Tom Connors returns as VP for finance and treasurer
Posted on August 05, 2015 by Staff Writer
In July, shortly after being elected to the College’s newly formed Board of Directors, Tom Connors was asked to instead serve as vice president for finance and treasurer for Sweet Briar. Connors previously held the post from 1986 to 1995.
As chief financial and administrative officer, Connors is responsible for the operation of Sweet Briar’s physical plant and campus safety, chairs several committees on faculty housing, safety, land use and landscape, and serves as the administrative liaison on the Board of Directors’ investments, finance, buildings and grounds and audit committees.
Having served the College for almost a decade when he left 20 years ago, Connors is familiar with his job duties and the campus. But more than that, it’s his family connections that made him come back to Sweet Briar, he says: his aunt, wife and two daughters are all graduates.
“Four out of five of the most important women in my life are Sweet Briar alumnae, so when Phil Stone asked me if I would come back this time and serve as interim vice president [for finance] and treasurer, I did not hesitate in agreeing to do so,” he said.
“This is a pivotal chapter in the life of this wonderful institution, and I want to play a role in returning it to its former greatness.”
After leaving Sweet Briar in 1995, Connors was executive director of the Virginia Engineering Foundation, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, at the University of Virginia until 2004. He previously served as president and chief operating officer at Jet-a-Way Corporation from 1982 to 1986 and executive vice president and chief operating officer at J. W. Burress from 1966 to 1982, both in Roanoke.
Connors, who graduated from Cheshire Academy and Colby College in 1959, was an officer in the Marine Corps, where he served from 1959 to 1962. His previous appointments include trustee of Sweet Briar, Christ School and Massanutten Military Academy, where he was also headmaster.
As chief financial and administrative officer, Connors is responsible for the operation of Sweet Briar’s physical plant and campus safety, chairs several committees on faculty housing, safety, land use and landscape, and serves as the administrative liaison on the Board of Directors’ investments, finance, buildings and grounds and audit committees.
Having served the College for almost a decade when he left 20 years ago, Connors is familiar with his job duties and the campus. But more than that, it’s his family connections that made him come back to Sweet Briar, he says: his aunt, wife and two daughters are all graduates.
“Four out of five of the most important women in my life are Sweet Briar alumnae, so when Phil Stone asked me if I would come back this time and serve as interim vice president [for finance] and treasurer, I did not hesitate in agreeing to do so,” he said.
“This is a pivotal chapter in the life of this wonderful institution, and I want to play a role in returning it to its former greatness.”
After leaving Sweet Briar in 1995, Connors was executive director of the Virginia Engineering Foundation, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, at the University of Virginia until 2004. He previously served as president and chief operating officer at Jet-a-Way Corporation from 1982 to 1986 and executive vice president and chief operating officer at J. W. Burress from 1966 to 1982, both in Roanoke.
Connors, who graduated from Cheshire Academy and Colby College in 1959, was an officer in the Marine Corps, where he served from 1959 to 1962. His previous appointments include trustee of Sweet Briar, Christ School and Massanutten Military Academy, where he was also headmaster.
