The University of Toledo is welcoming a new executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer.
Dr. J. Lee Johnson, who has held higher education financial leadership roles throughout his career including at the former Medical College of Ohio, will join UToledo Monday, Dec. 2. He most recently was senior vice president for business and finance and treasurer at Siena Heights University.
Johnson
Larry Kelley, who rejoined UToledo in June after leading the University’s financial operations from 2015 to 2018, is stepping down from the role for health reasons.
“I want to thank Larry for being a true advocate for the success of UToledo and for helping our institution during this period of transition. We wish him nothing but the best,” Interim President Matt Schroeder said. “Dr. Johnson is a UToledo graduate who brings a wealth of experience working through organizational change and strategic resource planning that will benefit our University.”
Johnson retired from Siena Heights in 2023 after 18 years with the private liberal arts university in Adrian, Michigan. A certified public accountant, he also has served as the vice president for finance and administration at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan and at the former Medical College of Ohio as treasurer, controller and finance officer.
A peer reviewer and team chair for the Higher Learning Commission, Johnson received the 2018 HLC Outstanding Service Award and was elected in 2018 to the HLC Board of Trustees. He also is a member of the Mount Marty University Board of Trustees and serves as a faculty member for the University of Central Oklahoma’s Educators’ Leadership Academy.
Johnson received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from UToledo and was named the Judith Herb College of Education Distinguished Alumni in 2023. He is past member of the UToledo Alumni Association Board of Trustees and the UToledo Foundation Board of Trustees. Johnson also has a master of business administration from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor of science in business administration in finance from Ohio State University.
