William & Mary names senior vice president for finance and administration
Sam Jones ’75 has been named William & Mary’s senior vice president for finance and administration. Jones currently serves as vice president for finance at the university. The new position comes following the announcement that Anna Martin, vice president for administration, will retire in February 2015. Jones’ new post will be effective upon her retirement.
“In light of the countless intersections of finance and administration at William & Mary, it makes sense to bring them together under a single leader,” said William & Mary President Taylor Reveley. “Sam Jones is the right person to lead the effort, in light of his immense knowledge of William & Mary and his great familiarity with the workings of public higher education in Virginia.”
Jones is well known to the university. In addition to receiving his undergraduate degree in government here, he also received a MBA in 1980. Jones has worked at William & Mary for 28 years – 21 years as vice president, and all as the chief financial officer of the university. His first post, in 1986, was director of the budget. He was named vice president for budget and planning in 1993. In his current post, Jones has been responsible for William & Mary’s budget planning along with the Provost; budget execution; providing counsel to top administrators on resource allocation and oversight of expenditures.
His experience also extends beyond the university. Before coming to work at William & Mary, Jones served as an economic forecaster for the Virginia Department of Taxation and in statewide oversight of budget issues for the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.
As senior vice president for finance and administration, Jones will oversee all of the university’s finance and administrative departments. His new responsibilities will include financial operations, investment administration, human resources, procurement, campus safety and security, facilities, auxiliary services, risk management, and property management.
“Having the opportunity to help guide this great institution is a thrill and an honor for me. We have strong leadership throughout finance and administration. I look forward to working with them as we move forward,” Jones said. “Funding for higher education is at a crossroads, helping William & Mary navigate its new course will be rewarding.”
To assist with this, a chief financial officer will be hired. The CFO will report directly to the senior vice president for finance and administration and focus on budget development and execution, financial operations, and procurement. The search to fill this position will begin immediately.
Additionally, Associate Vice President for Human Resources John Poma will have a new title: Chief Human Resources Officer. The other departmental associate vice presidents will retain their present titles.
