RADFORD – Radford University has hired Richard S. Alvarez – a career United States Marine Corps officer with more than 35 years of executive management experience in the public and private sectors, including more than 20 years in higher education administration – as its new chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration.

Alvarez, currently vice president for finance and administration at Hollins University, will assume his post at Radford University on Aug. 3.

"We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Richard Alvarez’ caliber, character and achievement join our team and helm our financial operations at such a crucial moment in Radford University's history," said President Penelope W. Kyle. "As we weather the current economic crisis and prepare for the most ambitious expansion of our campus facilities, Richard's professionalism and experience will be vital.”

Alvarez served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1988 in a broad spectrum of leadership roles, including aviator, flight instructor, district head of officer recruiting, head of the leadership and management department for the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, executive officer of a Marine Corps air base in Japan, and assistant professor of naval science in the Naval ROTC department at Virginia Tech.

From 1987 to 2000, he held various posts at Virginia Tech, ultimately serving as associate vice president for information systems and computing. From there he went to work as a general manager for the global education solutions division of Systems and Computer Technology, Inc. In 2002, he joined the Hollins University community, first as vice president for facilities and technology, and for the past five years as vice president for finance and administration.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Auburn University; a master’s of science in systems management from the University of Southern California; and has completed doctoral coursework in public policy design, public administration and political inquiry, and advanced topics in public administration at Virginia Tech.

At Radford University, Alvarez will be a member of the senior leadership team that advises the president and will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic planning and administrative oversight of the university’s $160 million budget. He will also be responsible for university services such as campus dining, the university bookstore, and campus parking and transit. He will also direct the work of the department of facilities, planning and construction.

In this latter role, he will supervise renovations of university facilities and construction of new projects as RU embarks on the most ambitious capital improvement plan in its history. These capital projects include, among others, a $44 million signature building for the College of Business and Economics, a new $37 million College of Science and Technology building, a new $32 million student fitness and wellness center, a center for graduate studies, and new residence halls.

“For the past five years, Richard has played an instrumental role in establishing and maintaining a strong financial foundation for our university. He has been an outstanding administrator and a valued member of our campus community who will be greatly missed,” said Hollins University President Nancy Gray. “I congratulate him on this opportunity, and I know he will bring exceptional insight and expertise to Radford University.”