Ohio University has hired one new employee and located lead candidates for multiple unfilled vice president positions in the University Advancement office.
James Hill was recently named the new associate vice president for development and campaign manager, which were previously two separate positions.
Hill is replacing Larry Lafferty, who left OU at the end of July.
Howard Lipman, the former vice president for University Advancement and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation, left last December for a similar position at Florida International University. Lipman’s departure was the first in a series of exits by upper-level advancement employees.
Bryan Benchoff replaced Lipman and is overseeing replacements for the additional departures.
Of the four departures last year, Lafferty and Lipman are the only two administrators to be replaced so far.
Margaret Sheskey, former assistant vice president for advancement administration, who took an early retirement last June and Juan Cueto, former assistant vice president for advancement services who followed Lipman to FIU, have yet to be replaced.
A national search to replace Cueto’s position has been narrowed down to three applicants who have been interviewed on campus, Benchoff said.
“We have a highly viable candidate that I look forward to speaking with soon to find out where he stands,” Benchoff said.
Jeff Fischer is currently serving as the interim assistant vice president for advancement services.
Upon arriving to campus in July, Benchoff did not want to implement a search for a new assistant vice president for administration to replace Sheskey. He appointed Chris Matter as interim.
Benchoff’s goal is to take the various roles and responsibilities and distribute them among other staff members as a cost-saving measure.
Hill, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work from West Virginia University, will be taking on responsibility for development activities, including the Promise Lives Campaign, OU’s fundraising push to raise $450 million.
“Jim brings a wealth of experience in a variety of higher education settings over the past 20 years,” Benchoff said.
Hill officially started work at OU Sept. 26 and will be making an annual salary of $167,000 plus benefits. He will also be reimbursed up to $13,000 for relocation expenses to Athens.
af234909@ohiou.edu
