Holly G. Crawford has been named the University of Rochester’s senior vice president for administration and finance, chief financial officer and treasurer. University President and CEO Joel Seligman announced her appointments at an event on Oct. 21, and she will begin in the roles on Jan. 15, 2016.
Crawford, who is the senior associate vice president for budgets and planning and who has served as deputy to the senior vice president and CFO for eight years, was selected after a national search. She will lead the Administration and Finance team, which includes finance, budget, audit, campus planning and design, facilities, purchasing, auxiliary services, human resources, public safety, and environmental health and safety. She succeeds Ronald Paprocki, who announced his intent to retire on Jan. 15, 2016 after more than 45 years at the University.
In announcing Crawford’s appointment, Seligman remarked, “Holly was the stand-out candidate in terms of already having had experience at both the technical and strategic levels in all administration and finance areas and having a proven track record of success in implementing University initiatives. She has strong relationships with administrative and financial colleagues across the institution, with divisional leaders, and with outside partners, including investment bankers and rating agencies. She will hit the ground running. She starts with a nuanced and complete understanding of our University.”
University of Rochester Board of Trustees Chairman, Ed Hajim, concurred: “Holly Crawford has an outstanding record of service at the University. The Board was impressed by her accomplishments to date and her vision going forward. We are looking forward to working with her even more closely in her new role.”
Trustees Advisory Committee Chair John Davidson added, “We are very fortunate that after an extensive national search our next CFO, Holly Crawford, comes from right here at the University of Rochester. Holly is an exceptional finance executive and leader who has delivered outstanding contributions to the University. Her broad experience at the University and in other industries positions her well to carry on and build on the outstanding foundation Ron built over 45 years.”
As senior associate vice president for budgets and planning, Crawford is responsible for the stewardship and management of the University’s multibillion dollar operating budget, capital budgets, and five-year financial plans. She is currently leading the planning for the implementation of a budget development and financial planning information system as the second phase of the financial systems transition to the Workday financial system. As deputy to the senior vice president and CFO, she is the principal advisor on all financial, planning, facilities and administrative matters and often serves as representative for campus emergencies and on key initiatives.
Crawford joined the University in 1998 as director of University audit and conducted the first University-wide risk assessment, as well as developed a construction auditing program, which today continues to reduce costs to the University’s facilities projects.
In 2000, Paprocki asked her to step in as budget director and assume responsibility for working with department managers, deans, and financial officers from throughout the University to establish annual operating and capital budgets. During this time, Crawford also worked to facilitate strategic planning among key administrative functions with an emphasis on improving human resource policies and practices, communications, policies and procedures, IT, risk assessment and business case development. She also started the annual Administration and Finance Conference, joining together senior leadership for a daylong conference focused on information sharing and ongoing communication for financial and administrative issues.
In 2004, she was named associate vice president for budgets and planning, and in 2014 was promoted to senior associate vice president.
In June 2007, Crawford became deputy to the senior vice president and CFO and led several major capital project business plans, including the Primary Data Center, University Health Services building and Eastman Theatre renovation. Working closely with consultants, legal teams, community development corporations and investment bankers on the Eastman Theatre renovation, she managed the complex financial and legal structure of the multi-year project and helped the Eastman School of Music realize significant cost savings through New Market Tax Credit financing. She also coordinated University efforts during the development and 2014 opening of the Brooks Crossing residence hall.
“Holly has been my trusted deputy for almost a decade, and a close colleague before that,” said Paprocki. “Her knowledge of the University, her integrity, and her commitment to professional excellence are without peer, and I am delighted to know that she will continue to serve the University in an exemplary fashion.”
Additionally, Crawford had a major role in the development of College Town, the transformational $100 million mixed-use project on 14 acres of University property in the City of Rochester’s Mt. Hope corridor. She focused on keeping the project on time and on budget from a University perspective, as well as contract and lease negotiations and all detailed legal document reviews.
“I am delighted by this opportunity to serve the University at an even higher level, and grateful to President Seligman and the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me,” said Crawford. “I would also like to acknowledge the guidance and support Ron Paprocki has provided to me over the years. He has provided me with many opportunities and has been a great mentor.”
Crawford earned her MBA from the Simon School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Long Island University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Before joining the University, she held accounting and audit positions at organizations including Bausch & Lomb, ACC Corporation, and Arthur Andersen LLP.
The national search committee for the senior vice president and CFO position was chaired by Seligman and included:
- David Bushinsky, John J. Kuiper Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicine; chief of the Nephrology Unit, Strong Memorial Hospital; chair, Faculty Senate Budget Committee; and member, Faculty Senate Benefits Committee
- Rob Clark, senior vice president for research and dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- David Kirshner, CFO, University of Rochester Medical Center
- Peter Lennie, provost and Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences and Engineering
- Gail Norris, vice president and general counsel
- Doug Phillips, senior vice president for Institutional Resources
- Peter Robinson, vice president and COO, University of Rochester Medical Center; vice president, Government and Community Relations
- Mark Taubman, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Lamar Murphy, staff to the committee; general secretary and chief of staff
A Trustees Advisory Committee advised the search and was chaired by John Davidson and included Bill Carpenter, Lance Drummond, Roger Friedlander, Bob Keegan, Tom Sloan, Kathy Waller, and Roy Whitney.
