Dear Colleagues,

Following a national search, I am pleased to share that Richard J. Sobieray has been named Temple University’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. Subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees later today, Rich will assume his new responsibilities on August 1.

An accomplished executive leader with extensive experience in higher education and academic health systems, Rich joins Temple from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he serves as vice president and chief financial officer. In this role, he manages more than $60 billion in assets and a $1.7 billion operating budget, overseeing financial, purchasing, information technology operations and resource allocation in support of the 2030 Strategic Plan for KAUST.

Throughout his career, Rich has demonstrated a strong ability to lead complex organizations, strengthen financial performance and align resources with strategic priorities. Prior to KAUST, he served as senior vice president for financial strategy and administrative services and chief financial officer at the University of South Florida, where he eliminated a $50 million budget deficit, achieved best year-end financial results, improving the university's net position by $200 million, and helped secure significant new state and federal investment.

In addition to his financial successes, he has supported universities with major information system installations, job architecture redesigns, capital renewal and information technology modernization plans, and the development of a clinically integrated network. He has also overseen major capital projects, including a new College of Medicine and Honors College.

At Temple, Rich will lead the university’s financial strategy and operations, working closely with university leadership to ensure long-term sustainability and support the priorities of the university’s strategic plan—Student Success, Research in Action and Place-based Impact. His portfolio will include Finance, Human Resources, Public Safety, Facilities Management Operations and Business Affairs.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to David Marino, whose stewardship of the university as interim chief operating officer was instrumental in helping set us on the course for success over this past year. Specifically, under David’s leadership, we undertook a comprehensive review of RCM and launched The Budget Model Task Force to help us develop a new model that will be put in place beginning this July. We are in a stronger place because of David’s efforts, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as he transitions back to his position of vice president for finance and treasurer upon Rich’s arrival.

I also want to thank our search advisory committee, co-chaired by Dean Richard Deeg and Chief Compliance Officer Susan Smith, for their efforts in helping guide this search over the past year.

I look forward to working closely with Rich. I am confident that his experience and leadership will strengthen Temple’s financial position and help advance our priorities in the years ahead. Read more about Rich in this Temple Now article.

Please join me in welcoming Rich to the Temple community.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President