John Bennett named VCU Vice President for Finance

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene P. Trani today announced the appointment of John M. Bennett to be Vice President for Finance, effective January 2006.

Bennett, who currently serves as the Virginia Secretary of Finance, was selected after a search was conducted for VCU’s chief financial officer.

“We had an excellent pool of candidates and Mr. Bennett clearly emerged as eminently qualified for the position,” Trani said. “His experience with state budgets and knowledge of Virginia government are particular strengths he brings to VCU.”

Bennett has spent his career in public service. He was appointed secretary of finance for Virginia in 2002, and was instrumental in guiding the state through what has been a fiscally challenging period in Virginia’s history. As secretary, he serves as the principal financial advisor for Gov. Mark Warner, a member of the governor’s cabinet and as the chief financial officer for the Commonwealth.

He also has served as the staff director of the Senate Finance Committee and chief legislative analyst for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

Bennett received a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, and has extensive post-baccalaureate experience in urban studies and planning from Virginia Tech.

Bennett will replace Paul W. Timmreck, senior vice president for Finance and Administration, who announced that he will retire in June 2006. 

“Over the past nine years, Paul’s guidance has been invaluable in managing a $1.6 billion combined budget for VCU and the VCU Health System and financing more than $1 billion worth of construction,” Trani said. “He and Bennett will work together for a six-month period to ensure a smooth transition.”