Jan. 5, 2016
President John Garvey announced today that the University has hired Robert M. Specter as the new Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Mr. Specter has served as Interim Vice President for Finance and Treasurer since August 2015.
Specter has served in senior finance leadership positions at a number of higher education institutions since 1994. Prior to joining Catholic University, Specter served as Vice President for Administration and Finance and in a subsequent advisory role to the president at the University of Maryland from 2011 to 2014. Specter developed and led a series of public forums that focused on ethical and responsible conduct within the University of Maryland community, facilitated financial planning for Maryland's move to the Big Ten athletic conference, and developed a cogent real estate strategy for improvement of the U.S. Route 1 corridor in College Park, Md.
Previously, Specter served as Vice President for Finance at the University of Delaware. While there, he partnered with the Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment to develop a utility-scale 2.0 megawatt wind turbine at the university's Lewes, Del., campus; created and executed a $340 million capital improvement plan for new research, teaching, housing, and recreation facilities plus support of infrastructure; and served as Chief Business Officer of an LLC formed to redevelop the university's 272-acre former Chrysler automobile assembly plant into a science and technology campus. Specter also has worked in vice presidential roles at CUNY/Baruch College and Oregon State University.
He earned a B.A. from the University of Rochester, an M.S. from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University.
In announcing Specter's appointment, President Garvey said, "Rob Specter has had a profound impact on Catholic University's Finance Division during his time as our interim vice president. I'm delighted that he will now be a permanent member of the University's leadership team. I know he will continue to make a positive impact and will help us to advance our mission."
Specter noted, "I am very pleased to become part of President Garvey's strong leadership team. The Catholic University community has welcomed me warmly, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to its continuing growth and success."
As the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, Specter will oversee finance and accounting, human resources, business services, procurement, auxiliary enterprises, information services, budget, audit, investments, institutional planning and research, as well as facilities planning, maintenance and operations.