Leadership Update

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, I presented the University of Arizona’s financial action plan to the Arizona Board of Regents earlier this evening. I also shared with the regents that I had accepted Lisa Rulney’s resignation from her position as Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer. 

I want to thank Lisa for her exceptional professionalism and dedication during many years of service to the University. She has been part of the leadership team that shepherded our institution through the pandemic while also enabling important mission-centric advancements through our strategic plan, and I wish her well. 

Moving forward, I remain focused on addressing our financial challenges while sustaining the University’s upward trajectory. With that in mind, I am pleased that John Arnold, Executive Director for the Arizona Board of Regents, has agreed to serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs, effective Dec. 18. Regent Fred DuVal, Chair of the Board, has graciously agreed to this plan, and I thank both him and Mr. Arnold for their partnership and leadership. 

John Arnold has an exceptional background in disciplined financial management and higher education, with a proven record of leadership for ABOR and for the state of Arizona. He joined the board office in 2015 as Vice President of Business Management and Financial Affairs, having previously served as state budget director. In this role, he was instrumental in providing both fiscal direction and solutions for the state during the Great Recession as well as implementing the budget and advising the governor on all related matters.

I have enjoyed working with Mr. Arnold since beginning at the University of Arizona, and I admire his integrity, leadership, and effectiveness. I look forward to collaborating closely with him as we implement a centralized budgeting system and other measures to ensure the continuation of the University’s momentum and impact. 

For more information on the financial action plan, I encourage you to visit the University's Financial Updates website.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President

The University of Arizona