Pacific Names James Walsh for new CFO Position

A new role has been created within the division of Pacific’s finances and operations: chief financial officer (CFO). James Walsh will assume the role of CFO on May 16th, 2022. 

Walsh has spent 17 years in higher education at MIT, Brandies, and Tufts; at Tuft’s, Walsh  (in collaboration with partners at the Tufts campus) led parts of the implementation of a new enterprise level budget system and web-based financial reporting. Walsh says, “This combination has led to efficiency, clarity, and transparency in budgets and forecasts, which has had a significantly positive impact at [Tufts].”

As Walsh notes, the responsibilities outlined in the role of CFO are not inherently new to Pacific. Rather, it is more a splitting of obligations; “Currently… Kevin Mullen (the vice president for business and finance since 2014)...oversees both finances and operations at Pacific,” says Walsh. As CFO, Walsh will oversee the areas of finance and Kun Mullen will oversee operations as chief operating officer (COO). 

Overseeing finance entails the following: “student business services, budget, treasury and investments, payroll, accounts payable, financial reporting, procurement, sponsored programs accounting and e-commerce.” Accompanying overseeing financial operations is the pursuing of the 10 year goal that President Callahan made in his inaugural address: “to make Pacific the nation’s best student-centric, comprehensive university within 10 years.”

While the outlining of the new CFO position is critical for students to have knowledge of, getting to know Walsh better is of equal importance.

Jasmin Prasad (JP): What drew you to University of the Pacific?

James Walsh (JW): It’s distinguished history and the opportunity to apply my broad experience to lead and support Pacific’s goal of being the leading student-focused comprehensive university in the nation in 10 years. President Callahan has assembled an outstanding leadership team, an important draw for me. 

JP: Is there anything that you look forward to in working with the broader Pacific community?

JW: I look forward to the opportunities to work with and support everyone in the Pacific community. It is the interactions, partnerships, and collaborations with community members, including: students, faculty, school, college, and university leadership, regents, and staff that make working in higher education so rewarding.

JP: What experiences/accomplishments are you proud of? How do you feel this will help you in your new position?

JW: I have been very fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful colleagues in my 17 years in higher education. We have worked on strategic and tactical projects to evolve systems, processes, and organizations to meet mission-based goals and provide excellent service and support. I am proud of my collaborations with many people across the three universities I worked at…I will be joining an outstanding leadership team assembled by President Callahan, and I feel that my collaborative experiences will serve well in my role as CFO.

Jasmin Prasad

Editor

P1 at Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy

A part of The Pacifican since 2020

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