The NCAA News - News and Features

December 22, 1997

NCAA chooses Isch as new group director

James L. Isch, vice-chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, has been selected as the new NCAA group executive director for finance and information services.

He will join the NCAA senior management staff in spring 1998. In his new position, he will be responsible for the management of finance and business operations, information systems and technology, and travel management staffs.

Isch will also serve as staff liaison to the NCAA Executive Committee.

"We are very pleased he has agreed to join the NCAA staff," said Cedric W. Dempsey, NCAA executive director. "His extensive experience in finance and information services and his national reputation in higher education will provide added strength to our leadership team."

Isch has been in his role as vice-chancellor at Arkansas since 1994 and is one of five vice-chancellors reporting to the chancellor. His areas of responsibility include academic and administrative computing, administrative services, budget, business office, controller, facilities planning, internal auditing, payroll and benefits, personnel, physical plant, purchasing, campus police, risk management, campus safety, and treasurer.

Before his employment at Arkansas, Isch was vice-president for administration at Montana State University, Bozeman, from 1986 to 1994. He was assistant vice-president for facilities planning and budgets at Kansas State University from 1985 to 1986, where he had also served as budget director from 1982 to 1985 and assistant budget officer from 1977 to 1982.

Isch also served as deputy finance officer for the U.S. Army's 8th Infantry Division Finance from 1975 to 1976 and disbursing officer for the 17th Finance Section from 1973 to 1975.

He received bachelor's and doctorate degrees from Kansas State and a master's degree in business administration from Boston University.

He is serving or has served on the boards of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, the Walton Arts Foundation, the Western Association of College and University Business Officers, the Northwest Supercomputing Network Management Committee, the Gallatin Development Corporation, and the Association of Governmental Accountants.

Isch also served as a team member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers Study on the Deregulation of Higher Education and is a member of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers Large Institutions Committee.