After a nationwide search, Clemson University has tapped an insider to be its new chief financial officer, President James F. Barker announced today.
Brett A. Dalton, who has served as executive assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and provost since 1996, will become Clemson’s top financial strategist effective June 29.
“Brett possesses all of the talents we were looking for. He is a strategic thinker who can analyze financial data, economic trends and business plans, but who also thinks creatively and is open to new ideas,” Barker said. “The fact that he has in-depth knowledge of Clemson’s budget and funding history is a bonus.”
This position was created through a restructuring of the university’s business and fiscal affairs division in order to enhance long-term financial strategic planning, develop new resources and increase efficiency and accountability, Barker said. The CFO will report directly to the president as an executive officer of the university.
Steve Copeland will continue to serve as interim chief business officer, providing leadership for ongoing budget and facilities planning and management.
“Separating these critical duties will allow us to bring greater focus and accountability to each area,” said Barker.
“Having the opportunity to serve as Clemson’s chief financial officer is a humbling honor and a great responsibility. Serving as a member of President Barker’s leadership team during this period of significant progress and improvement is exciting,” Dalton said. “As a member of this team I am committed to ensuring that Clemson continues to be a great investment for the families, students, alumni and many other supporters of the university.”
Dalton earned a bachelor of science in 1988 and a master of arts in 1990 from the Walker School of Economics at Clemson. He began his career at Clemson as a Thurmond Research Fellow with the Strom Thurmond Institute, then served as a budget analyst before being named director of financial planning in 1992. In that position, he completed Clemson’s first comprehensive financial plan/financial analysis and served as the primary liaison to the Commission on Higher Education on financial matters.
In his most recent assignment, Dalton was responsible for strategic financial planning and management for the Division of Academic Affairs and provided regular counsel to the president and other senior administrators on financial matters. He worked closely with the provost in developing the university’s academic plan, developed a retirement incentive plan and voluntary separation plan as a way to generate savings and protect jobs during budget cuts and co-chairs the Discovery Council, which aims to create a lean business culture in administrative operations.
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