Nelson Murphy, Catawba College's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will assume additional responsibilities by taking on the role of Executive Vice President at the institution effective April 1.
In his current capacities, Murphy has been taking on broader coordination and execution of activities related to information technology, enrollment management, development operations, and communications. His new role will formalize those reporting responsibilities, enabling College President Brien Lewis to focus on longer term strategic objectives and major resource development.
Current members of Lewis' cabinet who are responsible for those aforementioned areas will continue to serve as cabinet officers and work directly with the President on cabinet-level decisions. Catawba's Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby will have a "dotted line" reporting relationship with the President to insure that institutional authority is maintained in compliance with accreditation standards. The operational focus of Murphy's new role will continue to enhance and expedite decision-making and improve efficiency as the President is away from campus more frequently for fundraising activities.
Catawba appointed Murphy as Vice President of Business and Finance in January of 2015 to succeed retiring Chief Financial Officer Chuck Williams. Prior to joining Catawba, Murphy enjoyed a robust and varied career as a financial leader supporting a variety of domestic and international businesses. This included senior roles with AT&T, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Reader's Digest Europe, and Telegis Networks, Inc., a venture capital backed business in Los Gatos, Calif.
Murphy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University. He completed the Darden Executive Education program through the University of Virginia.
He and wife Carol live in Salisbury and are parents of adult sons, Connor and Charlie.
