Changes in Finance Office

From Kenyon News - July 1, 2015

Todd Burson became the vice president for finance on July 1, 2015, after serving for two years as associate vice president. Joseph Nelson, who has worked at Kenyon since 1978 and served as vice president of finance since 1987, will work in a part-time capacity as chief investment officer for the next year before moving into a consultant role for the College.

“Kenyon benefited from Joe’s steady leadership for many years. His dedication and acumen has left us in a solid financial position. I am pleased he will continue as our chief investment officer,” President Sean Decatur said. “Todd brings an equally even hand to our daily operations and will ensure our strong financial status in the future.”

 Burson said he plans to take the same approach in the role of vice president as Nelson. “I look forward to carrying on the strong, consistent and stable financial leadership tradition that Joe has provided over the last 37 years,” he said. He sees the biggest challenge as providing the best academic program possible while controlling costs so that more students have access to a Kenyon degree.

Burson said he also is excited about Decatur’s vision for Kenyon, specifically Kenyon 2020. “This plan is going to provide a blueprint that will help drive future decisions, and I look forward to being a part of that,” he said.

 Nelson will oversee the College’s investment programs including the endowment, as well as the short term cash portfolio. Investing, he says, is what he enjoyed most, and he is happy to continue work in that area. He also is proud of the managed debt program that allowed Kenyon to borrow money at the lowest available rate to preserve resources that otherwise would have been spent down.

“Kenyon is in a solid financial position and in good hands with Todd,” he said. “If I could give him any single piece of advice, it would be to be patient, don’t overextend. Take sure-footed baby steps.”