastructure teams, strategic campus partnerships, real estate, and space strategy, as well as facilities management, parking and transit, and university police. Hamilton brings a wealth of experience and leadership capability, having served in a senior capacity within the athletics department.
In anticipation of the university’s expanding footprint, a new role focused on strategically managing the university’s real estate portfolio and campus space allocation will be created under Hamilton’s leadership. This proactive approach will ensure that the evolving needs of the campus community are effectively met.
Additionally, the university’s data strategy efforts will be strengthened with the appointment of Jannette Akridge as Senior Director-Data Transformation. Akridge, who has been serving in a similar capacity on a part-time basis, will work closely with UITS, the Provost’s Office, and other data leaders to enhance the university’s data strategy efforts across different functions.
In conclusion, it was disclosed that all finance leaders across the campus will now have a formalized indirect reporting relationship to the Division of Finance and Administration. This realignment is intended to provide a more streamlined and consistent approach to financial management across the organization.
The impending changes represent a significant reorientation of the Division of Finance and Administration and are expected to have a far-reaching impact on the university’s operational and service delivery capabilities. It is an exciting time for the university as it prepares to enter this new phase of development and growth.
For further information, please contact Justin Freeman, Senior Director of Administrative Communications at the Division of Finance and Administration, at 479-718-1276 or via email at [email protected].