Dear University Community,
I am writing to inform you of an important leadership change at The Catholic University of America. After thoughtful discussion and by mutual consent, Robert Specter, executive vice president, chief operating officer and university treasurer, has decided to step down from his role.
Rob has served Catholic University for nine years, overseeing a large portfolio of responsibilities, including business operations, operating and capital budgets, human resources, investments, real estate and facilities design, construction, and maintenance, including power generation and distribution.
I would like to acknowledge the great contribution Rob has made to the University, and I am grateful for his long service. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Please join me in thanking Rob for his contributions.
I have appointed Jeffrey Bethke, managing partner at Ingenuity Advising, as interim treasurer and vice president for finance.
Jeff has more than 30 years of line management, executive leadership and consulting experience, including 18 years at DePaul University in Chicago, where he served at various points as budget director, treasurer, chief financial officer and executive vice president.
He is a first-generation college graduate with dual degrees in journalism and ancient civilizations from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and an MBA in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
We will retain a search firm to look for a permanent treasurer and vice president for finance, and I will keep everyone updated on the process.
Sincerely,
Peter Kilpatrick
President