Dear Carleton community,
I am delighted to announce that, following a national search, Eric J. Runestad will become the College’s new Vice President and Treasurer. Eric is currently serving as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa. He will assume his new position at Carleton on July 1, 2020, following the retirement of Fred Rogers ’72.
Eric is going to make an exceptional Vice President and Treasurer. His intelligence, integrity, strong communication skills, ability to work effectively with others, and especially his record of proven leadership at Luther in managing the finances and operations of a liberal arts college should give Carleton great confidence in what to expect from our new colleague.
Since coming to Luther in 2015, Runestad has had responsibility for leading and directing all of the college’s varied business operations, including finance, accounting, facilities, capital planning, risk management, human resources, information technology, book store and dining services. He has helped Luther manage fiscal pressures in a wise way, and implemented a number of key changes, such as revamping annual and long-range budget processes in order to improve the college’s ability to manage its resources wisely.
Eric previously served as Director of Business Services at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota, from 2012-2015. In this role, he developed highly effective fiscal management policies and procedures, provided financial forecasting, oversaw all audit activities, and supervised the risk management function.
Prior to that, and reflecting his strong background in arts management, Eric worked for six years as Director of Cultural Events, Music Organizations and Program Operations at his undergraduate alma mater, Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota., He has also served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin School Music Association and Music Educators Association, and the Minnesota Music Educators Association.
A magna cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and mathematics from Concordia, Eric has also earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State University.
Throughout his career, in each town where he and his family have lived and worked, Eric has made it a priority to volunteer as a board member, teach, or coach with local arts, youth support, economic development and other community organizations. I know he will bring this same ethos of service to our region and to our College.
I’d like to thank the search committee for its outstanding work in helping us recruit and land such a talented and energetic new Vice President and Treasurer: Bev Nagel (chair), Steve Drew, Liz Raleigh, Melanie Cashin, Kristen Askeland, trustee Steve Parrish, and Anesu Masakura ’20.
I also want to extend my gratitude to Fred Rogers, who will be formally recognized for his many contributions to Carleton in the months leading up to his retirement.
Steve Poskanzer