March 27, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Pat Kaufman, former Vice President of Finance and Accounting for the non-profit Swope Community Enterprises in Kansas City, Mo., has been named Chief Financial Officer at Kansas Athletics. Kaufman starts at KU Monday, April 2. He replaces Susan Wachter, who is retiring this summer.

At Swope since 2005, Kaufman has provided financial leadership for a $50 million system of companies that includes health care, real estate development and urban planning subsidiaries. He managed all accounting and purchasing staff and processes, and led an effort that resulted in the standardization of accounting processes and fiscal policies among the Enterprise’s individual subsidiaries. He directed all aspects of financial reporting, budget preparation, audit and tax management, investment management, fiscal policy and risk management for parent and selected member companies.

Prior to his time at Swope, Kaufman served for five years as Director of Financial Accounting and Grants Administration at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City. There he was the company's top financial employee, reporting directly to the President/CEO.  He directed all aspects of financial management, including financial reporting, financial accounting, audit and tax management, payroll, accounts payable, employee benefits and research grants administration.

Kaufman’s experience also includes seven years at the Sprint Corporation. During his final year he was a Senior Manager of financial accounting. He was also a Senior Auditor at the accounting firm of Deloitte and Touche in Kansas City.

A Certified Public Accountant, Kaufman is a graduate of the University of Kansas, having earned a B.S.B. degree in Accounting and Business Administration.

“Pat has a reputation as a strong financial leader and is known as a person of high character and utmost integrity,” said Sheahon Zenger, KU Director of Athletics. “He brings over 20 years of extensive financial management and accounting experience to Kansas Athletics, including over 12 years of nonprofit financial experience. Pat is the right person to lead our Business Office and financial operations as we move forward.”

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