Long Island University Appoints Robert Altholz
Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
St. Louis University VP for Business and Finance/Treasurer
to Head Finance Operation beginning December 1, 2003
Brookville, NY.
After conducting a nationwide search, Long Island University,
the seventh-largest private university in the nation, has named Robert
Altholz, vice president for business and finance, and treasurer of
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, to the position of vice president
for finance and chief financial officer. He replaces Mary M. Lai,
who served in this capacity for 57 years an extraordinary
record unequalled in American higher education.
In his new role, Mr. Altholz will oversee the University’s
financial affairs and provide executive leadership as one of nine
officers on the University’s senior management team. Responsible
for developing long- and short-term financial programs in support
of the University’s mission, he will manage all treasury and
central financial administrative functions; maintain banking and investment
relationships; and interact with bond rating agencies and external
auditors. He will take a leadership role in implementing the University’s
Best Practices Initiative, helping to spearhead a conversion of existing
financial systems through an Enterprise Resource Planning system.
"Rob Altholz possesses the leadership skills,
business acumen and technological savvy to manage the University’s
financial operations in a new era of integration," asserts David
Steinberg, president of Long Island University. "We are delighted
that he will be joining us and look forward to benefiting from his
expertise in this critical area. He is a worthy successor to Mary
Lai, a legend in her own time."
A certified public accountant who originally worked
for Edward Isaacs & Company, Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen,
Mr. Altholz began his career in higher education finance at Yale University,
rising to assistant comptroller. His experience supervising investment
accounting, disbursement, payroll, funds administration, and financial
analysis and reporting at Yale led to his appointment at Saint Louis
University in 1987.
Assuming the role of associate vice president and
treasurer at Saint Louis, he was responsible for all treasury functions
including investment management, debt management, charitable giving,
bank relations and real estate management. In 1995, Mr. Altholz was
promoted to vice president for finance and business, while retaining
the title of treasurer. As chief financial officer, he has managed
the financial functions, policies and procedures of a multi-campus
institution with an operating budget of $500 million and an endowment
of approximately $650 million. Four years after he assumed the role
of CFO at Saint Louis, Moody’s increased the university’s
rating to A1 (top 60 in the country) a level at which it
has remained throughout his tenure. In 2000, he worked with the provost
to develop a five-year financial and operational plan, providing for
a $100 million investment which will significantly enhance the university’s
academic and information technology resources and improve its infrastructure.
In addition, Mr. Altholz created financial models for major auxiliary
activities, such as housing and parking, which ensured that such services
are self-sustaining.
"Long Island University’s proud tradition
of access and excellence is truly inspirational," Mr. Altholz
declared. "I am eager to play a significant role in securing
a bright financial future for this great institution."
Mr. Altholz earned a B.S. in economics from New
York University and an M.B.A. from Bernard Baruch College, City University
of New York. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and the National Association of College and University
Business Officers. Mr. Altholz’s wife, Cathy, has a lifelong
love of theatre and was instrumental in the establishment of Stray
Dog Theater, a St. Louis theatre company. Her undergraduate degree
is in graphic design and she is, at present, self-employed in that
field. They have a son, David, who also earned his degree in graphic
design and works in the field; he lives in Chicago. Their daughter,
Sarah, holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees in music education
and trumpet performance and lives with her husband in Illinois. Rob
and Cathy will make their home in Brookville, NY.
