Regents approve interim appointments in UI administration

The Board of Regents on Wednesday approved interim appointments to oversee the University of Iowa’s finances and key administrative responsibilities, in the wake of the impending retirement of UI Senior Vice President and Treasurer Doug True.

Rod Lehnertz

Rod Lehnertz will serve as interim senior vice president. His daily roles will include responsibility for the university’s financial and numerous non-financial service operations; coordination of institutional objectives in tandem with UI President Sally Mason and her cabinet; and interactions and coordination with the Regents and and its office in Des Moines. Lehnertz also will continue direct engagement with planning, design and construction at the UI.

Terry Johnson will act as interim chief financial officer and treasurer, responsible for overseeing the UI’s investment and treasury activities. Johnson also will remain associate vice president and controller at the university.

Terry Johnson

The appointments come after the university announced last fall that True would retire in January.

Lehnertz and Johnson say they are honored to be named to the new roles and stressed they have been working with other members of the UI administration and academic leadership since the announcement to ensure the transition would be smooth. They also said they will rely upon their respective staffs for support as they take on the additional responsibilities.

Johnson said his immediate focus will be to develop a sound operating budget for next fiscal year. In addition, he’ll provide leadership to faculty and staff across the university who will invest significant time and effort in implementing the TIER administrative efficiency business cases approved by the Board of Regents. Lehnertz will be closely involved in these endeavors and other objectives of the Regents and President Mason. In addition, he will continue to lead campus development and the capital projects, including those stemming from the 2008 flood.

The university expects to have a formal search for True’s permanent replacement, although no timetable has been set.