Q: Can you describe the work you do at the University of Chicago?

I am the senior director of finance for the Booth School of Business responsible for all finance and accounting operations of the international campuses, non-degree Executive Education and the Conference Center business, both of the latter located at the downtown Chicago Gleacher Center facility.

Q: How long have you been with the University of Chicago, and what drew you here?

I joined the University in 2003, and have been with Chicago Booth for 22 years. As a University business school MBA alum married to a University social sciences graduate school alum, I have long time ties to the University. The GSB (Graduate School of Business), as it was known at the time, was seeking an experienced financial person to take responsibility for the financial management of departments reporting to the deputy dean at the Gleacher Center. The main focus of my responsibilities was on those departments that did not fit within the University’s centralized financial infrastructure and bring more disciplined accounting controls and financial reporting to those departments managed at the Gleacher Center. I saw the prospect of implementing new and effective financial controls to unique parts of the University as an extremely exciting opportunity.

Q: How has your role changed since you've started?

My role is generally the same in many ways; however, it has evolved to not only being responsible for Booth, but also providing support for many other departments within the University that might have international initiatives and/or international staff where Booth is also present.

Q: What are some highlights of working at UChicago?

(1) Being part of the move Booth’s Executive MBA (EMBA) program made from Barcelona to London during which we completely reengineered the mechanics of how the University handles finances at international locations, including Booth’s Singapore location, without requiring local dedicated accounting staff.

(2) Implementing processes that would allow international EMBA students to pay tuition to local banks in local currency. Prior to this implementation these students needed to pay in USD directly to the University’s Chicago bank.

(3) Overseeing the establishment of an accounting and finance infrastructure in Hong Kong as part of Booth’s move from Singapore to Hong Kong. Other University departments joined Booth’s presence in Hong Kong, broadening the Hong Kong footprint to be a joint Booth/University endeavor. My team assumed finance, accounting and payroll responsibility for all University activities at the Hong Kong campus.

(4) The Hong Kong Jockey Club awarded a $30M grant to the University toward the construction of a new Hong Kong campus. As a condition, the grant was to be paid in installments tied to explicit construction expenditures spread over 2-3 years of construction. This required exacting documentation, certification by construction contractors, and being subject to audit review by Jockey Club personnel. My team was tasked with the most unusual job of coordinating the documentation process that would assure that the University would be able to claim, and receive the full $30M grant.

Q: You have had a great impact on the University, how has the University impacted you?

I feel so fortunate to be able to play a small part in furthering the mission of one of the world’s preeminent educational institutions.

Q: Can you share an idea of yours that has been implemented at the Gleacher Center?

I led the re-organization of the accounting, cash management, payroll, and financial reporting processes and procedures of Booth’s international campuses enabling enhanced financial controls and reporting.

Q: Beyond your role, how else do you like to spend your time?
My wife and I have two married adult sons living in the Chicago area and love spending as much time as possible with my family, doing whatever it is they want to do. I love to travel, hiking in national parks, visiting historic cities and sites and hard to reach destinations. I love learning about history through travel, documentaries, movies, reading, and museums. I am a big Chicago sports fan and love spending time following my favorite sports teams live and on TV.

Q: Can you share a bit about a project or initiative you are currently working on?

The Financial System Transformation has completely changed how the University’s international financial transactions are integrated into the University’s financial reporting. We are currently working through a series of process adjustments that require coordination among various University constituencies.