Tech has interim finances official

Arkansas Tech University has a new vice president of finance and administration, on an interim basis, it announced this week.

Walter J. Branson will replace Bernadette Hinkle, who resigned effective July 1. He starts Monday. His annual compensation will be $196,863.

Branson’s most recent job was vice president of finance and operations and chief business officer at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He served in that role from 2017-19, according to his resume.

Before that he spent four years as vice chancellor for finance and administration at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Previous to that, he spent 20 years as vice chancellor for financial affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

He has a bachelor’s degree in forest management and a master’s in industrial administration from Purdue University.

Arkansas Tech will search for a permanent vice president for finance and administration in the spring.

Until then, President Robin Bowen said in a news release that she was glad to have Branson.

“The coming year will present multiple challenges and opportunities as we work together to mitigate and recover from the effects of COVID-19,” she said. “Mr. Branson will be an important member of our executive council as we navigate the 2020-21 fiscal year and position ATU for continued success in fulfilling its mission of student access and student success.”