DFES Senior Leadership Team

Richard H. Cate, Vice President for Finance & Administration and University Treasurer

Richard Cate became Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Vermont in 2008, followed by his permanent appointment as Vice President in 2009. Richard also serves as a lecturer for the University in the Master of Public Administration program. Prior to coming to UVM, Richard had served as Vermont’s Commissioner of Education since 2003, preceded by his service as executive deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the New York State Education Department where he managed a budget of more than $19 billion and a staff of over 3,100 employees. Prior to that, he served as that department's chief financial officer. Richard has extensive experience in Vermont education and civil service. Among his positions in the state, he served for seven years as executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association (non-profit) and for five years as city manager of the City of Barre, where his responsibilities included leading the departments of city government and managing the municipal budget. Before being appointed as City Manager, Richard served on the Barre City Council for three years.

A native Vermonter, Richard graduated from Montpelier High School before attending the University of Vermont, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He later earned a Master of Public Administration degree and a C.A.S. in Planning and Policy Analysis from Rockefeller College at the University of Albany.

William P. Ballard, Associate Vice President for Administrative & Facilities Services

As Associate Vice President for Administrative and Facilities Services, William P. Ballard oversees a service group of more than 500 employees, including CatCard Services, Conference and Event Services, Custodial Services, Davis Center Operations, Physical Plant, Police Services, Print and Mail Center, Risk Management and Environmental Safety, Transportation and Parking Services, and the UVM Bookstore. Bill began his career at UVM in 1969, serving first in management positions in Residential Life and then joining the central administration in 1980. He has served as AVP of AFS since 1990.

A native Vermonter, Bill graduated from Montpelier High School and holds an A.S. in Business Administration from Mitchell College, and a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A from UVM. He also holds a professional certificate in educational management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Bill co-chairs UVM’s Emergency Operations Group, and is an IAEM-certified Emergency Manager, DRII-certified Business Continuity Professional, and EMAP Assessor who speaks regularly on emergency management topics. He has been an active member of several professional associations, most recently serving in leadership positions within the National Association of College Auxiliary Services.

Claire Burlingham, University Controller

Claire L. Burlingham joined UVM as University Controller in May 2009. Prior to assuming this position, she served as Dean of Administration at State University of New York (SUNY) Ulster County campus. Claire began her career in the SUNY system 22 years ago as Director of Accounting and worked her way up through the ranks, serving as Associate Dean of Administration at SUNY Duchess and Controller and Dean of Administration at SUNY Ulster. Prior to entering the field of academia Claire spent seven years as a senior staff accountant in the public accounting field.

She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Siena College and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in financial management from Marist College. In addition to her work as a professional in the financial management field, Claire has also served as an adjunct professor at SUNY Ulster, SUNY Duchess, and Marist College, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in financial accounting, tax, auditing, and financial management.

Alberto Citarella, University Budget Director

Stephanie Dion, Director, Administrative Business Service Center

Stephanie Dion is Director of the Administrative Business Service Center. In this role, she co-leads the team in its mission of providing an enhanced level of service and expertise in administrative core services such as finance and human resource processes. Departments served currently include the Offices of the President and Provost, Division of Finance & Enterprise Services, Division of Enrollment Management, and Vice President of Research and Graduate College. 

Stephanie’s previous roles at UVM include senior financial manager for Enterprise Technology Services and budget analyst for Financial Analysis and Budgeting. Stephanie worked as a senior financial analyst for General Dynamics before coming to the University in 2005. She graduated from the UVM with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and holds a Master of Science in Administration from Saint Michael’s College.

Barbara L. Johnson, Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services

Barbara L. Johnson, Ed.M., serves as the Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services at the University of Vermont. Throughout her extensive career in Human Resource Management in higher education and in the private sector, Ms. Johnson has specialized in the development of management practices and reward systems that strengthen and encourage high-performing individuals and organizations. Her experience also includes the development of innovative, programmatic approaches to recruitment and retention, performance communication, employee relations and labor relations management, including models for peer mediation and organizational change. She lectures extensively in human resource management at the graduate level, and she is a frequent speaker at professional conferences on change management, ethical practices, innovative pay practices, career development, and women in management.

Ms. Johnson holds a Masters of Education degree in Higher Education Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University, as well as professional certifications in compensation and benefits administration from World at Work and lifetime certification as a Senior HR Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Julia Russell, Director of Business Practices & Planning

Julia Russell joined the DFES leadership team in the fall of 2008 as the Director of Business Practices & Planning. In this role, she leads the Business Process Re-engineering Team in its dual mission of improving administrative processes on campus and in providing support for the PeopleSoft system. Julia also co-leads the University Business Council, an advisory body to the Vice President for Finance & Administration charged with advancing the university’s mission, vision, and strategic goals through the development of efficient, sustainable business practices.

