University hires new chief financial officer
WAYNESBURG – John Olon of Pittsburgh has joined Waynesburg University as chief financial officer, the university announced Thursday.
Olon will provide executive level direction and management oversight for financial planning, budgeting and budget analysis.
“Mr. Olon will certainly be an asset to Waynesburg University,” said university President Douglas G. Lee. “With his experience, educational background and strong analytical mind, he will serve the business office and university well.”
Olon will also direct and coordinate the institution’s debt financing and debt service payments, risk management and insurance and purchasing and contract services, as well as accounting and business operations, finance controls and reporting and investment oversight.
Olon brings to Waynesburg University an impressive background as well as an enthusiasm for Christian higher education.
With a blend of experience in both higher education and corporate industry, Olon most recently served as the vice president of financial planning and analysis at Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he directed short- and long-term forecasting, analysis, store performance tracking, supply chain costing and competitor comparisons to promote strategic decision-making and to develop earnings guidance.
Previously, he served in a variety of roles at the Education Management Corp., most recently as vice president/assistant controller. In this role, he directed enterprise accounting operations including general ledger, revenue, fixed assets and financial reporting.
Olon has additional corporate experience as the manager of corporate financial planning and analysis of Alcoa Inc., the world’s leading producer of aluminum, miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina.
A certified public accountant, Olon holds a master’s degree in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University.
He is an active member of Saints John and Paul Parish and is involved in numerous community fundraising committees, including active involvement in support of the Anna Seethaler Hospital (TASH) in Oaxaca, Mexico.