Central will begin the search to replace George Clark, chief financial officer and vice president for Business and Financial Affairs, after announcing his resignation last Thursday.

Central President James Gaudino has appointed Joel Klucking interim CFO and vice president for Business and Financial Affairs. Klucking will take over on Feb. 18 when Clark resigns.

Additionally, Gaudino announced the restructuring of Business and Financial Affairs, putting a new focus on enrollment management.

“I’m delighted that Joel has agreed to lead BFA through this reorganization,” Gaudino said. “Joel brings a wealth of experience in finance and tremendous personal credibility throughout the university, the local community, and Puget Sound finance industry.”

It was less than a week ago Gaudino announced Clark’s resignation with “mixed emotions.” Clark has served Central for five years and implemented important and successful changes.

“He’s given us more and better budget information than we’ve ever had,” Gaudino wrote, “George’s analytical and methodical approach was exactly what we needed at a critical time in the history of this university.”

Clark accepted a position as chief financial officer and associate laboratory director for business services at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island New York.

Gaudino said he is not surprised that Clark was targeted for the role but will miss him all the same.

“I’m delighted for George, because he’s going to an incredible job at a world-class research organization,” Gaudino wrote in a press release. “We’ll miss the enthusiasm, professionalism, and optimism George has brought to work at CWU.”