New Chief Financial Officer Named

Julie Collins will become Westminster School’s chief financial officer beginning in July 2018. She is currently the director of business services at Deerfield Academy, where she has worked for 19 years.

 

Westminster’s current CFO, Tom Earl, who was appointed to the faculty in 1977, will retire at the end of the current school year. During his four decades leading the Business Office, he transformed the school’s financial operations.

 

Following Tom’s decision to retire, a national search for his successor was led by a committee that included Ted Dardani P’14, ’18, Steve Bailey ’89, P’21, Lori Durham P’13, ’15, Nancy Spencer P’13, ’15, Carol Kirsch P’11, Brad Raymond ’85, P’19, ’20 and Headmaster Bill Philip, as advised by John Clark, search consultant with Carney Sandoe & Associates.

 

“After reviewing many talented and highly experienced candidates, this committee unanimously and enthusiastically selected Julie Collins as Westminster School’s new chief financial officer,” said Headmaster Philip. “Her deep experience managing the financial operations of a highly respected peer school, her appreciation of the unique qualities that distinguish boarding school communities and her remarkable personal qualities highlighted her compelling candidacy for this appointment. Please join me in extending our warmest Westminster welcome to Julie.”

 

After serving as assistant controller and controller, Julie’s current role at Deerfield Academy includes oversight of daily operations of the Finance Office, which includes seven staff members and three campus store staff. She manages Deerfield’s budgeting process, provides data, analysis and presentations, and oversees auxiliary programs. She also collaborates with Deerfield’s operations team, including Facilities, Food Service, Human Resources, Information Technology and Security. Among many other responsibilities, she assists with tax exempt bond issues, is responsible for the oversight of accounting for endowment investment activity, participates in the campus master planning process and liaisons with the Advancement Office.

 

Before Deerfield, Julie spent six years as the manager of budget and decision support for Baystate Franklin Medical Center and six years in the audit division of Coopers & Lybrand. She started her career as a senior accountant for Derand Investment Company. She holds a B.S. in accounting from Boston College’s School of Management and is a certified public accountant. Her two sons are graduates of Deerfield Academy.

 

“I am delighted to join Westminster, and I am excited to work with this talented and dedicated community,” said Julie. “Tom Earl’s 40-year commitment to Westminster is inspiring, and I look forward to continuing his financial stewardship and support of the school’s students, faculty and staff.”