As the University announced in July, Brett Padgett has been named the University’s new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Brett will begin his tenure at Syracuse on Thursday, September 1. Brett will report directly to the Chancellor.
Beginning on September 1, Gwenn Judge will transition out of the interim CFO role and into a role as the Special Advisor to the Chancellor and the Chief Financial Officer. Gwenn will remain in Crouse-Hinds Hall and will continue to be supported by the administrative office of the Chief Financial Officer.
In his new role, Padgett will oversee the financial well-being of Syracuse University, working closely with the Chancellor to proactively position the University to navigate a dynamic financial landscape, optimize resources and investments, and align the budget model in support of the University’s core mission of academic excellence. He will work closely with several committees of the Board of Trustees, including the Facilities, Finance, Audit and Risk, and Investment and Endowment committees.
Prior to joining the University, Padgett served as Associate Vice President for Finance at the University of Chicago. In this position, Padgett was responsible for accounting and financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, payroll and human resource services, procurement and payment services, and treasury. Before joining the private sector, Brett served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant in Special Operations.
Padgett earned a master of business administration from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He also attended U.S. Navy Schools in Charleston, South Carolina; Newport, Rhode Island; Athens, Georgia; Panama City, Florida; and Coronado, California.