Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lindsay J. Graham to the position of vice president for academic finance and administration, effective August 1, 2015. Currently the executive dean for administration and finance in the Division of Biology and Medicine, Lindsay will continue to work closely with Dean Jack A. Elias, MD, and the Division's senior leadership in his new role as vice president, particularly on the development and implementation of strategic priorities.

The vice president for academic finance and administration is essential to building upon the progress the University is achieving on the goals and priorities outlined in Building on Distinction, which will require developing a sustainable budget model that allocates resources effectively and efficiently to drive continued academic excellence. Lindsay will serve as the chief budget officer for the University's academic programs, assuming lead responsibility for managing University resources that advance our core mission of teaching and research. He will have financial and administrative oversight of all academic areas and programs reporting to the Office of the Provost, and will develop comprehensive short- and long-range financial plans to support our shared vision for Brown. Importantly, he will ensure that financial plans are designed to achieve the needs and ambitions of the academic departments, centers, initiatives, institutes and programs comprising the University. He will be charged with using data to inform and drive decision-making, and developing financial models, reports, and evaluation protocols to measure progress. 

To ensure complete alignment with overall University budgeting, finance and administration, Lindsay will report directly to the provost with a "dotted line" reporting relationship to Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Barbara Chernow. Together, Vice President Graham and Executive Vice President Chernow will share responsibility for inspiring collaboration among all members of the Brown community on shared financial and administrative goals, and for communicating about the University's fiscal position.

Lindsay brings a valuable combination of essential skills, depth of experience and knowledge of Brown to this role. He came to Brown in July 2009, to assume his current role, serving as chief operating and financial officer for the Division of Biology and Medicine and a key strategic advisor to the dean of medicine and biological sciences. In this position he has had oversight of the offices of finance and planning; human resources; computer services; research administration; facilities planning and operations; and communications.

Since his arrival at Brown, Lindsay has been integrally involved in many critical initiatives, including the redevelopment of 222 Richmond Street to be the new home for the Alpert Medical School, and the University's expanded role in the Jewelry District. He has served as a member of the University Resources Committee and the Deficit Reduction Working Group, chairing two of its subcommittees. He has ably led projects that have resulted in improved operational and financial performance. He will remain deeply involved in key strategic initiatives related to the Division of Biology and Medicine, including stewarding relations with the affiliated teaching hospitals.

Prior to joining the Brown community, Lindsay served for 15 years in a number of financial and operational leadership roles at the University of Michigan, including chief administrative officer for the Department of Internal Medicine. During this time, he was selected by his peers to receive the University of Michigan Medical School Administrator-of-the-Year award.

A graduate of the University of Detroit, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting, Lindsay is a certified public accountant. He has been active in his field at the national level, participating on several committees of national professional organizations.

Please join me in welcoming Lindsay to this important University role.

Sincerely,

Rick Locke