Newswise — COLLEGE PARK, Md. - President Wallace D. Loh has appointed Robert M. Specter as the University of Maryland's vice president for administrative affairs - the institution's chief fiscal and administrative officer.
Specter brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in higher education to the post, most recently as business leader of an extensive redevelopment project at the University of Delaware, and the institution's vice president for finance. He begins at Maryland Sept. 1.
Specter will report directly to President Loh, and one of his first tasks will be development of the university's budget for FY 2013. His longer-term responsibilities will include collaboration with community and business leaders on revitalizing neighborhoods near campus to provide a more vibrant and safe environment.
"Rob is well-positioned to lead the transformation of our campus environment for the benefit of students, faculty, staff and the broader community," says President Loh. "A world-class research university must have a world-class college town. Rob brings the experience and skills to realize our strategic vision and lead our wide-ranging administrative operations. We're thrilled to welcome him."
Currently, Specter serves as chief business officer for redevelopment of a 272-acre former Chrysler Corporation facility that will allow expansion of Delaware's physical campus over the next century. The project will comprise mixed-use space for a science and technology campus, including research and development, high-tech manufacturing, graduate education, hotel/conference services, retail, housing and transportation facilities.
Specter also played a major role in developing a utility-scale wind turbine facility for Delaware's Lewes campus. The turbine produces more than enough electricity to power the entire campus, and generates a revenue stream dedicated to support wind power research.
Among his other roles at Delaware, Specter has served as chairman of the Blue Hen Hotel LLC, which owns a Marriott-branded facility on Delaware's campus.
Previously, Specter served as vice president for administration and finance at the City University of New York's Baruch College, and was the senior financial and administrative officer at Oregon State University and Montana State. He was also chief financial officer for the State of Iowa Board of Regents.
Specter serves as a volunteer with many professional and community organizations including the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers, the U.S. Green Building Council and the United Way.
He earned his bachelor's degree in geoscience at the University of Rochester, an MS degree in geology at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and an MBA at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business.
"I'm delighted by this opportunity to contribute to the growth and improvement of the university," Specter says. "Maryland's impressive faculty is second to none, and it deserves the best facilities and services to support it. I look forward to making a lasting contribution to the success of the university as part of President Loh's leadership team, and to being a strong partner with the community in economic revitalization."
Specter replaces Frank Brewer, who has delayed his retirement to assist during the transition.
"I'm grateful that Frank graciously has offered to share the benefit of his 42 years of UMD experience as I join the university," Specter says. "His leadership and counsel will allow us to maintain the considerable momentum of our projects, and will help me to hit the ground running in the fall."
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