Bennett to replace Timmreck as VP for finance

“John Bennett is a natural. He will help VCU tremendously.”

Those are the words of Sen. John Watkins, R-Midlothian, in reaction to John Bennett’s appointment as VCU’s vice president for finance.

Watkins, who worked with Bennett on the Senate Finance Committee, said Bennett understands the state budget system. Since he represents part of Richmond, Watkins said he involves himself with some of the priorities of VCU administrators and works with them to help their initiatives during the legislative session.

Bennett, who currently serves as Virginia’s Secretary of Finance, said as VCU’s finance vice president he will cover a broad set of responsibilities-basically everything nonacademic, including finances, parking, procurement and security. These duties, he said, resemble those of his current position as the commonwealth’s chief financial officer.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary, Bennett attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for post-graduate studies in urban and regional planning, with a focus on budgeting and economic development issues.

Since then, Bennett has worked in public service.

In Virginia, he served as the staff director of the Senate Finance Committee and worked on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission before Gov. Mark Warner appointed Secretary of Finance in January 2002.

After working in the same five-building Capitol Square complex for 25 years, Bennett said he is ready for a change.

“At this point in my career, I was looking for something where I could actually make a difference and see the difference,” he said.

Paul Timmreck, VCU’s senior vice president for finance and administration, retires in June 2006. He said he will work with Bennett for five months to ensure a smooth transition into the responsibilities of the position.

“We’ll have ample opportunity to work side by side on the biggest priorities facing the administration of VCU,” Timmreck said.

In a Nov. 4 e-mail to students announcing Bennett’s appointment, VCU President Eugene P. Trani said Bennett “clearly emerged as eminently qualified for the position” from an excellent pool of candidates.

Chanel Gray, a junior criminal justice major, said he thinks Bennett’s time on the Senate Finance Committee, numerous degrees in urban planning plus his time advising the governor gives him a lot of experience for his position at VCU.

“This is a natural place for him.”

Timmreck said he will work with Bennett on the university’s budget, the ongoing building construction program and the implementation of an $8 million overhaul of the school’s administrative computing system.

“He’s a good fit for VCU and VCU is a good fit for John,” Timmreck said.

After 25 years of working for the state with Timmreck, in some ways, Bennett said their careers have paralleled each other. Both not only served on JLARC, but also directed the Senate Finance Committee and served as Secretary of Finance.

“There’s some irony in the fact that he has this job, and that I’ve applied for this job,” Bennett said. “VCU is a vibrant, growing institution. I want to be part of its future.”

Bennett said he is looking forward to helping VCU reach its full potential.

“I’m also looking forward to being in a place where knowledge is created and learning is an everyday process,” he said.

Before coming to VCU, the state’s financial secretary said he needs to complete the work for his current position, which includes preparing the governor’s 2006 executive budget. Beyond that, he said, he will start to make contact with future colleagues and staff.

“I’ve been very impressed thus far by everyone I’ve met at VCU,” Bennett said. “They’ve all been talented, focused and committed.”