Purdue News

November 20, 1992 Appointments in Executive V.P. and treasurer's area approved WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.–The first reorganization of the Purdue University executive vice president and treasurer's area in 31 years will help the university better meet its ever-growing business and fiscal demands, the university's Board of Trustees was told Friday (11/20). The reorganization includes two senior administrative reassignments, effective Feb. 1. Howard S. Lyon, current vice president for business services and assistant treasurer, will become vice president for management information and long-range budget planning. Kenneth P. Burns, now vice president for physical facilities, will become vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. Both appointments were approved Friday by the board. Frederick R. Ford, executive vice president and treasurer, told the trustees: "While the reorganization was prompted by Howard Lyon's recent serious illness and his request for a reassignment, it has become clear to us that with the ever-increasing demands on our business and fiscal staffs, it is time for a reorganization." Ford said the last major reorganization in his area came in 1961, after the retirement of longtime Vice President and Treasurer R.B. Stewart. "The university and the environment in which we operate have changed considerably since then," Ford said. "The total university budget then was approximately $57 million, while today it totals $765 million. Enrollment has ballooned on the West Lafayette campus from 16,5OO to about 36,000. Thirty years ago, there was one computer in the Purdue Business office compared to more than 800 today." Purdue President Steven C. Beering said, "I have worked closely with Dr. Ford in the development of this reorganization plan and heartily endorse it. Both Howard Lyon and Ken Burns are trusted colleagues, and I am confident that they will continue to serve Purdue University well in their new assignments." As vice president for management information and long-range budget planning, Lyon will continue to be responsible for the Administrative Data Processing Center; development and implementation of the Administrative Computer Master Plan; and, in cooperation with the office of State Relations, the fiscal and statutory aspects of working with the Indiana legislature, the Commission for Higher Education and the State Budget Agency. He will retain responsibility for the university's public records and will take on a new assignment to work with the university's academic and administrative areas in long-range budget planning. Lyon will continue to serve as an assistant to Ford. As vice president for business services and assistant treasurer, Burns will oversee a wide range of system-wide business activities, and will serve as Ford's backup. He also will serve as assistant treasurer and assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees, positions to which he was elected by board members Friday. Ford said an internal search for Burns' successor as vice president for physical facilities will begin immediately. Lyon joined the Purdue business staff in 1964 and has held his current position since 1985. He earlier was budget director and director of fiscal planning. A native of Vernon Center. N.Y., he holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Franklin College. Burns, a native of Cincinnati, joined the Purdue staff in 1967 as a business office trainee. He was named vice president for physical facilities in 1981 after earlier serving as purchasing and general services manager at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, and director of purchases and stores and director of purchases and service enterprises, both at the West Lafayette campus. Burns holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Miami University. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page