Finley Receives Administrative Excellence Award

3-28-96
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Robert C. Finley, assistant to the senior associate vice president for finance and business at Penn State, has been named the winner of the Award for Administrative Excellence.

This award is given annually to a member of the staff of The Pennsylvania State University whose performance methods and achievements exemplify administrative excellence. It will be presented at the Faculty/Staff Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 31 at the Nittany Lion Inn.

Finley, a 1964 graduate of Penn State, has worked at the University for 31 years, having served in his present position for the past seven years. He previously was the Administrative Director of Business Services at University Park and Director of Operations at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

In his current position he has three major functions. He supports the director of business services statewide where he serves as their mentor, consultant, advisor helping them interface with University Park central offices.

His second major assignment is the operation and development of the University Park Airport. Finley works with elected officials at various levels -- from township officials to members of Congress. In recent years his efforts have been key to construction of a new terminal building, major runway improvements, future general aviation building and corporate hangers. All of these projects will exceed $35 million with 95 percent of the funding coming from the Federal and State governments.

Finley's third major assignment is to serve as liaison with number University and local communities. He represents Penn State on 24 major regional planning, transportation and environmental boards.

In nominating him for this award, his colleagues have lauded Finley's managerial skills, people skills and community activities saying they make him an excellent match to the award's criteria.

"In the areas of physical plant, parking, and special projects he has had a major impact on the campuses of CES. He has been a champion for the campuses, often arguing strenuously for equity in allocations of Capital Improvement Funds and major maintenance and renovation funds," said one colleague.

**kyb**