Clark State VP for business resigns
CFO leaves after 4 months on job, cites lack of connection.
Clark State Community College’s former vice president for business affairs said he was “not connecting well” with his new role in a resignation letter submitted to college officials last week.
John Devillier, who had served only four months in the position, submitted the letter of resignation on Oct. 3. Devillier was hired in June to serve as chief financial officer for the community college. He previously served as commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he was in charge of about 5,500 personnel and an annual budget of $300 million.
A review of Devillier’s personnel file by the Springfield News-Sun didn’t reveal any disciplinary action. In his resignation letter, he said he didn’t see himself remaining with the college long-term.
“My heart and passion is teaching and not administration and one of the reasons I retired from the Air Force was to spend more time in the classroom with students and to have more flexibility in being there for my family,” Devillier says in the letter.
Information from his personnel file shows his salary was $130,000 per year.
“I realize you are disappointed but I know deep down that I am not connecting well with my new role and my resignation is in the best interest for all parties,” he says in his resignation letter.
In his role at Clark State, Devillier was charged with overseeing business operations at the college’s campuses in Springfield, Beavercreek and Bellefontaine. He was in charge of strategic and financial planning for the college and also managed operations that included human resources and training, facilities and grounds, food services and public safety.
Clark State leaders praised his efforts for the community college.
“John had made progress on many fronts in a short time, including improvements to new employee orientation, contract review and prioritizing deferred maintenance projects,” said Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin in a news release. “We enjoyed working with him and wish him the very best.”
Larry Wakefield, the former interim vice president for business affairs, will again serve in that role through June 2018. A search committee will be formed this fall to look for a permanent replacement.
At Wright-Patterson, Devillier oversaw logistics operations, along with engineering, medical, communication, security and employees relations duties, among other responsibilities. He was also previously served as a special assistant for general flag officer matters for the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.