Masch devotes time to learning

With the calendar nearing August, many administrators are squeezing in vacation days, but Michael Masch is working double overtime. As Executive Director of Budget and Management Analysis, Masch arrived at Penn one and a half months ago. He was a recruited stand-out from Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell's budget office. "I think I have to meet with 500 people this summer," Masch said. "There are many details I need to learn about how the University works." Complete knowledge of Penn's operations is a key section of Masch's three-part job -- the responsibility for constructing, monitoring and adjusting the University's budget. Masch said there are several similarities between his city job and managing the University's annual budget process while crafting long-term financial plans. "Any large organization does similar things," Masch explained. "Both the city of Philadelphia and Penn buy things, manage real estate and run computer systems." As an example, he cited the University's recent implementation of the finMIS system. Masch said the city began a similar computerized accounting program last year. Next to the city government, Masch said there is no organization in Philadelphia that is as complex and challenging as Penn. "I just got in on the tail end of this year's budget plan," Masch said. "Right now I am still in the learning mode." Masch said it is necessary to view any budget as a projection, then continually update the original plan. Using this process is the key to preventing a deficit, he added. In the future Masch said he may make suggestions for improvements, but at this point he wants to concentrate on fully understanding every department. "I am very skeptical of administrators who rush in and quickly make a lot of changes," Masch said. "That's not my style." University President Judith Rodin recruited Masch when he was director of Philadelphia's Office of Budget and Program Evaluation. Masch said he wasn't looking to change jobs at the time, but decided to cut short his time with Rendell. "Our loss is Penn's gain," the mayor said after the resignation was announced. Masch said he is enjoying his time at the University and hopes to eventually maximize all services. A native Philadelphian, Masch attended Temple University as an undergraduate, where he majored in urban studies. He went on to study public policy analysis at Penn.