Julia’s previous roles at UVM include budgeting team lead for Project Catalyst, the PeopleSoft implementation project; senior analyst in the Office of Financial Analysis & Budgeting; and information systems support to Grant & Contract Accounting and the Office of Sponsored Programs. Before coming to the University, Julia worked in variety of information systems positions at Polaroid Corporation in Massachusetts. Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and math from Dartmouth College, an MBA from Boston University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Vermont.

Gioia Thompson, Director of the Office of Sustainability

Gioia Thompson began working on sustainable practices at the University of Vermont with the creation of the Environmental Council in 1996, and became director of the new Office of Sustainability in 2008. The office’s two full-time staff members and four graduate fellows are responsible for tracking the institution’s environmental performance; recommending environmentally responsible practices; working with students, faculty members, and staff members on projects; and connecting with the Vermont and higher education communities. Current activities include supporting the EcoReps, a residential peer-education program; analyzing the University’s greenhouse gas emissions and drafting a Climate Action Plan in accordance with the Presidents’ Climate Commitment; and coordinating the university’s Clean Energy Fund. Gioia serves on the steering committees of the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium and the Burlington Legacy Project. 

Gioia received a B.A. in Environmental Studies in 1987 with an honors thesis on municipal leaf composting, and an M.S. in Natural Resources in 2000 on sustainability in higher education, both from the University of Vermont. 

H. David Todd, Ph.D., Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President for Enterprise Technology Services

Dr. H. David Todd is UVM's Chief Information Officer (CIO). He is responsible for information technology leadership at UVM, including support for academic computing and planning and management of the adminstrative information, networking, and telecomunications services provided by Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). Prior to his current position, he held positions as Vice Provost and CIO at the University of San Diego, Vice Provost for Outreach and Executive Director of Information Services at Montana State University-Bozeman, and Director of Information Technology Services and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Wesleyan University.

David has served in a number of professional roles in higher education information technology organizations, most recently as Board Member and Chair of the Seminars on Academic Computing and Faculty Member and Director of the Educause Leadership Institute. He is the author of a number of articles in theoretical chemistry, has presented on computing and information systems planning and management at EDUCAUSE, and most recently has collaborated with colleagues on publications related to higher-education information systems management. David earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University.

Albert J. Turgeon, Senior Strategist for Enterprise Risk and Planning

As Senior Strategist for Enterprise Risk and Planning, Al Turgeon directs strategic planning and performance management processes for DFES, and manages the University's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program in support of the VPFA in his role as Chief Risk Officer. Al also co-chairs theUniversity's ERM Advisory Committee. As Executive Assistant to the VPFA from 2005 to 2010, Al led initiatives including institutional pandemic planning as co-chair of the Emergency Management Planning Working Group, the implementation of a Divisional performance management system based on the Balanced Scorecard, and numerous administrative and operational improvements for DFES.

Al previously was chair and a faculty member of UVM’s Department of Military Studies. He is retired from the Army after a 24-year career featuring numerous operational assignments in Korea, Kansas, Illinois, Germany, Iraq/Kuwait, Lebanon, Vermont, and other locales. Al earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Norwich University in 1979 and a Masters of Arts in Business from Webster University in 1996. Al lives in Williston and serves as a Chittenden County Transportation Authority commissioner.

Robert B. Vaughan, Director of Capital Planning & Management

Bob Vaughan leads the team that plans, designs, and constructs UVM’s built environment, overseeing the Departments of Campus Planning Services (campus master planning, land use regulatory processes, space and real estate management, city/institutional relations) and Facilities Design and Construction (project management, professional services coordination and oversight) as well as the institution’s Green Building Program for all new construction and major renovation projects. He is responsible for the planning and execution of all University capital projects through the University’s Strategic Capital Plan.

Before joining UVM in 2000, Bob served as the Director of Planning for Brown University where he managed campus master planning, project programming, service response operation, events support, and the deferred maintenance program. He also has substantial experience in the private sector, as a former principal of a consulting engineering firm specializing in facilities assessment for major educational and governmental institutions.  Bob began his career in facilities planning with the U.S. Naval Air Depot in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech.

Last modified July 27 2012 09:36 AM