Accounting alumna, chief financial officer joins Smeal Finance Advisory Board

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of the Penn State Smeal College of Business, has announced that Barbara Telek, a 1985 accounting graduate, recently joined the college’s Finance Advisory Board.

“Barbara brings a great deal of professional experience to our board,” said Whiteman. “With a variety of roles in manufacturing and service organizations, as well as in higher education, I have no doubt she will be a strong advocate for students pursuing careers outside of Wall Street.”

Telek began her professional career as part of GE’s Information Systems Management Training Program. The program offered rotational work assignments in internal audit, financial planning and analysis, and back-office solutions. It also started to give her a sense of how the pieces of business fit together and challenged her to keep learning areas outside of her core competencies ― both things she calls invaluable lessons.

She will start the next chapter of her professional career in October when she assumes the role of chief financial officer for Executive Jet Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company.

Her previous roles include accounting, finance, procurement, human resources and information technology leadership.

“I’ve had a variety of experiences and worked for many great mentors over the years who have influenced my career in such positive ways,” Telek said. “As a board member, I hope to play even a small role in helping a new generation of students prepare to be successful on whatever career path they choose.”

Smeal’s Finance Advisory Board is comprised of alumni in the finance and investment communities. Board members meet twice each year — one time on the University Park campus and one time in New York City — to advise faculty and administration on matters related to the strategic direction of the department, work with students in the classroom and through mentoring roles, facilitate internship opportunities, and encourage research and collaboration between faculty and students. Board members also make a financial commitment to the college in support of innovative programs and services.

“We’re looking forward to Barbara joining the board,” David Marcinek, co-chair and founding member of the board, said. “Her experience, including her recent tenure as a nonprofit CFO, will bring a fresh perspective to our group.”

Fellow co-chair and founding member Craig Chobor echoed Marcinek’s sentiments.

“Barbara is committed to providing opportunities for Smeal students that prepare them for a lifetime of success,” Chobor said. “I am looking forward to working with her.”

Telek said she is excited to connect Smeal’s faculty with the corporate world.

“This is a great opportunity to reconnect with the University, to share my experience with others, and to create connections,” she said. “I can’t wait to get started.”