Kerry Kennedy Named Vice President for Financial Affairs at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Kerry L. Kennedy, executive vice chancellor for business affairs for the University of Texas System Administration, has been named vice president for financial affairs and treasurer at The University of Alabama.

“Kerry Kennedy has an outstanding record of achievement both in higher education and in the banking industry,” said UA President Robert E. Witt in announcing the appointment. “I am very pleased that he will be joining The University of Alabama as a senior staff member.”

Witt said Kennedy’s appointment is effective Sept. 15.

At the University of Texas System, Kennedy has been one of three executive vice chancellors reporting to the chancellor of the $22 billion system. His responsibilities have included nine departments: finance, facilities planning and construction, controller, human resources, group insurance, information resources, real estate, police and West Texas operations.

Kennedy joined the UT System as assistant vice chancellor and controller in 1990 and was named executive vice chancellor for business affairs in 2000. He served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of BankOne, Texas, from 1982-1990.

Kennedy earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972 and is a Certified Public Accountant. He participated in the Governor’s Executive Development Program in Texas and the College Business Management Institute, sponsored by the University of Kentucky and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. Prior to joining Bank One, he held positions with KPMG Peat Marwick and the Texas Hospital Association.

Witt said Kennedy was selected for the UA position following a national search. Kennedy will replace Robert A. Wright, who retired June 30 after 23 years as vice president for financial affairs and a UA career that spanned 35 years. Reba Essary, associate vice president for finance, has served as interim vice president since Wright’s retirement.

“I am very grateful for Reba Essary’s interim leadership during the search process,” Witt said. “I would also like to extend my thanks to each member of the vice presidential search committee and Dr. Robert Ingram, who headed that committee, for their work in identifying and interviewing candidates for this post.”