Syracuse University names new CFO

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University on Wednesday announced the appointment of Amir Rahnamay-Azar as the school’s new senior VP and CFO.

His appointment is effective Feb. 15 and is subject to the approval of the board of trustees, Syracuse University said in a news release issued Wednesday.

Rahnamay-Azar will direct the university’s finance and administration functions.

He takes over for interim CFO Gwenn Judge. She assumed the responsibility following the departure of Louis Marcoccia, who retired in June.

“Amir is the kind of strategic thinker, pragmatic financial leader and experienced manager that Syracuse University needs as we position ourselves for significant growth and success in the coming years,” Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the release. “It is important that our fiscal position supports the ambitious vision and goals laid out in the academic strategic plan. I feel fortunate that we have found a CFO with the experience required and a track record of success.”

About the new CFO

Rahnamay-Azar most recently served as CFO at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, where he stepped down June 30 “to spend more time with my growing family,” according to a July 7 article on the website of the Pittsburgh Business Times. The quote was part of an email message sent to the CMU finance division on May 17, the article said.

In his time at CMU, Rahnamay-Azar was responsible for strategic leadership of central-administrative functions including campus design and facilities development, computing services, budget and financial planning, treasury operations, international finance, controller and audit services, and financial systems, Syracuse University said.

He also directed the implementation of CMUWorks, a service center for human resources, payroll, business systems transactions and support.

Rahnamay-Azar was also responsible for the planning, design, construction and renovation of university facilities, including more than $350 million in capital projects involving campus facilities.

Prior to his tenure at Carnegie Mellon, Rahnamay-Azar served as senior VP for administration and finance at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

He also earlier served as associate senior VP of operations at the University of Southern California.

New role

In his new role at Syracuse University, Rahnamay-Azar will oversee treasury and university investments, along with finance and comptroller functions, planning and budget activities, facilities, campus services, auxiliary services, and risk management, the school said.

He will also provide administrative guidance to the director of internal audit and will work with the chancellor and the chancellor’s executive team in the allocation and oversight of the university’s operating budget.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com