James A. Wright Jr. Joins Anderson University Administration
New Vice President of Finance and Operations begins duties at AU
James A. Wright Jr. has been
named Vice President for Finance and Operations at Anderson University
according to President Evans P. Whitaker.
Wright
comes to Anderson after a long and successful tenure at the South Carolina
Baptist Convention where for more than three decades he oversaw the financial
operations, statewide denominational facilities, and human resource functions
of the convention. His most recent assignment at the convention was as
Associate Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. He began his duties at Anderson
University in late October.
“James
Wright is one of the most respected and admired leaders I know,” said Dr.
Whitaker. “In guiding the SCBC from a business standpoint, he oversaw the
development of impressive facilities and greatly enhanced the effectiveness of
the way the Convention conducted business, all with a grace and demeanor that
won him scores of friends throughout South Carolina and beyond. We are truly
blessed that he has joined our team at this pivotal time of advancement in
Anderson University history.”
Wright serves as chief financial officer of the 2,700-student selective private
university that operates an annual budget of $43 million. In addition, he oversees the
non-academic operations of the university including human resources, campus
facilities, campus safety, food service, grounds, bookstore, post office, print
services, and construction. His
position is a cabinet level role in which he is a member of the
president’s senior leadership team.
He participates in key decision-making and strategic planning and
works closely with the Finance Committee of the Board of Trust.
Most
recently, Wright served as a financial consultant to churches and associations
throughout the state in the areas of church accounting policies and procedures,
budget development, tax reporting requirements, and church incorporation and
bylaws.
Wright
is a magna cum laude graduate of The University of South Carolina where he
earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has been married to Gloria
Westmoreland Wright since 1977.
Anderson University is a selective comprehensive university offering
bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees on campus and online. Anderson is ranked in the Top Tier of US
News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges and is on that publication’s
list of the 46 “Up & Coming” universities in America. It is also ranked as one of America’s “100
Best College Buys.”
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