Franz named vice chancellor for business and finance
Kelly J. Franz
Kelly J. Franz, an administrator and accountant with 25 years of higher education experience with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the UW System, has been appointed Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance at UW-Green Bay.
Chancellor Thomas K. Harden announced today the selection of Franz, who will begin his new duties March 1.
“I am delighted Kelly Franz has accepted our invitation to become UW-Green Bay’s chief business officer,” Harden said. “He has the skill set to succeed in what is a very challenging position.
“His background in auditing, accounting and budgeting will be valuable in helping manage a $117 million-per-year budget and his entrepreneurial experience in directing some of our self-supporting auxiliaries will be a plus. I also believe he has the vision and supervisory experience to manage the many and varied operations that will report to his office.”
The vice chancellor for business and finance reports directly to the chancellor and is the institution’s lead administrator for budgeting, accounting and fiscal control. The position also oversees roughly 175 employees and a range of business operations and services, including buildings and grounds, facilities planning, the controller’s office, purchasing, risk management, human resources, the campus bookstore, the student union, the campus golf course, motor pool, parking and public safety.
The selection of Franz followed a national search that included public presentations on campus the final week of January.
Franz has served as UW-Green Bay controller since 2006. He joined the University in 1991 as director of auxiliary services and was appointed associate controller in 1998. He previously spent eight years as an internal auditor for UW System central administration, based in Madison but traveling to audit operations at campuses across the state.
“Kelly’s history with the UW System and knowledge of the relatively complex policies and procedures are going to be advantages,” Harden said. “The vice chancellor for business and finance takes a leadership role across the University in terms of helping interpret state statutes, administrative codes, federal tax laws and UW System policies.”
In his role as controller, Franz monitored the institutional budget and directed UW-Green Bay accounting and financial control systems and year-end reporting. He was responsible for administrative oversight of the Bursar’s Office, general accounting, grants accounting, travel services, internal audits and the Phoenix Bookstore.
Additionally, Franz provides financial reporting services and serves as the institutional liaison to the citizen board of directors for University Village Housing, Inc. The non-profit corporation has built 17 modern, privately funded residence halls at UW-Green Bay over the past two decades.
A native of Marshfield, Franz earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting at UW-Eau Claire. He holds a master’s of business administration degree from UW-Oshkosh. He and his wife, Kristi, are the parents of three children.
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