Georgian Court names new CFO

Lakewood-based Georgian Court University announced Wednesday that John Sommer, a veteran public accountant with two decades of public and private sector experience, is the school’s new chief financial officer.Sommer is also the vice president for finance and administration.

Prior to Georgian Court, Sommer most recently served as CFO of Hudson County Community College, where he was responsible for the school’s capital and operating budgets, financial planning and reporting, risk management, pension and benefits and student accounts, among others.  He’s also served at Centenary College in Hackettstown, first as an assistant professor of accounting and later as CFO.

“John comes to us with some great experience, both at higher education institutions and in corporate positions. His work on both fronts will be important to Georgian Court as we continue to strengthen the university and how we serve our students,” President Rosemary E. Jeffries said in a statement.

At Georgian Couty, Sommer will manage the university’s financial accounting, budget and planning process, information technology, contracts, GCU’s facilities and its financial aid operations.

“The goal of providing an education that is affordable and accessible has long been a hallmark of our nation’s colleges and universities,” Sommer said in a statement. “However, given the fiscal challenges facing the institutions, students, and communities we serve, many schools have been forced to shift priorities and redirect resources.

“GCU’s strategic plan for 2012–2017 embraces a sound fiscal planning process that focuses our resources on organizational and student success. My goal is to build upon GCU’s past successes and provide continued support for the future.”

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