Vanderbilt University has named Delbarton alumnus Rick Petillo ’98 its next vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer. He will begin his new role on November 1.

Petillo brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and corporate finance to Vanderbilt. He currently serves as senior vice president for finance and operations and chief financial officer at Clemson University, where he oversees all financial aspects of the institution.

Since joining Clemson in 2015, Petillo has led more than $1.3 billion in financing initiatives, helped strengthen the university’s financial position and modernized its budget framework and long-range capital planning processes.

At Vanderbilt, Petillo will provide strategic financial leadership for the university’s $2 billion operating enterprise. He will oversee capital and operating budgets, financial reporting, procurement, and debt and treasury management, while leading a team of more than 100 staff members.

Before entering higher education, Petillo spent 15 years in banking and finance with Merrill Lynch, Salomon Smith Barney, Bank of America and First Southwest Company. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his MBA from Clemson University.

Delbarton salutes Rick Petillo ’98 on this impressive achievement and wishes him continued success in his new leadership role at Vanderbilt University.
 

Read the full announcement from Vanderbilt University here.