Search for UA marketer narrows, four finalists selected from pool

The position of new vice president for advancement attracted 143 applicants from across the country after it was advertised in June. Each of the four top picks will endure two days of interviews and a reception with various UA groups the next seven days.

"It will be a substantial process," said Richard Eribes, search committee chairman and college of architecture dean. "We have yet to talk to these people and we have very specific questions."

Saundra Taylor, UA vice president for student life and search committee member, said the new post is "not your typical administrative position" and requires "a lot of versatility."

The new administrator will report directly to the president and oversee activities involving contact with external constituencies, including the media, government officials, the Arizona Board of Regents, alumni and fundraising foundations.

Eribes said the committee and other groups on campus will be involved in the interviewing process, though they will not make the final choice.

Eribes said that in addition to meeting with the search committee, candidates will meet with alumni office staff, Faculty Senate leaders and other UA community members. He said Likins will look to each group for input before making a final decision.

UA President Peter Likins announced in February that the university would recruit someone to assist with integrating the UA into its surrounding community. His plan was to restore the previously eliminated vice president for external affairs position and change the name.

"President Likins will be the person that makes the decision on who to hire," Eribes said. "But he will specifically look to the search committee to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates."

Taylor said Likins is expected to make a decision by November.

She said the job attracted a large applicant pool because it called for wide range of qualifications and experiences and did not require a doctorate degree.

"This is one of those positions where it's so far reaching and has so many components that people in the private sector can demonstrate the experience necessary," Taylor said.

The four finalists have varying backgrounds and professional experiences:

Janet Bingham is the UA assistant vice president for health sciences. Bingham has been with the university for 15 years, handling various public affairs roles. She has served as the university's national news coordinator, as a lobbyist and worked with the university's first capital development campaign from 1987-1989.

Gerrit Cormany has served on the University of Arizona Foundation board of directors for the past five years. He has been in the financial services industry for 22 years and is a past member of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce as well as the executive committee of the Greater Tucson Economic Development Council.

Judy Jones currently serves as the interim vice president for institutional advancement at the University of New Mexico. She served as executive assistant to the president of UNM since 1988 and was named interim vice president in January. Before working at the UNM, Jones served as chief of operations for the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration.

William Polf is currently the deputy vice president for external relations and strategic programs at Columbia University's Health Sciences Center. He is on several research and biotechnology association boards of directors and has been at Columbia University since 1981. Prior to joining the university staff, he served as chief research analyst for the speaker of the New York State Assembly.

The candidates' backgrounds and their reasons for wanting the job vary.

Bingham said she would be good for the position because she has performed many of the same duties for the University Medical Center.

"I have worked in all areas this position covers," Bingham said.

Cormany said his work for the community would make him the ideal candidate, although he refused to compare himself to the other three.

"My experiences and involvement in the community - with the United Way, the Tucson Economic Development Corp. and the Chamber of Commerce - those experiences are what I bring to the job."

Jones, Polf and Likins could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Anthony C. Braza can be reached via e-mail at Anthony.C.Braza@wildcat.arizona.edu.