David English, Augustana’s chief financial officer (CFO) and vice president for finance and administration has announced he will leave his position at the end of this school year. According to the Augustana website, English joined the Augustana community on May 7, 2012.
President Bahls will lead the search for a new chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration
immediately.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I was given to work at Augustana,” said English via email. “The school has wonderful students, as well as an engaged and caring faculty and staff. I hope that my professional contributions have furthered the college in its mission of educating students for a rewarding life.”
According to Sam Schlouch, director of public relations, President Bahls will lead the search for the new CFO and VP for finance and administration.
Bahls plans to set up an interim VP within the next couple of weeks before English leaves as well as determining a search committee who will help find the ideal candidate to fill the open position. President Bahls was unable to comment at this time.
Schlouch said Bahls hopes to have the position filled permanently in the next six months.
“(English) did great work for the college and we hope to find someone who can execute the duties just as well,” said Schlouch.
According to English’s profile on the Augustana website, his position includes but is not limited to: “Overseeing the college endowment of $115 million and an annual operating budget of $70 million, he serves as treasurer and is responsible for budget, payroll, audit, accounting, food service, facilities, information technology, human resources, purchasing, bookstore and other business
operations.”
Schlouch said that English will finish most of the big financial projects before he leaves.
English joined Augustana in 2012 after seven years at Vassar College, according to Augustana’s website.
“This summer I will be moving to the same role at Denison University, another outstanding liberal arts school,” said English via email. “I believe that this transition will also provide a set of interesting challenges and that I will find Denison a welcoming and engaged community, as I found Augustana.”
English said that this type of career move is not uncommon.
“Such transitions aren’t unusual though; the college regularly experiences employee turnover across the gamut of positions.”
English will finish this year with a few more tasks, such as preparing for the Board of Trustees meeting in early May.