I am pleased to announce that Bob Huth, a frequent visitor from Middlebury and valued partner in our preparations for financial integration, has agreed to take on a significant role in the MIIS community over the next 16 months.

Bob, who is currently Executive Vice President at Middlebury, will take on the principal responsibility for guiding and supporting our financial operations effective July 1, 2009, and lead those efforts all the way through full integration with Middlebury on June 30, 2010.

Bob has been involved in the Middlebury-Monterey affiliation since it began, and has worked diligently with colleagues at Monterey to lay the groundwork to ensure the smoothest transition possible for both Monterey and Middlebury.

A graduate of Moravian College, Bob has been at Middlebury since 1998 and is a certified public accountant with an M.B.A. from Lehigh University. Bob has over 30 years of experience in finance and accounting, including serving as Senior Vice President for Administration at Moravian College and Controller of Lehigh University.  He is a past President of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO), a former Board member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) from 2001 to 2004, and has served as a Commissioner of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) since 2007.

Bob will spend approximately 3/4 of his time in California and, back in Vermont, will continue to oversee Middlebury’s Department of Facilities Services and real estate holdings.  He will also continue his service as a NEASC commissioner.

Bob and his wife Barbara are in the process of relocating to Monterey for the duration of this assignment, and I am sure you will all give them a warm reception.

Jim Graber, who has provided exceptional service to the Institute as interim CFO during the early stages of integration, will complete his contract at the end of June, at which time Bob will assume the title of Acting Executive Director of Business and Finance Operations at the Institute.

We are extremely grateful for Jim’s contribution to the Institute, as a six-month initial assignment turned into a two-and-a-half-year stay marked by increasing financial stability and progress toward our strategic goal of long-term sustainability.  We have been fortunate to benefit from Jim’s wisdom and experience, and he and Deb will remain in our circle of friends in the Monterey community.