To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff
           <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "President B. Joseph White" <presidentwhite@uillinois.edu>

Reply-To: presidentwhite@uillinois.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - CFO and System Leadership Announcement

January 9, 2007


Dear Colleagues,

        I am pleased to inform you about the selection of a new Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer for the University of Illinois and 
to update you on the status of other key University Administration 
positions.
        
        My recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the new 
position of VP/CFO is Walter K. Knorr, an experienced public finance 
expert currently serving as Comptroller of Cook County. Walter 
previously served as Comptroller and CFO of the City of Chicago, 
reporting to Mayor Richard M. Daley, and thus brings top line 
experience in managing complicated, multi-billion dollar public 
budgets. His private sector background includes senior positions at 
major financial firms. 
        
        Well-known and well-regarded in the public finance sector as an 
innovator and a straight shooter, Walter emerged from a national search 
that fielded 118 candidates and was assisted by the executive search 
firm Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. A search consultative committee 
was chaired by Urbana business professor David Ikenberry and was 
comprised of senior faculty and administrators from the three campuses, 
including the chancellors.    
        
        The new VP/CFO recommendation will be considered by the 
Board of Trustees at its scheduled January 18 meeting in Chicago. 
Walter's start date will be February 1. Steve Rugg will then transition 
to his duties as Vice President for Planning and Administration.
        
        Also at the January meeting, the Board will consider my 
recommendation of Jim Weyhenmeyer as Interim Vice President for 
Technology and Economic Development. As associate vice president, 
Jim has spent the last six years of his 26-year U. of I. career intimately 
involved in all aspects of the University-wide technology and economic 
development operations.
        
        As part of the transition to new leadership in this area, I 
have initiated a review of the University's accomplishments and future 
challenges in technology and economic development. Leading the review 
will be Dean Prith Banerjee of the College of Engineering at the 
Chicago campus and Dean Avijit Ghosh of the College of Business at 
the Urbana campus. At the conclusion of their work, which should last 
about three months, the University will launch a search for a permanent 
vice president.
        
        Finally, I want to report that the internal search for a new Vice 
President for Academic Affairs is progressing well. Until the vacancy is 
filled, the academic affairs function will be carried out by me with help 
from Executive Assistant Vice President Larry Mann. A search advisory 
committee chaired by Urbana professor James Anderson is assisting me 
in this important task.
        
        Sincerely,
        
        
        Joe White
        
        
        
         

This mailing approved by:
The Office of the President

-- 
This message sent via MASSMAIL.  < http://www.cites.illinois.edu/services/massmail/ >