I am pleased to inform you of our newly appointed vice president and chief financial officer, Andrew Harris, who will officially join the Roosevelt community on June 1, 2018. Andrew is a senior financial and operational leader with more than 25 years in the higher education, non-profit and government sectors. He has extensive experience from decades of work at public and private universities at the vice presidential level in finance, budgeting, treasury/cash operations, technology and all areas of administration.
Andrew
brings a unique perspective to our community. He has had a lengthy career in both higher education and the military, where he attained the rank of colonel, commanded an infantry brigade combat team, and recently retired from the Vermont Army National Guard for which he last served as chief of staff.
Andrew began his career in higher education at Boston University, where he worked for 14 years and assisted in the transformation of the university from a commuter school to an educational powerhouse that set the conditions for its entrance into the Association of American Universities. At Boston University, including five years at the medical campus, Andrew created reporting mechanisms that brought much-needed clarity, consistency and transparency to highly autonomous academic and research organizations.
Following his tenure at Boston University, Andrew joined the University of Chicago as associate vice president and university budget director. As an officer during a time of rapid financial growth, he successfully managed the development and implementation of new financial processes and participated in large bond issues to advance the needs of the growing physical plant.
Andrew’s time in Chicago was punctuated by an overseas tour of duty with his military unit, the first of two deployments in his career, which led him to join the . At UNT, Andrew served in a dual role as vice chancellor for finance of the UNT System and vice president for finance and administration at the flagship campus, where he had regular and sustained interaction with governing boards, legislative bodies and a variety of external entities important to public higher education in Texas. During his nearly six-and-a-half-year tenure at UNT and UNT System,
Andrew’s notable accomplishments include:
- A double upgrade of the bond rating from A1 to Aa2 (Moody’s)
- Securing large-scale financing for a football stadium, business school, student union and other campus infrastructure projects
- The implementation of a long-term investment pool that added millions in unrestricted cash to the operating budget of the university
Andrew is a graduate of the Boston University Questrom School of Business and the U.S. Army War College, having earned an MBA and master’s in strategic studies.
In his new role as vice president and CFO, Andrew will advocate for the most effective use of fiscal and capital resources to deliver the University’s mission and vision. He will oversee the University’s finance, facilities and operations. In addition, Andrew will be responsible for financial management analysis, strategic short-term and long-range financial and capital planning, institutional business functions, implementing capital projects, physical plant operations and maintenance, property acquisition, purchasing and contract administration.
Please join me in welcoming Andrew to the Roosevelt community.
Lastly, join me in thanking Tangella Maddox for her work as interim vice president and chief financial officer that began in July 2016. I am grateful for her service and stewardship during a period of significant transition. Tangella will continue to serve as associate vice president of finance.