VCU Names Vice President for Finance and Administration

By Anne Buckley

Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao announced today that David Hanson has been named vice president for finance and administration.

Hanson, who recently served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Seychelles Development LLC, begins his position as VCU’s chief financial officer effective July 15. Previously, Hanson served as associate vice president for administration and as special assistant, chief of staff, to the executive vice president at Emory University from 2004 to 2010.

“We have an ambitious strategic plan for a rapidly rising national research university and need top talent like David to continue to build on the legacies of his excellent predecessors,” Rao said. “He has the communication skills and a strong track record of making things happen. He will be a great fit to a great administrative team at VCU.”

Hanson’s selection was the result of a national search and meetings with members of the VCU Board of Visitors, the senior leadership team and members of the faculty, staff and students. An open forum also was held with the university community.

“The vision and excitement for the future across the VCU campus was clear to me during the entire interview process,” said Hanson. “I am eager to join the VCU community and contribute in ways that will allow the institution to continue to excel on both national and global levels.”

In addition to his most recent position, Hanson has served as director of executive MBA Admissions at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, and nearly a decade as attorney, with positions in the federal judiciary, government and private practice.

Hanson also was assistant counsel and an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honors Program, working in the Office of the Chief Counsel. He graduated from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Va., and served four years active duty, leaving military service with the rank of captain and a meritorious service award.

Hanson earned a doctor of education degree with an emphasis on higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. He has an MBA from Emory University, a law degree from Ohio Northern University and did his undergraduate work in business at the University of Tampa.