President Robert K. McMahan announced the appointment of Tom Ayers as the new Vice President for Administration and Finance at Kettering University in Flint, Mich., beginning July 1, 2012.

“Tom brings three decades of pertinent experience to Kettering and a superb record of leadership in operational services, management and budgeting,” President McMahan said. “His expertise on endowment management, campus master planning, facilities marketing and campus relationships with chief financial officers have made him a sought-after speaker at national conferences. His volunteer work extends to the Boy Scouts of America and community foundation work,” McMahan added.

Ayers said he is honored to be joining the team at Kettering University and is excited to start his new role. “I am looking forward to working with everyone in helping the institution move forward in meeting the challenges before us, while recognizing the great work that has been done in the past,” Ayers said. “I believe Kettering is uniquely positioned to truly make a difference through preparing students and in moving STEM initiatives forward in our nation,” he added.

Ayers comes to Kettering University having most recently served as the Executive Vice President for Operations & Treasurer at Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, which has been consistently ranked among the top ten regional colleges in the Midwest. He led the operational areas of accounting services, human relations, auxiliary services, physical plant and technology services. He was also responsible for leading the budgeting process and for the management of endowment investments. During his time at Huntington, the institution experienced significant enrollment growth and greater financial stability. Two highlights of his experience at Huntington were overseeing the construction of an 80,000 square-foot state-of-art undergraduate science hall and mentoring two of his staff to go on to serve as vice presidents at other private colleges.

Prior to Ayers’ service at Huntington University, he served as Business Manager & Director of Personnel at Earlham College and as Director of Financial Aid at Taylor University.

Ayers earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Taylor University and later received both a master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration and a master’s of Business Administration from Ball State University.