Budget director steps down

Acting Budget Director Ben Hoyle has resigned from his post and will be leaving by the end of the month, according to Executive Vice President John Fry. Hoyle, who has held the position for more than a year, will be stepping down in order to become chief financial officer for Pennswood Village, a nonprofit Quaker-directed continuing care retirement community. "I have enjoyed working at Penn very much," Hoyle said. "I started life here at the Veterinary School fifteen-and-a-half years ago as a financial analyst, and through many experiences there and in this office, I have learned a tremendous amount about Penn and managing complex organizations." While at Pennswood Village, Hoyle said he will be responsible for "overall financial management and operations, strategic planning and creating a strategic view for and implementation of new financial and administrative information systems." Although Hoyle enjoyed working at the University, he said he found the outside offer tantalizing. "The hardest part will be saying goodbye to all the people with whom I have developed friendships, and in particular the staff of the Budget Office," he said. "[But] I found that this position offered me the types of challenges and rewards that were very consistent with my personal and professional interests, and for this reason found it very hard to turn down the offer." Stephen Schutt, University President Judith Rodin's chief of staff said Hoyle was a valuable asset to the University. "Ben had been giving substantial attention for a number of months for implementation of a financial system for the University," Schutt said. "We wanted Ben to turn his full attention to this project, while at the same time, we looked to hire a full-time budget director. "Ben has done a great job as acting executive director," Schutt added. "He has ably steered the University's budget office for over a year. While we regret his decision to leave, his new opportunity is an exciting one, and we wish him all the best." Schutt also said the search for a new budget director is moving along as quickly as possible, but there was no indication as to when there would be an announcement regarding the position. Hoyle looked back on his time at the University as an enjoyable experience. "Penn is a wonderful institution because of the people who are its heart and soul," Hoyle said. "I feel extremely honored to have been a small part of it."