Bentley University has named Kenneth B. Cody to the newly created position of Vice President for Administration and Finance. Cody comes to Bentley with more than 25 years of experience as a finance and administrative professional in higher education, with a history of significant accomplishments, most recently as vice chancellor and treasurer/CFO for the University System of New Hampshire (USNH). USNH is comprised of 4 institutions, including UNH in Durham, and serves over 30,000 students.
“We’re very pleased Ken has accepted Bentley’s offer. His thoughtful, strategic thinking and collaborative nature will make him a key contributor to Bentley’s success. As we move forward on our strategic plan, heading towards our centennial in 2017, Ken’s guidance and experience will be instrumental in helping us meet our goals,”said Bentley President Gloria Cordes Larson.
In his new role reporting directly to the president, Cody will have overall responsibility for finance including budget and financial planning, risk management, accounting services, student financial services, treasury and debt services and investments. His administrative responsibilities will cover information technology, public and environmental health and safety, purchasing, administrative and campus services, the conference center, and facilities management.
“What struck me first about the Bentley community is how committed each individual is to the school’s success. I look forward to working collaboratively with my new colleagues on the unique challenges present in higher education today, especially as Bentley moves forward on its ambitious strategic plan. I have no doubt that Gloria Larson and the entire campus will devote the energy and enthusiasm necessary to meet their goals and I am proud to be joining their team,” said Cody.
Among Cody’s many accomplishments working closely with colleagues at UNH are designing and implementing a multi-year financial planning framework for aligning budgets and financial plans to strategic plans. In fiscal year 2012 he led a collaborative process which enabled UNH to maintain a positive operating margin while managing a $50 million cut in state appropriations. During the economic crisis, a multi-year capital building program, and severe state cutbacks, Cody maintained excellent and transparent relationships with investors and bankers to maintain USNH’s Aa3/A+ bond rating. He was instrumental in restructuring UNH’s administrative services into shared business centers to deliver improved services to faculty while reducing costs. Cody was also part of a UNH steering committee for a multi-year project that resulted in renewable methane gas providing 2/3 of the campus’ total energy.
Colleagues and staff who have worked with Cody are unanimous in their high praise of his financial acumen, and his calm, collaborative and collegial manner under pressure. He is regarded as an extraordinary talent, solid leader, and a first-rate finance expert both on campus and on the national front.
Cody just completed three years on the board of directors of the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers and is currently on the board and executive committee of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers, for which he also served as president. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration at Plymouth State University, received a master’s degree in finance from Bentley University in 1988, and worked as a CPA prior to his career in higher education.