Bob Huth to become Stetson University vice president for business, CFO

Photo for Headline Surfer / Stetson University is handing over its CFO reigns to Robert F. Huth Jr., a New England college administrator.

By HENRY FREDERICK
Headline Surfer

DeLand, Fla. -- Robert Huth Jr., an experienced business and finance administrator who currently serves as executive vice president at Middlebury College in Vermont, has been named vice president for business and chief financial officer at Stetson University.

Huth will join Stetson in July, succeeding George H. Herbst, who is retiring. Huth has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, serving at Moravian College and Lehigh University in Pennsylvania before joining the administrative team at Middlebury in 1998.Salary terms were not disclosed.

Stetson President Wendy Libby said Huth's experience in fiscal matters as well as leadership were paramount in his hiring.

"We have been developing a strategic plan for the university and a campus master plan for the DeLand campus, and it was important that we select a CFO with excellent capabilities in strategic planning and budgeting," said Stetson President Wendy B. Libby. "Bob Huth has shown, in his professional and volunteer work, outstanding skills that move an institution forward. And, he's proven that he can work well with the rest of the Stetson team to enhance our strategic thinking and build on our momentum."

Huth will oversee Stetson's budget and financial functions including technology, human resources, investments and facilities. A primary focus will be giving voice to Stetson's strategic goals through financial, facilities and resources planning.

He said he is looking forward to partnering with Provost Beth Paul to ensure the academic area has adequate resources, and to working with the College of Law to enhance synergy and communication between Stetson's campuses.

"I am excited about all of the opportunities Stetson has and the momentum that is building there," Huth said. "I've already met a lot of people and feel really good about the leadership of President Libby and the faculty and staff. I enjoy working with students, who bring knowledge and passion to projects. I am all about teams and about building institutions and people - that is what I have done wherever I have worked. I am looking forward to this new challenge."

"I am excited about all of the opportunities Stetson has and the momentum that is building there," Huth said. "I've already met a lot of people and feel really good about the leadership of President Libby and the faculty and staff. I enjoy working with students, who bring knowledge and passion to projects. I am all about teams and about building institutions and people - that is what I have done wherever I have worked. I am looking forward to this new challenge."

Middlebury is a highly ranked private liberal arts college with a strong international and environmental focus. It is similar in enrollment size to Stetson.

At Middlebury, Huth played a key role in the research and acquisition of the Monterey Institute in California and in the integration of the graduate campus into the college. He oversaw construction of a new library, science center, three residence halls, two dining halls, a humanities center, biomass plant and a number of major renovation projects.

He was involved in Middlebury's carbon neutrality initiative, supporting the work of its Environmental Council. In 2006, he played an important role in Middlebury's strategic planning committee and process, and, in 2008, he oversaw the college's master plan effort.

A CPA, Huth served the Pennsylvania firms of Vondercrone and Behrens, CPAs, and Haskins and Sells prior to working in higher education. He earned his undergraduate degree at Moravian College and an MBA with emphasis in finance and management at Lehigh University.

FAST FACTS

• Huth is a board member and Audit Committee chair of the Tuition Plan Consortium and a commissioner of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accrediting agency.
• He served as president of the Addison County, Vt., Chamber of Commerce in 2008.
• He is past president of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers, and in 2008, received the organization's Distinguished Service Award.
• He is married to Barbara Huth, an active volunteer with the United Way and other civic organizations. They have four grown daughters and four grandchildren.