Bob Patterson really wasn’t looking for this, or any other job. He‘s been happily working at the Controller’s Office as manager of cost and financial analysis for the past eight years. He loved his job and the people he worked with. But when the H&FS chief financial officer position was announced, a few people from our Division called Bob and urged him to apply. Since he’s been on campus now for sixteen years, and has worked with a number of H&FS Department Heads on different projects, he was well aware of our Division’s excellent reputation. So he threw his hat in the ring, but never really expected to get the job.

Obviously, he did get the job, and despite the sorrow he felt at leaving the Controller’s Office, he welcomes the new challenge. “I worked a lot with H&FS over the past dozen years or so, and I knew that this was a very well-run Division with good people at the helm. That really helped me with my decision to apply for this job.”

Natural at Numbers

Bob’s always loved mathematics and business, so accounting was a natural choice for him. Growing up in Lansing, he graduated from Sexton High School and then lived in Hubbard Hall for two years while working on his accounting degree.

Following graduation, Bob went to work for Price Waterhouse Coopers in Detroit and became a certified public accountant. In 1985, he moved back to accept the budget director position at St. Lawrence Hospital. Six years later, Bob joined the MSU family again as business manager of the Pathology Department. In 1996, he became the manager of cost and financial analysis in the Controller’s Office, where he remained until now.

Short Term / Long Term

Like most successful people, Patterson has goals, both long- and short-term, related to his position with the Division. Most immediately, he’s spending as much time as possible with Chief Technology Officer Dick Sigelko, who is retiring in April, and Auxiliary Services Director Mike Rice, who is retiring in May. Both Sigelko and Rice have been with this Division for decades and have a lot of financial expertise in regard to Divisional operations.

Sigelko is very pleased to have Patterson on board. Over the years, Sigelko took on the accounting functions that became necessary for the Division, in addition to his technology duties, which are sizeable on their own. But as the Division is changing and growing, a higher level of financial reporting is becoming necessary. “We prepared a variety of basic accounting reports, but not CFO work,” says Sigelko. “That takes somebody full time. Bob will be doing things we’ve never really done before – analyzing bonding for the future, and analyzing spending patterns for the future. We’re lucky to have Bob. He’ll be a tremendous asset to our Division.”

In the short term, Patterson is helping to develop the finance and reporting functions of our new Strategic Plan, as well as participating in the Plan’s visioning process. Additionally, he’s working to establish a funding plan for the many needed renovations and upgrades in the residence halls, apartments, and auxiliary facilities that have been long postponed. “The list now is daunting because so many buildings were built during the 50s and 60s,” says Patterson. “We can’t do everything at once, and we can’t shut everything down at once because we still need to serve 15,000 students. It will take patience. Change here is evolutionary, not revolutionary.”

While the aforementioned renovations will certainly extend into long-term planning, other long-term goals for Patterson include the integration of Housing & Food Services into MSU’s new Enterprise Business Systems Project (EBSP), which will replace the University’s existing financial and human resource information systems.

The Future, So Far

After just a few weeks in his new job, Bob is impressed with what he’s seen. “The books that I’m inheriting are very tidy and well kept, and that’s thanks to the previous administration. The accounting, finance and information technology systems are thorough and do a good job of accurately maintaining and recording the operations of the Division.” Numbers guys love this stuff, of course, but people are the essential other half of the equation. Integrity, dedication, and enthusiasm are important to Bob, and he’s found all that here in our staff and leadership. “I’m seeing enthusiasm in the Units and a sharing of a common vision for the Division, along with excitement about our new leadership with Vennie. I’m impressed that morale is high and everyone is focused on service.”

Assistant Vice President Vennie Gore is enthusiastic as well. He notes Patterson’s previous experience and what it offers the Division. “As we move forward in our strategic plan, we have to, as a Division, figure out how we’re going to pay for all the things we need to do. Bob comes to us as a certified public accountant, who has done audit work both inside and outside the University. His skill level will help us in terms of looking at our operation from a financial perspective and will keep us healthy.”

“I’m happy to be here,” says Patterson. “Folks have been very gracious in welcoming me. And my background in the Controller’s Office has allowed me to bring a different perspective to how things work here on campus. I am very pleased to be joining Housing & Food Services and look forward to serving and assisting our departments in achieving their financial goals.”

You’ll be seeing Patterson around the Division, since he plans to get out and visit the Units soon. If you’re here in Holmes Hall, stop by and say hello. His door is usually open.

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