Narvel Weese
Narvel G. Weese Jr. on Tuesday (June 27) announced his retirement from West Virginia University effective Oct. 1, culminating a 37-year career in financial management at the university, the last dozen as vice president of administration and finance.
“Narvel has set a high standard for those who come after him,” President Gordon Gee said. “He has built a creative and innovative team that has helped drive West Virginia University to become a leader in higher education administration.
“He is not satisfied with doing things like they have always been done, but has looked for ways to help make this University strong and to grow and prosper,” Gee said. “He recognizes that without a strong balance sheet, there would be no ability to provide world-class education and conduct the kind of wide-ranging research that happens here.”
Weese came to the University in 1980 as a project cost accountant after graduating from Fairmont State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also holds a Master of Science in safety studies from WVU.
He served in increasingly more responsible positions until 2005 when he was named vice president. In that role, he has overseen five divisions -- finance, facilities and services, human resources/talent and culture, planning and treasury operations and, until 2014, administrative technology solutions -- with approximately 1,400 employees.
During his tenure as vice president, Weese has, among other achievements, led the remaking of the Evansdale campus, and explored and established public-private partnerships that have helped leverage the University’s financial strength. Weese also serves as executive director of the WVU Research Corp. and on the board of directors of Ruby Memorial Hospital, West Virginia University Innovation Corp., and the Campus Neighborhood Revitalization Corp (Sunnyside Up).
“I have spent almost my entire professional career at WVU, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to devote those years,” Weese said. “The University is in a strong position, financially and otherwise, so this is the perfect time to turn over the reins to the next generation of leaders.”
With Weese’s retirement, Gee plans to restructure several key leadership positions.
Rob Alsop, currently vice president for legal, government and entrepreneurial engagement, will become vice president for strategic initiatives, expanding his responsibilities to include financial, budgeting, talent and culture, and facilities while maintaining oversight of corporate and government relations and continue efforts aimed at innovation and entrepreneurship. He will continue to report directly to President Gordon Gee.
Paula Congelio, associate vice president and chief financial officer for WVU Health Sciences, will expand her duties and serve as vice president and chief financial officer for the University, overseeing all financial and budget matters, as well as continuing to oversee financial and related matters for the Health Sciences Center. Congelio will report to Alsop and continue her current reporting relationship to Clay Marsh, vice president for the WVU Health Sciences Center and executive dean for the School of Medicine.
Stephanie Taylor, who as general counsel is the University’s chief legal officer, will report directly to the president; she previously reported to Alsop.
“With this restructuring, the University will not fill the current position of vice president for administration and finance,” Gee said “We will continue our commitment to make the University more agile and simple. This reorganization will allow for a seamless transition as Narvel retires from the University, and will be completed over the next several months.
“The entire University owes Narvel Weese a standing ovation for the often thankless and sometimes invisible leadership he has provided,” Gee added. “We wish him and his wife, Sharon, the very best and know they will forever be Mountaineers.”
-WVU-
jb/06/27/17
CONTACT: John A. Bolt; University Relations/Communications
304.293.5520; john.bolt@mail.wvu.edu