The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) announced today the selection of Brian J. Fox as Vice President of Finance and Administration for the university. A native Oregonian, Fox will be returning to the state from his current position in Washington, D.C. as a Senior Associate with HCM Strategists, LLC; and his prior position as Director of University Finance and Budget for Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Fox will begin at Oregon Tech on July 29th, replacing Jay Kenton who was serving as Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration; Kenton begins his role as Interim President of Oregon Tech on July 1.
“We’re very excited that Brian will be returning to the state to serve in this critical role for Oregon Tech,” said Jay Kenton. “Brian has a deep understanding of higher education finance and budgeting in Oregon and has worked on it at many levels, from serving as a state higher education board member, university system staff, and state agency staff at the HECC. It is imperative that Oregon Tech be well positioned and presented to the HECC and the legislature as we continue to seek state appropriations for operating and capital construction to provide a high quality education to our students. Brian can hit the ground running and help take this university to the next level of financial performance and stability.”
Fox will be leaving his current position as Senior Associate for HCM Strategists, LLC, in Washington D.C. to join Oregon Tech. There, he authored reports and worked with clients including foundations, states, colleges and universities in developing effective strategy, finance solutions and operating improvements to increase productivity, cost efficiency and student outcomes. Prior to this position, Brian was Director of University Finance & Budget from 2014-2016 at the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the State of Oregon. There he was a member of the executive management team, led the public university joint budget development and presentation to the legislature, was co-director of the Office of University Coordination, and staffed the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee. He served the Commission in a number of capacities, including strategic planning, issue prioritization and policy setting. During his tenure he led the overhaul of the state’s funding allocation for public universities to focus on student outcomes, which resulted in the implementation of the Student Success and Completion Model.
Before joining the HECC, Fox worked for the Oregon University System from 2012-2014 as Special Assistant to the Chancellor/Vice-Chancellors, and prior to that as a Research Assistant. There he was a member of the senior financial management team, supporting executive and board decision-making, strategic planning, system and institutional management, financial and policy analysis, and legislative affairs. His work included development of a comprehensive operational cost and revenue analysis tool, which synthesized financial, human resources, and student information system databases. Additionally, Brian facilitated the financial restructuring of two regional public campuses in Oregon, among other finance initiatives.
Fox was also appointed by the Governor to serve as a Director on the State Board of Higher Education from 2008 to 2011 when he was an Economics student at Southern Oregon University (SOU).
Fox said, “I’m excited to join Oregon Tech and return to my home state of Oregon. Oregon Tech has a history of being well managed, nimble and resourceful. It is strongly positioned with its unique program mix and incredibly strong value proposition, which continues to attract highly talented students who gain entry into in-demand fields at the highest starting salaries in the state. I’m looking forward to working with our Trustees, faculty, staff and students to manage our financial and physical resources and support the continued strengthening of Oregon Tech.”
Fox has a B.S. in Economics from SOU; and an MBA from the University of Oregon, Lundquist College of Business. He has been an active volunteer in several organizations, including the United Way, Big Brother/Big Sisters, was engaged in efforts to increase diversity at UO’s Lundquist College of Business, and served as an Ex-Officio Member of SOU’s Foundation Board of Trustees.
Kenton added, “I want to thank members of the Search Committee for all of their hard work and dedication to this process over the last few months. They reached this successful outcome under the leadership of Search Chair David Thaemert and Committee members Lori Harris, LeAnn Maupin, Debbie McCollam, Ron McCutcheon, Laura McKinney, Eileen Mudgett and Mike Pierce. This is the first step in building a new senior leadership team, with a new president and provost adding to this over the next 6-9 months as we complete those important searches.”
About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is the premier public polytechnic university the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering, technology health technologies, management, communication, and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public, and international communities through hands-on, applied learning. Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls and an urban, industry-focused campus in Wilsonville. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.
###
